Podcast Interviews With The Nester 2024
1 week ago
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Check out my new blog!
So, since I use this blog mostly for my own thoughts and ramblings I decided to start a blog updating others on what our family is up to. Check it out... http://lifewiththelittlers.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
I LOVE Christmas
So, I have a confession... I LOVE Christmas! I mean, I LOVE it! I love the decorations, food, candlelight services, Christmas music... I LOVE it! I even bought this C.D. this week and can't stop listening to it and we haven't even hit Thanksgiving yet. But, I don't care because I LOVE Christmas. I get so wrapped up in the amazingness that is Christmas. Jesus Christ came to earth to live among us... Except I have a confession to make. I also hate Christmas. I can't believe I let those words slip out of my mouth... or my fingers. Christmas (especially since becoming an adult) can be SO stressful. There is so much shopping to do and the expectations are so high to attend every Christmas celebration your friends and family throw... even if it is to celebrate with people you haven't seen since last Christmas and that you would never hear from if Christmas didn't exist! I hate the hustle and bustle of it.
Whenever I imagine sharing the wonder of Christmas with my family I don't imagine running through a crowded mall, I don't imagine hours in line at the post office, I don't imagine taking them to gathering after gathering of people they don't even know who spend the whole time yelling at each other or talking badly about the family members who aren't there. Because, honestly, I don't want them to know that that is what Christmas has become. I don't want them to know that the birth of our Savior has become about people and what they want. I guess, part of me wants to shield them.
I want them to think that Christmas is about Jesus. That Christmas is about worship and rejoicing in a birth that saved our lives! I want them to think that Christmas is about giving. Not just giving to our friends and families who have everything they need, but about giving to people who are really in need. I want them so see the beauty of being blessed on Christmas morning. I want them to see that Christmas is a time of quiet reflection. I want them to have time to enjoy Chrismas.
I know that I will be dissapointing people this Christmas. And as a perpetual people pleaser I hate this. But, my job is not to make people happy. My job is to raise children that know and love the Lord. In the end nothing else matters. And I believe that making Christmas special and meaningful is a good start to that. And honestly, I want to experience the wonder of Christmas again!
So, this Christmas we are listening to lots of Christmas music about Jesus. (Max has already told me he LOVES to sing Christmas music about Jesus), we will be celebrating Advent, we will be giving and doing it with our children, and we will be spending time together, talking and learning. And we WILL be doing the fun stuff! We will be decorating, buying gifts, wrapping gifts, making food, going to parties. Just not on the same level. We will not let the optional fun things take over the important things.
And I can't tell you how excited I am for Christmas this year!!
Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sorry Dr. Dobson...
I feel I must appologize to Dr. Dobson (I am sure he has been anxiously awaiting this moment, ha!) But, we have been doing a small group through out church called, "Essentials of Discipline", based off of Dr. Dobson's books, mostly, "The New Dare to Discipline" and it is AWESOME! I am LOVING it! After actually reading this study and "The Strong Willed Child" I am learning so much. I think I was fed a lot of misinformation about what Dr. Dobson teaches and seen a lot of parents who claim to follow Dr. Dobson but don't.
The biggest thing I am learning about discipline is the importance of not getting angry. It is so easy to take kids misbehavior personally. I am learning to discipline calmly and with love and feel like the results are amazing. I always thought yelling at your kids was just a part of parenting. But, I am learning that there is no room in proper discipline for yelling and throwing fits... ESPECIALLY when that is what you are trying to get your children to stop doing!
I LOVE all that I am learning and I LOVE that my husband and I are totally on the same page. Nick is a little ahead of me as far as staying totally calm and being consistent (I tend to let things slide and not follow through and get too emotional) but I am getting there too! It is neat to see Max know what to expect when he disobeys and it is neat to see how much he really seems to take in our little talks after a time out and he is ready for a big hug and right back to playing!
So, if you are looking for a parenting book please don't shy away from Dr. Dobson because of me! I think he is a lot of wisdom to share and I for one am grateful for it!
The biggest thing I am learning about discipline is the importance of not getting angry. It is so easy to take kids misbehavior personally. I am learning to discipline calmly and with love and feel like the results are amazing. I always thought yelling at your kids was just a part of parenting. But, I am learning that there is no room in proper discipline for yelling and throwing fits... ESPECIALLY when that is what you are trying to get your children to stop doing!
I LOVE all that I am learning and I LOVE that my husband and I are totally on the same page. Nick is a little ahead of me as far as staying totally calm and being consistent (I tend to let things slide and not follow through and get too emotional) but I am getting there too! It is neat to see Max know what to expect when he disobeys and it is neat to see how much he really seems to take in our little talks after a time out and he is ready for a big hug and right back to playing!
So, if you are looking for a parenting book please don't shy away from Dr. Dobson because of me! I think he is a lot of wisdom to share and I for one am grateful for it!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What's new...
Wow, I am such a blog slacker lately! I have been in one of those ruts where I feel like I have so much to say that I don't say anything!
So, let's stat out with... what's new? We are about 3 weeks and 1 day from closing on our house! Score! It is looking great. We went by last night to take pictures (however, when we got there the battery was dead!) and they had lots of new things done. Shutters were on, outdoor lighting was up, trim was painted, countertops were on, a few of the appliances were in and the HVAC was working. It is really starting to come together! Although, I am totally stressed out about getting everything done! I don't want to move a bunch of junk into a brand new beautiful house so I am really trying to weed out stuff. But, it is a huge challenge because a lot of stuff is in storage. Anyway, it is a mess! But, somehow I am sure it will all come together in the end!
The kids are doing great. Sophie is doing a little better about sleeping through the night which is a HUGE praise. Max is doing great. He has a new girlfriend... the girl who works the drive thru at McDonalds. He is in love. The first time he saw her Nick was driving through and they get to the window and Max says, "Look Daddy, its a giiiirl (as if the word is 8 syllables!). It is a nice girl". Then the next time we drove through she wasn't there. Max says, "That's not a girl" and cries a little! Then I drove through yesterday and there she was... "Mommy! Mommy! It's a girl!! She's a giiiiirl. She's a nice giiirl!" That boy cracks me up. (Oh, and no judging how much we go to McDonalds! It is none of your business;-) Ha!
Hope all is well with all of you! I am loving reading everyone else's blogs so much right now!
So, let's stat out with... what's new? We are about 3 weeks and 1 day from closing on our house! Score! It is looking great. We went by last night to take pictures (however, when we got there the battery was dead!) and they had lots of new things done. Shutters were on, outdoor lighting was up, trim was painted, countertops were on, a few of the appliances were in and the HVAC was working. It is really starting to come together! Although, I am totally stressed out about getting everything done! I don't want to move a bunch of junk into a brand new beautiful house so I am really trying to weed out stuff. But, it is a huge challenge because a lot of stuff is in storage. Anyway, it is a mess! But, somehow I am sure it will all come together in the end!
The kids are doing great. Sophie is doing a little better about sleeping through the night which is a HUGE praise. Max is doing great. He has a new girlfriend... the girl who works the drive thru at McDonalds. He is in love. The first time he saw her Nick was driving through and they get to the window and Max says, "Look Daddy, its a giiiirl (as if the word is 8 syllables!). It is a nice girl". Then the next time we drove through she wasn't there. Max says, "That's not a girl" and cries a little! Then I drove through yesterday and there she was... "Mommy! Mommy! It's a girl!! She's a giiiiirl. She's a nice giiirl!" That boy cracks me up. (Oh, and no judging how much we go to McDonalds! It is none of your business;-) Ha!
