Today was one of those days that never had a chance. Fought my youngest to go to sleep for an hour last night. When she finally made it to sleep my oldest woke up every hour almost asking for me to wipe her nose. To top it off my youngest decides to wake me up at 5 am screaming to get out of her room. When it was finally my "official" time to get up I was already in the throws of a major melt down!! In my mind I was asking the Lord for help. I knew already that if I didn't get a handle on this day then it was just going to spiral me into a complete oblivion.
I was standing at the sink singing:
"I need just a little more mercy than you gave me yesterday.
Just a little more strength the battles a little bit harder today.
I need a bit more of that water of life to keep my soul alive.
I want to be ready I want to be in your Bride."
I got up and began moving around and preparing for the day. I sat down on the couch exhausted beyond belief and decided that I could not stay in this house. If I did I was going to lose it completely. I needed a distraction for a little while. I needed fabric softener and some stuff for the girls' Easter outfits so I headed to the store. There my 2 children proceeded to each have their own little melt downs resulting in me screaming at both of them the moment we got back into the car. Not a good day and it was only noon. When I began to put them to bed my youngest begins screaming. This is a new habit she has formed in the last 3 days. Last night she literally screamed so hard she puked!! So for nap today she starts all this over again. I had absolutely no patience left. I had left it all in "yesterday" and it hadn't caught up with "today". I started screaming at the top of my lungs "JESUS I NEED YOUR HELP RIGHT NOW"!!! I didn't know what else to do. All I knew was that if I didn't get help I was going to put my head through a wall (not literally of course that's just how I felt). They stopped screaming and so I went to my knees in their room and started praying (a little calmer now). I was asking the Lord to help my youngest feel peace in her room so that she could sleep and that He would let me calm down and see it from a different perspective. By the end I still had to be firm with her to get her to lay down; but she has now been asleep for about an hour and a half. I realized it as I sat here that I could feel "my crazy" melting away. That's what I call this feeling that sometimes comes out. I say "oops...my crazy is showing". N-e-ways, I am thankful that even in the midst of desperation He is there. He hears me and answers. I still have to learn to control my crazy; but He is right there to help when I need Him.
I have been singing "Heaven is not so far away" all week and I am learning that that is true. I can change my elevation in the midst of situations by calling on the Lord. I hope to remember this in situations to come. At His name every knee shall bow!!!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Heaven is not so far away!!!
When we sing and shout and pray.
For our Father lends an ear.
Jesus presence is so near.
Heavenly hosts will help us sing
Glorious praises to our King.
We can live there from day to day
HEAVEN IS NOOOOOOOOTTTT SO FAR AWAY!!!
"Trying to learn to ABIDE in 2nd Heaven." Bro. Gary Wright
Heaven is a condition we can get into and live in day to day. We can cook, clean, train our children, and go to work in 2nd Heaven. Let's change our elevation to day. Maybe for just one day. And maybe that can lead to another day, and another day, and another!!!
Heaven is Noooooooootttttt so far away!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Galveston 2011
We spent the last 2 days relaxing and doing nothing. I KNOW who'd a thunk it!!!
We stayed for 2 days and one night at Jamaica Beach in Galveston, TX. We played in the sand, built sand castles; and just plain enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Lord for this time. Thank you Lord for my little family.
Cute little dirty shoes!!
I loved this picture.
and...
a couple little dirty legs...
I thought this was a cute idea.
Daddy made the castle...
Mommy made the mote...
And the girls added the duckies :o)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Got these in an email and thought they were adorable!!!
*********************************************************************
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . ...
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
Mark - a ge 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
*********************************************************************
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . ...
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
Mark - a ge 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Expectations
I was sitting here thinking on something and thought I would put the question out there to you. As a woman I feel like I should be able to do it all. Maybe if I plan it perfect, or give up a little more sleep maybe I can be the super woman I have envisioned for myself. All the while keeping my spirit right!! I realize that these are unrealistic expectations; but somewhere in our make up as a woman we feel this is a requirement. I know that I put harsh requirements on myself everyday and that when I fail to meet them I get discouraged and give up a little. When I got married I had high hopes of being the perfect wife. I am not. When I had children I decided that I was going to be the greatest mom EVER. I am not. My question is this...