Hope all is well with all of you! I am loving reading everyone else's blogs so much right now!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The best week ever!
I am so happy and excited because this week I get to spend time with 2 of my best friends in the whole world! The only thing better would be to get to see them both at the same time! But, I am still pumped! My friend Sarah and her husband are coming into town and we are going out to dinner with them Saturday night. I am so excited because it will be a grown-up dinner so we will actually be able to TALK! Then next week Wednesday and Thursday I get to hang out with my friend Christina! Her husband will be in town on business so she is coming too! It will be so fun! It is always crazy because between the two of us we have 4 children... but we make them nap and then have hours of wonderful conversation! I can't wait!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Quotes on Socialism
These were forwarded to me and I thought they were worth sharing! They definitly left me thinking about where our government is headed these days!
"The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level."
-- Norman Mailer
"In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other."
-- Voltaire
"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery."
-- Winston Churchill
"You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money."
-- P. J. O'Rourke
"Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
-- Thomas Sowell
"Under communist rule in the Soviet Union, the 3 percent of agricultural land that was privately farmed by people who kept part of the profits from their efforts supplied the majority of all farm produce. It is not simply that bureaucracy is inefficient. Any form of production that is not based on material reward will not operate efficiently."
-- Steven E Plaut, "The Joy Of Capitalism"
"A government policy to rob Peter to pay Paul can be assured of the support of Paul."
-- George Bernard Shaw
"Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries."
-- Douglas Casey
"Everybody's property is nobody's property. Wealth that is free for all is valued by none because he who is foolhardy enough to wait for its proper time of use will only find that it has been taken by another. The blade of grass that the manorial cowherd leaves behind is valueless to him, for tomorrow it may be eaten by another aninal; the oil left under the earth is valueless to the driller, for another may legally take it; the fish in the sea are valueless to the fisherman, because there is no assurance that they will be there for him tomorrow if they are left behind today."
-- Scott Gordon
"Socialism is the doctrine that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that his life and his work do not belong to him, but belong to society, that the only justification of his existence is his service to society, and that society may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good."
-- Ayn Rand
"To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, 'the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, and the fruits acquired by it.'"
-- Thomas Jefferson
"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."
-- G. Gordon Liddy
"Communism is exploitation of the strong by the weak."
-- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-- C.S. Lewis
"How do you tell a Communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an Anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."
-- Ronald Reagan
"Collectivism doesn't work because it's based on a faulty economic premise. There is no such thing as a person's 'fair share' of wealth. The gross national product is not a pizza that must be carefully divided because if I get too many slices, you have to eat the box. The economy is expandable and, in any practical sense, limitless."
-- P. J. O'Rourke, "How to Explain Conservatism"
"The most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. Therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive."
-- Thomas Sowell
"You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
-- Rev. William J. H. Boetcker*
* - This quote is often erroneously attributed to Abraham Lincoln
"The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level."
-- Norman Mailer
"In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other."
-- Voltaire
"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery."
-- Winston Churchill
"You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money."
-- P. J. O'Rourke
"Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
-- Thomas Sowell
"Under communist rule in the Soviet Union, the 3 percent of agricultural land that was privately farmed by people who kept part of the profits from their efforts supplied the majority of all farm produce. It is not simply that bureaucracy is inefficient. Any form of production that is not based on material reward will not operate efficiently."
-- Steven E Plaut, "The Joy Of Capitalism"
"A government policy to rob Peter to pay Paul can be assured of the support of Paul."
-- George Bernard Shaw
"Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries."
-- Douglas Casey
"Everybody's property is nobody's property. Wealth that is free for all is valued by none because he who is foolhardy enough to wait for its proper time of use will only find that it has been taken by another. The blade of grass that the manorial cowherd leaves behind is valueless to him, for tomorrow it may be eaten by another aninal; the oil left under the earth is valueless to the driller, for another may legally take it; the fish in the sea are valueless to the fisherman, because there is no assurance that they will be there for him tomorrow if they are left behind today."
-- Scott Gordon
"Socialism is the doctrine that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that his life and his work do not belong to him, but belong to society, that the only justification of his existence is his service to society, and that society may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good."
-- Ayn Rand
"To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, 'the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, and the fruits acquired by it.'"
-- Thomas Jefferson
"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."
-- G. Gordon Liddy
"Communism is exploitation of the strong by the weak."
-- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-- C.S. Lewis
"How do you tell a Communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an Anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."
-- Ronald Reagan
"Collectivism doesn't work because it's based on a faulty economic premise. There is no such thing as a person's 'fair share' of wealth. The gross national product is not a pizza that must be carefully divided because if I get too many slices, you have to eat the box. The economy is expandable and, in any practical sense, limitless."
-- P. J. O'Rourke, "How to Explain Conservatism"
"The most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. Therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive."
-- Thomas Sowell
"You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
-- Rev. William J. H. Boetcker*
* - This quote is often erroneously attributed to Abraham Lincoln
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sophie's Baby Dedication
Our church did a baby dedication this weekend and we had Sophie dedicated. I loved it! Here are a few pictures of our little girl's special day!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Song of Songs
I just wanted to share with all of you girls that read this that my husband and I are currently watching a sermon series online that focuses on Song of Songs and it is PHENOMENAL! It is a series called "The Peasant Princess" by Pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church. I know some people thing Mark Driscoll is controversial and some people don't like him, but Nick and I are big fans after listening to his "Men and Marriage" sermons and lots of others. We learn so much! It is a big time commitment, I think there are like 11 sermons and they are about an hour long but they are so good! So, if you are looking for a way to sit and connect and learn with your husband I absolutely reccomend listening to this series together! It is transforming my mind in an awesome way!! http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/the-peasant-princess
P.S. The sermons aren't in order so scroll down and find Part 1 first!
P.S. The sermons aren't in order so scroll down and find Part 1 first!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Almost 1!
I can't believe our little girl will be 1 year old on Friday!
It is so cliche but I feel like she was just born yesterday! We are so blessed by her life! She is the spunkiest little girl and has so much personality for a baby! We are planning a big family birthday party on Friday for her. We are doing a shrimp boil and having cupcakes. Everything will be hot pink, light pink, and brown. I am trying to convince everyone to wear pink! I bought some plain pink t-shirts on sale today for those who might come unprepared... like my dad! :-) Hehe! I will post pictures next week!
It is so cliche but I feel like she was just born yesterday! We are so blessed by her life! She is the spunkiest little girl and has so much personality for a baby! We are planning a big family birthday party on Friday for her. We are doing a shrimp boil and having cupcakes. Everything will be hot pink, light pink, and brown. I am trying to convince everyone to wear pink! I bought some plain pink t-shirts on sale today for those who might come unprepared... like my dad! :-) Hehe! I will post pictures next week!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Our new home
I am SO excited about the progress of our new home! This home is totally our dream house! We never thought we would be able to afford a home this beautiful but through God providing Nick the severance from Brown Shoe our dream is totally becoming a reality!
Living with my grandma this past year has been beyond a blessing for our family. My grandma has given us the biggest gift and I could never begin to thank or repay her for all she has done. But, I am excited to be in my own home again and be our little Ramsey family by ourselves!
Living with my grandma this past year has been beyond a blessing for our family. My grandma has given us the biggest gift and I could never begin to thank or repay her for all she has done. But, I am excited to be in my own home again and be our little Ramsey family by ourselves!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The great TV debate
Did y'all read Stuff Christians Like today. If you aren't reading this blog you are seriously missing out! I love it!
Anyway, the topic was judging Christians that watch TV. I really liked this message because it was something I really think a lot about. To be honest, I LOVE TV! I love HGTV, TLC, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, The View... I love it all. But, there is one thing I really struggle with. Almost every show I watch (except HGTV and the Duggars of course!) I totally have moral issues with. So, sometimes I ask myself this big question... If I couldn't mention church or the fact that I go to church, and I couldn't directly talk about God, would anyone be able to tell at all that I am a Christian? I guess I am wondering if I am totally blending in to this world and it scares me. And it scares me that a lot of the Christians I know, when I see them outside of a church building, I would never in a million years guess that they were Christians. And I have a feeling the same thing could be said about me. I am not saying I want to go out and buy myself a denim jumper and grow my hair out to my ankles and have 14 kids and raise chickens in a home with no electricity. I am not saying I want to ban every book from my home besides the Bible and every DVD from my children's collection that isn't Veggie Tales. I am just saying that at the end of the day I would love for people to look at my life as a little bit different.
That is just what I am thinking about today... thanks for listening to my randomness!
Anyway, the topic was judging Christians that watch TV. I really liked this message because it was something I really think a lot about. To be honest, I LOVE TV! I love HGTV, TLC, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, The View... I love it all. But, there is one thing I really struggle with. Almost every show I watch (except HGTV and the Duggars of course!) I totally have moral issues with. So, sometimes I ask myself this big question... If I couldn't mention church or the fact that I go to church, and I couldn't directly talk about God, would anyone be able to tell at all that I am a Christian? I guess I am wondering if I am totally blending in to this world and it scares me. And it scares me that a lot of the Christians I know, when I see them outside of a church building, I would never in a million years guess that they were Christians. And I have a feeling the same thing could be said about me. I am not saying I want to go out and buy myself a denim jumper and grow my hair out to my ankles and have 14 kids and raise chickens in a home with no electricity. I am not saying I want to ban every book from my home besides the Bible and every DVD from my children's collection that isn't Veggie Tales. I am just saying that at the end of the day I would love for people to look at my life as a little bit different.
That is just what I am thinking about today... thanks for listening to my randomness!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It's Easy Being Green
Okay, so I am BY NO MEANS an expert on "living green"! Infact, I didn't even recycle when I lived in Nixa (please don't tell anyone! I know throwing away a can is shameful!)
Recently we were at the St. Louis Zoo and we stopped to watch a little presentation on Missouri animals. They showed us this big toad. The lady explained that he is so important to keeping mosquito and other populations down. However, many of these animals are dying off because of contaminants in their environment. People's cleaning chemicals are destroying them. It was a huge reminder on the beautiful and delicate balance God created for our earth. Every animal was so carefully planned to benefit the entire life system. So, I absolutely want to try to do my part to help protect my Creator's creation!
Here are some of the easy things I have been doing to "live green" for Jesus!
- I use reusable bags at the grocery store... so easy! If I get plastic ones I make sure I use them for trash liners and such. But, when possible I make sure to just dump all my trash into the biggest bag... I don't need a trash bag filled with 20 plastic bags! Plus, I LOVE my reusable bags from Trader Joe's, they are so cute!
- Use a reusable plastic water bottle... I bought an aluminum one which is awesome because it is BPA free so I know I am not ingesting nasty chemicals when I am trying to be healthy and it keeps my water cooler!
- I use natural cleaning products almost exclusively. I REALLY like the Method cleaning products they sell at Target. Aside from protecting the toads (haha) I love knowing that I can clean around my kids and not worry about the sometimes deadly side effects of them inhaling cleaning products!
- Okay, this is my new one and it is HARD for me... but when I am buying things (especially furniture or baby gear) I ask myself a few questions: Do I already have something that could work? Could I make something from things I already have? Can I buy this used? This is good for the environment and the pocket book!
- Turn off everything when not in use! I have taught Max to be my little helper in this area. He LOVES to turn off light switches so whenever we leave a room we try to turn off lights, c.d. players, tv's, etc.
Okay, I know those are small but those are my main ones. What do you do to live green for Jesus?
Recently we were at the St. Louis Zoo and we stopped to watch a little presentation on Missouri animals. They showed us this big toad. The lady explained that he is so important to keeping mosquito and other populations down. However, many of these animals are dying off because of contaminants in their environment. People's cleaning chemicals are destroying them. It was a huge reminder on the beautiful and delicate balance God created for our earth. Every animal was so carefully planned to benefit the entire life system. So, I absolutely want to try to do my part to help protect my Creator's creation!
Here are some of the easy things I have been doing to "live green" for Jesus!
- I use reusable bags at the grocery store... so easy! If I get plastic ones I make sure I use them for trash liners and such. But, when possible I make sure to just dump all my trash into the biggest bag... I don't need a trash bag filled with 20 plastic bags! Plus, I LOVE my reusable bags from Trader Joe's, they are so cute!
- Use a reusable plastic water bottle... I bought an aluminum one which is awesome because it is BPA free so I know I am not ingesting nasty chemicals when I am trying to be healthy and it keeps my water cooler!
- I use natural cleaning products almost exclusively. I REALLY like the Method cleaning products they sell at Target. Aside from protecting the toads (haha) I love knowing that I can clean around my kids and not worry about the sometimes deadly side effects of them inhaling cleaning products!
- Okay, this is my new one and it is HARD for me... but when I am buying things (especially furniture or baby gear) I ask myself a few questions: Do I already have something that could work? Could I make something from things I already have? Can I buy this used? This is good for the environment and the pocket book!
- Turn off everything when not in use! I have taught Max to be my little helper in this area. He LOVES to turn off light switches so whenever we leave a room we try to turn off lights, c.d. players, tv's, etc.
Okay, I know those are small but those are my main ones. What do you do to live green for Jesus?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Strong Willed Child
So, it has come to my attention that I have a very strong-willed child. All of my Christian sisters reading this are probably saying in their heads, "go pick up Dr. Dobson's The Strong Willed Child!" Okay, but here is the thing... I don't like Dr. Dobson! Well, really it is nothing personal against Dr. Dobson... although his political agenda drives me crazy sometimes (but that is a whole other blog post!) It is just that... well... everyone who tells me they love Dr. Dobson and read him exclusively... well, I don't like being around their children! This probably isn't true in all cases! And trust me... it is not anyone who I know reads this blog!
I just feel like their are a handful of people who tell me that Dr. Dobson is a miracle worker... as their children are screaming and throwing tantrums in public or running around my home climbing down the back of my furniture! You know? For me it is like if someone in 100,000$ of debt handed me a book on finances, or someone who just got divorced telling me about the best book to save your marriage!