How do I strive for the Bride; and be a mom, and a wife? All at the same time? If I give 100% to each that is 300%. It seems that when I give one the proper attention the other gets neglected. How do I set reasonable standards for myself and learn to juggle?
Please feel free to reply.
How do I strive for the Bride; and be a mom, and a wife? All at the same time? If I give 100% to each that is 300%. It seems that when I give one the proper attention the other gets neglected. How do I set reasonable standards for myself and learn to juggle?
Please feel free to reply.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Battleship of TEXAS
Today we had a great day just being a normal family.
We went with our church to The San Jacinto Monument and The Battleship of TEXAS.
We packed a lunch and had a picnic. When we were done we ate snow cones in the park.
It was so nice to get away (even for a little while) and just be a family. It is so easy to get caught up in life; but then the Lord gives us these little days to remind us of how good life really is. We had so much fun and I am thankful for this day with my family.
We went with our church to The San Jacinto Monument and The Battleship of TEXAS.
We packed a lunch and had a picnic. When we were done we ate snow cones in the park.
It was so nice to get away (even for a little while) and just be a family. It is so easy to get caught up in life; but then the Lord gives us these little days to remind us of how good life really is. We had so much fun and I am thankful for this day with my family.
Friday, April 1, 2011
DailySchedule
I'm sure this will have to be revised; but it's a start.
And no I probably will not stick to the exact time.
7:30 am – Wake up. Read Bible. Pray. Get dressed.
8:00 am – Throw a load of laundry in. Start getting things set for the morning routine.
Breakfast/clean up for the kiddos.
9:00 am – Start School.
Group time – Prayer and Bible verse for the day.
9:30 am – Work books or pages
10:00 am – Work box activity. Switch out laundry. Put away dishes. Get craft ready.
11:00 am – Outside play
12:00 pm – Free play while I make lunch.
12:30 pm - Clean up and wash hands.
1:00 pm – Lunch. Clean up. Story/Quiet time.
2:00 – 3:30 pm - Nap time. Mommy quiet time.
3:30 pm – Wake up the kiddos. Signing times or other educational DVD.
4:00 pm - Craft time. Or coloring. Play dough. Etc…
5:00 pm - Free Play while I make dinner.
6:30 pm – Dinner and clean up
7:30 pm – Play with Mommy and Daddy
8:30 pm - Baths and quiet time before bed.
9:00 pm – Kiddos to bed. My prep for the next day and pick up.
10:30 pm – Go to bed!!!
And no I probably will not stick to the exact time.
Daily Schedule
(Monday – Friday)
7:30 am – Wake up. Read Bible. Pray. Get dressed.
8:00 am – Throw a load of laundry in. Start getting things set for the morning routine.
Breakfast/clean up for the kiddos.
9:00 am – Start School.
Group time – Prayer and Bible verse for the day.
9:30 am – Work books or pages
10:00 am – Work box activity. Switch out laundry. Put away dishes. Get craft ready.
11:00 am – Outside play
12:00 pm – Free play while I make lunch.
12:30 pm - Clean up and wash hands.
1:00 pm – Lunch. Clean up. Story/Quiet time.
2:00 – 3:30 pm - Nap time. Mommy quiet time.
3:30 pm – Wake up the kiddos. Signing times or other educational DVD.
4:00 pm - Craft time. Or coloring. Play dough. Etc…
5:00 pm - Free Play while I make dinner.
6:30 pm – Dinner and clean up
7:30 pm – Play with Mommy and Daddy
8:30 pm - Baths and quiet time before bed.
9:00 pm – Kiddos to bed. My prep for the next day and pick up.
10:30 pm – Go to bed!!!
Do I have what it takes? No; but HE does.
Sophia our first born is reaching the age to where it is time to start thinking about her education. She is only 3; but already I can tell that she is becoming very bored with her everyday life of playing. She needs more. As I started thinking about all this I began thinking about my options. Option 1 - We found a great little mother's day out down the street that she absolutely loved. Option 2 - I could try to invent ideas to try and occupy her. Option 3 - to put her in 2 day mother's day out for the social reasons and then spend my 5 days at home with her teaching her myself. Or we could continue on this path that we are on. Not an option anymore. My children need more. I need more.
I have found in my life that I am a very schedule oriented person. Even though I don't have one written out I tend to do the same things in the same order every time. I have also learned in the last few months that when something interrupts that unwritten schedule my whole world falls apart. Not good as life always happens. I need a schedule; but I need one that is flexible and leaves room for life to happen.
I have gotten so off kilter lately that I have felt that I have been going around in circles. No progress. Now that the Lord has helped me with my relationship with Phillip I think He is moving on to my relationship with my children. I am going to say this and you may disagree or even laugh...now that we are moving into this new stage in our lives (preschool) I must admit that infancy was easier. I know with all the craziness of that it sounds crazy; but I think it's true. They couldn't talk back and I could appease them with a bottle or food. LOL!! It doesn't work like that anymore. I find myself losing my temper now more than ever before. Over silly stuff. The lessons are getting harder. Lord help me when I have 2 teenagers in the house!!!
In my quest for organization I am finding that not just my home needs organizing; but my life. I have just kind of went along with the flow and now it is catching up with me. If I don't take hold (with the Lord's help of course) of my days I am just giving them over to whatever decides it's interested. I keep thinking about places in the Bible that talk about the unprofitable servant, and the slothful; and worse yet the house that was clean and swept.
I could continue on; but I will get to the point. I am horrible about planning and follow through. That would be the Choleric part of me. I can plan like a champ; but my follow through is lacking. So I am asking for your prayers as I go on this journey. It is MY job as a mother to teach my children the way to go; and I feel that need so much lately. I have been neglectful in this area of my home and the Lord has really been dealing with me about this. As I'm sure you can tell by my previous posts. I want my husband and children to call me blessed. Not because I am so great; but because I did everything I could to make them feel great!!! I want Christ's love to shine through like never before. How can I expect to be a true and faithful witness for the Lord if my life does not back up my words? Lord help me.
Once I figure it out I will post my schedule on here as a kind of accountability test. Maybe if I know you all are watching me I will be more apt to doing it. I am giving it a month in which I will try to work all the kinks out and then hopefully starting in September we will be off to the races. I feel my inadequacies very strongly; but I feel the need for a change. I know that I do not have the strength; but HE does.
I have found in my life that I am a very schedule oriented person. Even though I don't have one written out I tend to do the same things in the same order every time. I have also learned in the last few months that when something interrupts that unwritten schedule my whole world falls apart. Not good as life always happens. I need a schedule; but I need one that is flexible and leaves room for life to happen.
I have gotten so off kilter lately that I have felt that I have been going around in circles. No progress. Now that the Lord has helped me with my relationship with Phillip I think He is moving on to my relationship with my children. I am going to say this and you may disagree or even laugh...now that we are moving into this new stage in our lives (preschool) I must admit that infancy was easier. I know with all the craziness of that it sounds crazy; but I think it's true. They couldn't talk back and I could appease them with a bottle or food. LOL!! It doesn't work like that anymore. I find myself losing my temper now more than ever before. Over silly stuff. The lessons are getting harder. Lord help me when I have 2 teenagers in the house!!!
In my quest for organization I am finding that not just my home needs organizing; but my life. I have just kind of went along with the flow and now it is catching up with me. If I don't take hold (with the Lord's help of course) of my days I am just giving them over to whatever decides it's interested. I keep thinking about places in the Bible that talk about the unprofitable servant, and the slothful; and worse yet the house that was clean and swept.
I could continue on; but I will get to the point. I am horrible about planning and follow through. That would be the Choleric part of me. I can plan like a champ; but my follow through is lacking. So I am asking for your prayers as I go on this journey. It is MY job as a mother to teach my children the way to go; and I feel that need so much lately. I have been neglectful in this area of my home and the Lord has really been dealing with me about this. As I'm sure you can tell by my previous posts. I want my husband and children to call me blessed. Not because I am so great; but because I did everything I could to make them feel great!!! I want Christ's love to shine through like never before. How can I expect to be a true and faithful witness for the Lord if my life does not back up my words? Lord help me.
Once I figure it out I will post my schedule on here as a kind of accountability test. Maybe if I know you all are watching me I will be more apt to doing it. I am giving it a month in which I will try to work all the kinks out and then hopefully starting in September we will be off to the races. I feel my inadequacies very strongly; but I feel the need for a change. I know that I do not have the strength; but HE does.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)