I know that no ones children are perfect and that is not what I expect! But, I do come into contact with some well behaved children now and then... and I want to read the books that those parents are reading!. Now I know this is a huge over generalization and I am not being fair! So, if you love Dr. Dobson please tell me why and I really will give him a chance! Or, if you have anyone better to offer please do! I would really prefer author's coming from a Christian background or view point!
Thank you! (And really, no offense to anyone who likes Dr. Dobson... I have just had a few run ins lately!!)
I just feel like their are a handful of people who tell me that Dr. Dobson is a miracle worker... as their children are screaming and throwing tantrums in public or running around my home climbing down the back of my furniture! You know? For me it is like if someone in 100,000$ of debt handed me a book on finances, or someone who just got divorced telling me about the best book to save your marriage!
I know that no ones children are perfect and that is not what I expect! But, I do come into contact with some well behaved children now and then... and I want to read the books that those parents are reading!. Now I know this is a huge over generalization and I am not being fair! So, if you love Dr. Dobson please tell me why and I really will give him a chance! Or, if you have anyone better to offer please do! I would really prefer author's coming from a Christian background or view point!
Thank you! (And really, no offense to anyone who likes Dr. Dobson... I have just had a few run ins lately!!)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
I love it when I feel God directly speak to my heart when I am struggling. I find as I spend more time in the Word and more time with God he does it more and more. I especially love it when I am struggling with something and he speaks directly to that. As you all know I have been really struggling with finding a church and making friends since moving here. Well, this morning I was driving to St. Louis Bread Company to get a bagel for my hubs (who is home sick today... poor guy!)and I heard that song, "More Than Enough" I think it is called... it goes
All of you is more than enough for all of me. In every hurt and every need. You satisfy me with your love and all I have in you is more than enough
I started kind of meditating on that concept and felt God tell me that He is more than enough for me. He is all I NEED to feel peace and joy. And since he has told me in His word that He wants fellowship with other believers for me He will provide that. But, it is not a NEED. He is what I NEED! I feel so much peace today after such a rocky day yesterday!
Thank you Lord for always being there! For always listening! How great is our God that he set the stars in the sky and set the earth in motion and then also speaks to little people with insecure prayers!
All of you is more than enough for all of me. In every hurt and every need. You satisfy me with your love and all I have in you is more than enough
I started kind of meditating on that concept and felt God tell me that He is more than enough for me. He is all I NEED to feel peace and joy. And since he has told me in His word that He wants fellowship with other believers for me He will provide that. But, it is not a NEED. He is what I NEED! I feel so much peace today after such a rocky day yesterday!
Thank you Lord for always being there! For always listening! How great is our God that he set the stars in the sky and set the earth in motion and then also speaks to little people with insecure prayers!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Finding a Church!
So, as a lot of you know... Nick and I are back on the church hunting trail again. "Shopping" for churches is my least favorite thing in the world! I actually think I even prefer bathing suit shopping to church shopping! I think the main thing is that church shopping makes me feel guitly. I feel like, if I don't like a church, that I am saying it's not good enough. I never want to judge those that God loves! But, I desperately want to find a church for our family that is in line with what we believe to be true about God, where we can be spiritually fed, where there are opportunites to get involved, where we feel welcomed and like we "fit", and with good programs for our kids. We have been to sooo many churches that offer a few of these things.
Honestly, I really miss the churches we attended in Springfield! I miss Northside and James River so much! But, I don't want to be comparing the churches here to those.
I also think Nick and I are struggling a little bit "denominationally" if that makes sense. Nick grew up going to a non-denominational church and I grew up going to Methodist and Presbyterian churches (if we went). But, we find that when we attend churches like that around here that they are lacking any zeal for the Lord. I am not trying to judge anyone! I hate even talking about this! But, we love going to churches and seeing God on the move and people filled with the holy spirit so that they basically have no choice but to radiate who God is. We just haven't found a church that feels very alive. We aren't looking for artificial excitements with like light displays and make you feel good preaching... but we are looking for a church that really celebrates that Jesus is Lord and that lives the teachings of Jesus!
We were blessed to be a part of 2 churches like this in Springfield. I was also blessed to have amazing friends that were on fire for the Lord to share life with. I think Nick and I are both really missing that. We desperately need to be a part of a church body.
Please pray that God will lead us to the church he has planned for us. Maybe even this weekend! Please pray that we will find a church that shares the truth boldly and that there would be people there who will invest in us! Thank you in advance for your prayers and for praying alongside me this past year or so as our family has gone through so many transitions! I am grateful for everyone who reads this blog, whether I know you personally or not! I am going to be a huge dork and ask if you read this post and pray for me to please leave me a comment letting me know that you did! I believe there is power in prayer and I believe that something special happens when you know people are petitioning God on your behalf! (If you don't have a blogger account feel free to leave a comment as "annonymous" and just sign your first name at the end of your message!)
Honestly, I really miss the churches we attended in Springfield! I miss Northside and James River so much! But, I don't want to be comparing the churches here to those.
I also think Nick and I are struggling a little bit "denominationally" if that makes sense. Nick grew up going to a non-denominational church and I grew up going to Methodist and Presbyterian churches (if we went). But, we find that when we attend churches like that around here that they are lacking any zeal for the Lord. I am not trying to judge anyone! I hate even talking about this! But, we love going to churches and seeing God on the move and people filled with the holy spirit so that they basically have no choice but to radiate who God is. We just haven't found a church that feels very alive. We aren't looking for artificial excitements with like light displays and make you feel good preaching... but we are looking for a church that really celebrates that Jesus is Lord and that lives the teachings of Jesus!
We were blessed to be a part of 2 churches like this in Springfield. I was also blessed to have amazing friends that were on fire for the Lord to share life with. I think Nick and I are both really missing that. We desperately need to be a part of a church body.
Please pray that God will lead us to the church he has planned for us. Maybe even this weekend! Please pray that we will find a church that shares the truth boldly and that there would be people there who will invest in us! Thank you in advance for your prayers and for praying alongside me this past year or so as our family has gone through so many transitions! I am grateful for everyone who reads this blog, whether I know you personally or not! I am going to be a huge dork and ask if you read this post and pray for me to please leave me a comment letting me know that you did! I believe there is power in prayer and I believe that something special happens when you know people are petitioning God on your behalf! (If you don't have a blogger account feel free to leave a comment as "annonymous" and just sign your first name at the end of your message!)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ugh!
Sorry...this will not be the most uplifting blog post you have ever read. I appologize ahead of time! But, you have to let it out somehow and this is my chosen medium!
I am just feeling a little blah lately. I am still really struggling with getting settled here and feeling at home. It is so hard to make friends in a new place when you are a grown up!! Growing up I was always able to make friends easily and always had a "best friend" to hang out with. But, it is harder when you are a grown up! I still feel like I don't have anyone I can call and just meet up with! So... to put it plainly, I am lonely! And I don't know where I fit in!
I also am debating what things to participate in next year and which things to skip out on. I was thinking of not doing MOPS and putting the kids in Moms Day Out at church one day a week. Well, I have decided I am not ready to be away from my kids one whole day a week! So, then I might do MOPS... I just don't know!
(Side note on Moms Day Out)... everyone always says how you need to have a break from your kids and you need time alone to get things done... I tried to convince myself of this but it just wasn't working for me! I don't want my kids away from me for 6 hours one day a week. They are already away from me when I go to church on Sunday, Bible Study, MOPS... that is more than enough! And maybe I have calm kiddos, but I don't have that hard of a time getting things done! And if I do, my awesome hubby hangs out with the kiddos so I can get things done. I am not questioning anyone else's choice... it is just not for me right now. My time with them at home is so short... Max is already almost 3! I don't want to hurry things along any faster than I need to!
I feel like I haven't really made any close friends anywhere so I am just not sure where to spend my time!
Okay, sorry that was random and whiny... but I am struggling and had to let it out!
I am just feeling a little blah lately. I am still really struggling with getting settled here and feeling at home. It is so hard to make friends in a new place when you are a grown up!! Growing up I was always able to make friends easily and always had a "best friend" to hang out with. But, it is harder when you are a grown up! I still feel like I don't have anyone I can call and just meet up with! So... to put it plainly, I am lonely! And I don't know where I fit in!
I also am debating what things to participate in next year and which things to skip out on. I was thinking of not doing MOPS and putting the kids in Moms Day Out at church one day a week. Well, I have decided I am not ready to be away from my kids one whole day a week! So, then I might do MOPS... I just don't know!
(Side note on Moms Day Out)... everyone always says how you need to have a break from your kids and you need time alone to get things done... I tried to convince myself of this but it just wasn't working for me! I don't want my kids away from me for 6 hours one day a week. They are already away from me when I go to church on Sunday, Bible Study, MOPS... that is more than enough! And maybe I have calm kiddos, but I don't have that hard of a time getting things done! And if I do, my awesome hubby hangs out with the kiddos so I can get things done. I am not questioning anyone else's choice... it is just not for me right now. My time with them at home is so short... Max is already almost 3! I don't want to hurry things along any faster than I need to!
I feel like I haven't really made any close friends anywhere so I am just not sure where to spend my time!
Okay, sorry that was random and whiny... but I am struggling and had to let it out!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
8 Things
I've seen this on 2 excellent blogs and decided to be a copy-cat! I love these kind of things!
8 things I'm looking forward to
Buying or building a house
Sophie sleeping through the night on a regular basis
the pools opening
Decorating my new house
Getting to be a stay-at-home mom as my kids get older
Possibly homeschooling my children when they are older
Feeling more at home in St. Louis
Having another baby in the future (or adopting!)
8 things I did yesterday
Went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays
Ate pork steaks for dinner (amazing!)
Played with the kiddos
Walked around the lake (3 miles, woo hoo!)
Checked my e-mail
Made homemade biscotti
Ate homemade biscotti and drank coffee while chatting with the hubs
Watched Desperate Housewives
8 things I wish I could do
Buy a house today
Loose weight more quickly
Make millions of dollars with little to no effort!
Go on vacation with my husband this summer
Cure cancer, AIDS, and stupidity
Have more self confidence
Tell everyone in the world about Jesus... and Dave Ramsey... but first Jesus!
Know that my children will live in a world that will never hurt them
8 shows I watch (Since I rarely watch TV I will go with shows I sometimes watch!)
Desperate Housewives
Househunters
The Today Show
18 Kids and Counting
The Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
Friends
Seinfeld
8 things I say everyday
Thank you Lord for all you have blessed me with
I love you
night night
Are you hungry?
No thank you
Please share with your sister
you're silly
someone needs a diaper change
8 things I'm looking forward to
Buying or building a house
Sophie sleeping through the night on a regular basis
the pools opening
Decorating my new house
Getting to be a stay-at-home mom as my kids get older
Possibly homeschooling my children when they are older
Feeling more at home in St. Louis
Having another baby in the future (or adopting!)
8 things I did yesterday
Went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays
Ate pork steaks for dinner (amazing!)
Played with the kiddos
Walked around the lake (3 miles, woo hoo!)
Checked my e-mail
Made homemade biscotti
Ate homemade biscotti and drank coffee while chatting with the hubs
Watched Desperate Housewives
8 things I wish I could do
Buy a house today
Loose weight more quickly
Make millions of dollars with little to no effort!
Go on vacation with my husband this summer
Cure cancer, AIDS, and stupidity
Have more self confidence
Tell everyone in the world about Jesus... and Dave Ramsey... but first Jesus!
Know that my children will live in a world that will never hurt them
8 shows I watch (Since I rarely watch TV I will go with shows I sometimes watch!)
Desperate Housewives
Househunters
The Today Show
18 Kids and Counting
The Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
Friends
Seinfeld
8 things I say everyday
Thank you Lord for all you have blessed me with
I love you
night night
Are you hungry?
No thank you
Please share with your sister
you're silly
someone needs a diaper change
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wow!
I just had to post to praise God for His faithfulness! He is ALWAYS faithful but sometimes it is that in your face faithfulness!
As most of you know Nick accepted a voluntary lay-off from Brown Shoe and was given May 1 as his last day. On Friday he got a new job! One week before his last day! And they want him to start May 4! So he won't miss a single work day!! The new job is at Centene which is in Clayton where he works now!
The best part is that he is SO excited about the new job. It is working with "cutting edge" technology that will really make his resume top notch! And it seems like a great and friendly company!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers during this time! We are so blessed to have such amazing prayer warriors in our lives!
As most of you know Nick accepted a voluntary lay-off from Brown Shoe and was given May 1 as his last day. On Friday he got a new job! One week before his last day! And they want him to start May 4! So he won't miss a single work day!! The new job is at Centene which is in Clayton where he works now!
The best part is that he is SO excited about the new job. It is working with "cutting edge" technology that will really make his resume top notch! And it seems like a great and friendly company!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers during this time! We are so blessed to have such amazing prayer warriors in our lives!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
God's house for me!
"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt. Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever" Prayer by Betty Scott Stam, China inland missionary, martyred
I love this prayer. I have it written in the back of my Bible and everytime I read it I think about Betty Scott Stam (who other than this prayer I know nothing about!!) and think about her heart for God. I pray that I will have that heart for God. That I will push aside my own desires, plans, and purposes and live for His glory! I can only begin to imagine the beauty of that offering to our God!
As some of you might know Nick and I have been thinking about building a house (determined by Nick getting a new job). I thought it would be so fun to build the "perfect" home for our family that we could live in forever! But, yesterday in my quiet time I felt God telling me "no", or at least, "not now". I really felt God speaking to me very strongly sending me the message, "Daughter, I have many good things for you. But this is not what I have for you now. I have prepared the perfect house for you, but it is not on this earth!" I have no idea what God has in store for our future, house wise, but you better believe that I want the house God wants for me! Even if it is small and old... I want God's best!
I am definetly one of those people who wants to have it all right now! But, God doesn't work that way. Since God isn't going to change I guess I have some work to do. Will you pray for me today that I will learn to set aside my own plans and desires for our Father's?
I love this prayer. I have it written in the back of my Bible and everytime I read it I think about Betty Scott Stam (who other than this prayer I know nothing about!!) and think about her heart for God. I pray that I will have that heart for God. That I will push aside my own desires, plans, and purposes and live for His glory! I can only begin to imagine the beauty of that offering to our God!
As some of you might know Nick and I have been thinking about building a house (determined by Nick getting a new job). I thought it would be so fun to build the "perfect" home for our family that we could live in forever! But, yesterday in my quiet time I felt God telling me "no", or at least, "not now". I really felt God speaking to me very strongly sending me the message, "Daughter, I have many good things for you. But this is not what I have for you now. I have prepared the perfect house for you, but it is not on this earth!" I have no idea what God has in store for our future, house wise, but you better believe that I want the house God wants for me! Even if it is small and old... I want God's best!
I am definetly one of those people who wants to have it all right now! But, God doesn't work that way. Since God isn't going to change I guess I have some work to do. Will you pray for me today that I will learn to set aside my own plans and desires for our Father's?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Catching up!
Sorry I have been such a blogger slacker lately! I tend to think of a million things I want to blog about but then I don't get around to it!
Life has been good but busy lately. I am staying very busy with the kiddos and our activities. Nick found out that his last day at Brown Shoe is May 1st so he has started the job search.
Max and Sophie are doing great. They are getting so big! Sophie will be crawling any day now I think. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and fourth and scoots backwards which is what Max did right before he crawled. Max is doing great too. His vocabulary is rapidly growing. He now knows more dinosaur names than I do. Thankfully he has a dad that is into that kind of thing!
I am super excited because Nick and I are having a little date day tomorrow. I think we are going to go check out a neighborhood we are interested in building or buying a house in and then I think we might do a little shopping and have a late lunch/early dinner! I can't wait to have my hubby to myself for a few hours!
Life has been good but busy lately. I am staying very busy with the kiddos and our activities. Nick found out that his last day at Brown Shoe is May 1st so he has started the job search.
Max and Sophie are doing great. They are getting so big! Sophie will be crawling any day now I think. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and fourth and scoots backwards which is what Max did right before he crawled. Max is doing great too. His vocabulary is rapidly growing. He now knows more dinosaur names than I do. Thankfully he has a dad that is into that kind of thing!
I am super excited because Nick and I are having a little date day tomorrow. I think we are going to go check out a neighborhood we are interested in building or buying a house in and then I think we might do a little shopping and have a late lunch/early dinner! I can't wait to have my hubby to myself for a few hours!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Enough is enough!
Can you believe some moms feed their children candy before breakfast? And some moms let their children watch TV everyday! And some of these same moms let their babies cry it out before bed!
Okay, I am sorry, but enough is enough! We as moms have got to chill out! I have heard of several moms in the past few weeks having "mini breakdowns" because of all of the pressure they feel to be a good mom. In the desire to be the best mom, moms across the country are spending hours making homemade baby food, using Clorox wipes on every inch of their home, arranging play dates and activities for their children, co-sleeping with their babies and children, wearing them in slings all day so that they don't cry and can feel bonded, and spending every waking hour trying to be the best mom and not neglect any of their childrens needs. And of course, making sure to spend time putting down moms that do not do things the exact same way they do!
We have got to stop! Sisters, our God has called us to a life of freedom in Him! Not bondage to our children! Yes, I do think it is important to be a good mom. But, what makes a good mom?
I am sorry, but children are not going to be seriously harmed by occassionally spending a day in front of the TV! And they are not going to spend years in therapy because their mother let them cry for a few minutes in their high chair while she finished her coffee! And you have got to be kidding me if you think your 1 year old needs a playdate to learn social skills! If you want to go on playdates, DO IT! But, do it because YOU want to and not because you will be harming your child's future if you don't! Sure it is good to have your children out but they will get that at church and other events. Don't stress yourself out about it!
We are not harming our children by not being perfect moms. But, I think we might be harming them in our obsession to try! Sisters, I write this because I am one of the moms who has tried to be perfect and I have FAILED! And I am DONE!
Instead of spending time researching whether letting my children cry it out at night will emotionally damage them for life, I am going to go with my gut and spend those hours playing trains with my son. Instead of freaking out about making a perfectly balanced meal on those really busy days I am going to drive through McDonalds and then spend that hour singing to my daughter. And instead of feeling that the only way to be a good mom is to spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with my kiddos I am going to call a sitter and spend the evening gazing into my husband's eyes over a dinner that I can eat hot! And instead of judging other moms for doing things differently than I do I am going to spend time building Godly friendships and living in the joy of the salvation I have been given!
Sisters, lets use God's measuring stick instead of our own. If you need it to measure how you are doing as a mom go ahead... it is the cross. And on it we are given His grace! If we are in relationship with the Lord and live our lives in His grace we are going to be good moms. Maybe not the best... maybe our kids will still refuse to eat broccoli, still throw tantrums in public, and still pick their nose and flick it. And while it would be best to try to accomplish these earthly goals, let us not spend all our time trying to be the perfect mom, but instead spend time teaching our children about the Perfect love of Christ and being a living example of His love and grace to our children. If we can do this we will recieve the fruits of His spirit and we will be good moms!
Okay, I am sorry, but enough is enough! We as moms have got to chill out! I have heard of several moms in the past few weeks having "mini breakdowns" because of all of the pressure they feel to be a good mom. In the desire to be the best mom, moms across the country are spending hours making homemade baby food, using Clorox wipes on every inch of their home, arranging play dates and activities for their children, co-sleeping with their babies and children, wearing them in slings all day so that they don't cry and can feel bonded, and spending every waking hour trying to be the best mom and not neglect any of their childrens needs. And of course, making sure to spend time putting down moms that do not do things the exact same way they do!
We have got to stop! Sisters, our God has called us to a life of freedom in Him! Not bondage to our children! Yes, I do think it is important to be a good mom. But, what makes a good mom?
I am sorry, but children are not going to be seriously harmed by occassionally spending a day in front of the TV! And they are not going to spend years in therapy because their mother let them cry for a few minutes in their high chair while she finished her coffee! And you have got to be kidding me if you think your 1 year old needs a playdate to learn social skills! If you want to go on playdates, DO IT! But, do it because YOU want to and not because you will be harming your child's future if you don't! Sure it is good to have your children out but they will get that at church and other events. Don't stress yourself out about it!
We are not harming our children by not being perfect moms. But, I think we might be harming them in our obsession to try! Sisters, I write this because I am one of the moms who has tried to be perfect and I have FAILED! And I am DONE!
Instead of spending time researching whether letting my children cry it out at night will emotionally damage them for life, I am going to go with my gut and spend those hours playing trains with my son. Instead of freaking out about making a perfectly balanced meal on those really busy days I am going to drive through McDonalds and then spend that hour singing to my daughter. And instead of feeling that the only way to be a good mom is to spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with my kiddos I am going to call a sitter and spend the evening gazing into my husband's eyes over a dinner that I can eat hot! And instead of judging other moms for doing things differently than I do I am going to spend time building Godly friendships and living in the joy of the salvation I have been given!
Sisters, lets use God's measuring stick instead of our own. If you need it to measure how you are doing as a mom go ahead... it is the cross. And on it we are given His grace! If we are in relationship with the Lord and live our lives in His grace we are going to be good moms. Maybe not the best... maybe our kids will still refuse to eat broccoli, still throw tantrums in public, and still pick their nose and flick it. And while it would be best to try to accomplish these earthly goals, let us not spend all our time trying to be the perfect mom, but instead spend time teaching our children about the Perfect love of Christ and being a living example of His love and grace to our children. If we can do this we will recieve the fruits of His spirit and we will be good moms!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Am I ready??
So, this is SO silly! But I am totally freaking out! I am signing Max up for Mom's Day Out one day week next school year. It is like preschool and he would go from 9-2 every Monday. I am really doing it for him and not for me. Max is SO smart and just amazes me everyday. But, he is definetly a 2 year old and does not like being told what to do or really having "structure". I really want to transition him very easily into school and preschool so I feel like a one day a week class would be really good for him.
But, it is also hard for me! He is my little baby and thinking of him being away from me a good chunk of the day one day a week is hard! He is away from me at church and Bible study, but we are in the same building!
Max is kind of a challenge for me! He is just so smart (like his Daddy) and I just have a hard time understanding him sometimes! He is very concrete and things are supposed to be a certain way. He learns quickly. He already knows several different types of dinosaurs and can pronounce their long names easily and he is just facinated by animals. But, if I am trying to teach him or talk to him about something he doesn't want to learn he just won't do it! I really want to work with his strengths and help him in the areas he needs help in order for him to be successful!
Please just pray for me that I will be a good mom for Max! He is a strong willed, very bright little boy and I want to help him be successful!
But, it is also hard for me! He is my little baby and thinking of him being away from me a good chunk of the day one day a week is hard! He is away from me at church and Bible study, but we are in the same building!
Max is kind of a challenge for me! He is just so smart (like his Daddy) and I just have a hard time understanding him sometimes! He is very concrete and things are supposed to be a certain way. He learns quickly. He already knows several different types of dinosaurs and can pronounce their long names easily and he is just facinated by animals. But, if I am trying to teach him or talk to him about something he doesn't want to learn he just won't do it! I really want to work with his strengths and help him in the areas he needs help in order for him to be successful!
Please just pray for me that I will be a good mom for Max! He is a strong willed, very bright little boy and I want to help him be successful!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hit by a brick!
Do you ever have one of those moments where you feel like all of the sudden you were hit in the head with a brick? Okay, not in the literal sense! But, when you are sitting in church, listening to a speaker, reading a book, talking to a friend, etc, and something is said to you that just totally hits you! You just have a GIANT ah-ha moment and everything you have always struggled with seems to make sense!!
I took a brick to the head last night! I was at the Sacred Romance class I am taking with my cousin at her church. The speaker was talking about the lies we believe about ourselves. I don't remember exactly what she was saying, but she then said, "I realized I believed in God but I wasn't believing God." Oh, Sisters, how that spoke to my heart!! That is me! I believe in God with my entire heart and soul!! But, I don't always believe what he says... especially what he says about me and what he will do for me.
Later in the class this poem was read based on God's word. It is long but worth reading. Let me share it here with you!
My Child... (God's words to us)
You may not know Me, but I know everything about you.
I know when you sit down and when you stand up.
I am familiar with all your ways.
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
For you were made in My image.
In Me you live and move and have your being.
I knew you even before you were conceived.
I chose you when I planned creation.
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book.
You are extraordinarily and wonderfully made.
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me.
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
And it is My desire to lavish My love on you
simply because you are My child and I am your Father.
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand.
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
My plan for your future
has always been filled with hope.
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
My thoughts toward you
are countless as the sand on the seashore.
And I rejoice over you with singing.
I will never stop doing good to you.
For you are My treasured possession.
I desire to establish you
with all My heart and all My soul.
And I want to show you
great and marvelous things.
If you search for Me with all your heart,
you will find Me.
Delight in Me
and I will give you the desires of your heart.
For it is I who gave you those desires.
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
For I am your greatest encourager.
I am also the Father
who comforts you in all your troubles.
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
As a shepard carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to My heart.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love My Son, Jesus.
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed.
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you.
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive Me.
And nothing will ever seperate you from My love again.
If you are interested I have the corresponding verses to each of those lines. I know we all here believe in God. But, do you believe this? God tells us these things in His word. We KNOW it is all true. But, do we believe what He is saying. I know that my life would look very different if I lived each day as if I truly believed these things were true!
I took a brick to the head last night! I was at the Sacred Romance class I am taking with my cousin at her church. The speaker was talking about the lies we believe about ourselves. I don't remember exactly what she was saying, but she then said, "I realized I believed in God but I wasn't believing God." Oh, Sisters, how that spoke to my heart!! That is me! I believe in God with my entire heart and soul!! But, I don't always believe what he says... especially what he says about me and what he will do for me.
Later in the class this poem was read based on God's word. It is long but worth reading. Let me share it here with you!
My Child... (God's words to us)
You may not know Me, but I know everything about you.
I know when you sit down and when you stand up.
I am familiar with all your ways.
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
For you were made in My image.
In Me you live and move and have your being.
I knew you even before you were conceived.
I chose you when I planned creation.
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book.
You are extraordinarily and wonderfully made.
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me.
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
And it is My desire to lavish My love on you
simply because you are My child and I am your Father.
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand.
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
My plan for your future
has always been filled with hope.
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
My thoughts toward you
are countless as the sand on the seashore.
And I rejoice over you with singing.
I will never stop doing good to you.
For you are My treasured possession.
I desire to establish you
with all My heart and all My soul.
And I want to show you
great and marvelous things.
If you search for Me with all your heart,
you will find Me.
Delight in Me
and I will give you the desires of your heart.
For it is I who gave you those desires.
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
For I am your greatest encourager.
I am also the Father
who comforts you in all your troubles.
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
As a shepard carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to My heart.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love My Son, Jesus.
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed.
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you.
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive Me.
And nothing will ever seperate you from My love again.
If you are interested I have the corresponding verses to each of those lines. I know we all here believe in God. But, do you believe this? God tells us these things in His word. We KNOW it is all true. But, do we believe what He is saying. I know that my life would look very different if I lived each day as if I truly believed these things were true!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Update!
Okay, I hope this is not a premature celebration... but I think we are totally back in the swing of things with breastfeeding! She had about 1-2 ounces of formula yesterday and other than that it was all breastmilk. I think today we are going to try to go 100% breastfeeding. She is back to prefering the breast to the bottle too which is great.
The only downside is... she eats a lot in the middle of the night! I was told by several people that to get supply back up to let her nurse as often as possible and that it is easiest to get supply back up at night when things are quiet and dark. So! She is up several times during the night nursing! But, I honestly would rather be up in the middle of the night if it means I can give her the best thing for her. However, over the next few weeks I will be working towards getting her to eat more during the day and trying to encourage her to eat less at night. Everything is a process!
But, I am just so excited. A lot of prayer and some hard work has really paid off! Yay God! I am glad all of those DISGUSTING milk production drops, tons of bowls of oatmeal, and several cups of mother's milk tea have had a purpose!
The only downside is... she eats a lot in the middle of the night! I was told by several people that to get supply back up to let her nurse as often as possible and that it is easiest to get supply back up at night when things are quiet and dark. So! She is up several times during the night nursing! But, I honestly would rather be up in the middle of the night if it means I can give her the best thing for her. However, over the next few weeks I will be working towards getting her to eat more during the day and trying to encourage her to eat less at night. Everything is a process!
But, I am just so excited. A lot of prayer and some hard work has really paid off! Yay God! I am glad all of those DISGUSTING milk production drops, tons of bowls of oatmeal, and several cups of mother's milk tea have had a purpose!
Monday, February 9, 2009
my new favorite blog
So, I have been scouring this new blog I found today, http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/
Nutrition and healthy living are my current obsessions and this blog is all about doing those things for the glory of God! I love it! I am a little overwhelmed by all of the awesome information on this blog but I am excited about making small changes which will lead to bigger changes! If you get a chance, check out this blog!
Nutrition and healthy living are my current obsessions and this blog is all about doing those things for the glory of God! I love it! I am a little overwhelmed by all of the awesome information on this blog but I am excited about making small changes which will lead to bigger changes! If you get a chance, check out this blog!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Brought to you by the letter K
Thank you Sarah for the letter assignment, here is how it works
If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.
Kisses I love kisses! Mainly from my hubby! I just can't get enough of them!
Kids I love kids! Mostly my own... but a few other people's too!
Karats I love diamonds... and the bigger the better is my policy on those!
Kitchen gadgets I love to cook and really enjoy getting new gadgets to use!
Knowledge Dorky I know but I love learner. I am a firm believer that God created us to be lifelong learners!
Kirklands I really love the store Kirklands. I hardly ever buy things there but I always think it looks so homey in there!
Kiwi I love kiwi! I really love fruit, especially the more exotic ones, apples and bananas get a little boring sometimes.
Korin I love Korin! She and I have been friends since junior high and we can still talk about anything and everything! I love that girl!
Kettles Okay, that is a stretch but I do think tea kettles are fun! And my Grandma has an electric one that I love!
Katie Okay, I had to do it! I love me!
If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.
Kisses I love kisses! Mainly from my hubby! I just can't get enough of them!
Kids I love kids! Mostly my own... but a few other people's too!
Karats I love diamonds... and the bigger the better is my policy on those!
Kitchen gadgets I love to cook and really enjoy getting new gadgets to use!
Knowledge Dorky I know but I love learner. I am a firm believer that God created us to be lifelong learners!
Kirklands I really love the store Kirklands. I hardly ever buy things there but I always think it looks so homey in there!
Kiwi I love kiwi! I really love fruit, especially the more exotic ones, apples and bananas get a little boring sometimes.
Korin I love Korin! She and I have been friends since junior high and we can still talk about anything and everything! I love that girl!
Kettles Okay, that is a stretch but I do think tea kettles are fun! And my Grandma has an electric one that I love!
Katie Okay, I had to do it! I love me!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Apology
I feel like I owe the world an apology today! I have been so self-absorbed lately. I think about myself 24/7 these days. I think about my kids, my husband, my income, my future, my family, my feelings, my weight, my tiredness, my insecurity, my blessings... I am OBSESSED! With myself!!
I just feel like I owe this blog an apology. And I feel like I owe God an apology. I know that he cares about me and my feelings and He loves to hear about those things. But, I also know that He is a big God with big love and He wants me to share His heart. His heart for the nations, His heart for the hungry, His heart for the lonely, His heart for the unsaved...
It is so easy to live in my own little bubble. To think about my own needs and desires and plans all the time. But, I feel convicted today and believe with my whole heart that God created me for more than that. He created me to be used by Him. He created all of us that way. And I find myself, even when I am doing things for others, doing them in relation to how they effect me. I am not the center of the story. He is the center of the story.
I've always had this little simile in my head and it is so dorky(you can laugh at me, it's okay), but I have always wanted to look like an arrow. I want when people to see me that they would only see an arrow and as we all know whenever we see an arrow we don't look at it for long but quickly look to see what it is pointing to. I want to be an arrow that points to Jesus. I know that I am so far from this goal/ambition/dream/whatever you want to call it! But, it is the desire of my heart!
So, to try to get closer to that and in attempt to get one milimeter closer to where I should be, I want to apologize! I have been so obsessed with myself that I have been missing the mark as a friend, a mother, a wife, a daughter, and most of all a follower of Christ.
I don't know where that leaves me and where I go from here. But, you know, like they say in AA meetings or someplace like that, that recognizing you have a problem is the first step to recovery!
Father God, Please forgive me for my attitude lately. Forgive me for living in a world of me. A world where I only pray for myself, think about myself, and talk about myself. I know that you have much bigger purposes for me. If You were to use me for nothing else besides being a wife and mother I know you would still want me to think of others constantly and teach my children who you are. Lord, help me to teach my childen about Your heart! Help me to show them the increadible things you do around the world for all people. Help me to not just focus on what you do and are doing for me but to focus on all that you do. To pray for others and to love my neighbor as I love myself. Lord teach me to love you first. Lord teach me to love you the most. Amen.
I just feel like I owe this blog an apology. And I feel like I owe God an apology. I know that he cares about me and my feelings and He loves to hear about those things. But, I also know that He is a big God with big love and He wants me to share His heart. His heart for the nations, His heart for the hungry, His heart for the lonely, His heart for the unsaved...
It is so easy to live in my own little bubble. To think about my own needs and desires and plans all the time. But, I feel convicted today and believe with my whole heart that God created me for more than that. He created me to be used by Him. He created all of us that way. And I find myself, even when I am doing things for others, doing them in relation to how they effect me. I am not the center of the story. He is the center of the story.
I've always had this little simile in my head and it is so dorky(you can laugh at me, it's okay), but I have always wanted to look like an arrow. I want when people to see me that they would only see an arrow and as we all know whenever we see an arrow we don't look at it for long but quickly look to see what it is pointing to. I want to be an arrow that points to Jesus. I know that I am so far from this goal/ambition/dream/whatever you want to call it! But, it is the desire of my heart!
So, to try to get closer to that and in attempt to get one milimeter closer to where I should be, I want to apologize! I have been so obsessed with myself that I have been missing the mark as a friend, a mother, a wife, a daughter, and most of all a follower of Christ.
I don't know where that leaves me and where I go from here. But, you know, like they say in AA meetings or someplace like that, that recognizing you have a problem is the first step to recovery!
Father God, Please forgive me for my attitude lately. Forgive me for living in a world of me. A world where I only pray for myself, think about myself, and talk about myself. I know that you have much bigger purposes for me. If You were to use me for nothing else besides being a wife and mother I know you would still want me to think of others constantly and teach my children who you are. Lord, help me to teach my childen about Your heart! Help me to show them the increadible things you do around the world for all people. Help me to not just focus on what you do and are doing for me but to focus on all that you do. To pray for others and to love my neighbor as I love myself. Lord teach me to love you first. Lord teach me to love you the most. Amen.
Monday, February 2, 2009
My scripture memory for the first part of February it Philipians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I am not sure I have ever needed a scripture more! I am so anxious about Nick needing to find a new job soon (he accepted a voluntary lay off at Brown). We have no idea when his last day at Brown will be, it could be tomorrow or it could be 6 months from now! I don't know that I had to ever rely on God so completely for EVERYTHING! He is our ONLY hope right now. And, I am struggling so hard to not be anxious and just sit and worry all day!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
BPA Free list
I found this list of BPA free bottles and sippies and thought I would pass along the link. I found it super helpful! The more I read and learn about BPA the more determined I am to limit my children's exposure to it! Bottles made with BPA are going to not be sold in many stores starting next year (which means that there obviously is a real threat!) but they will still be available through 2009 I believe! So, check out this link, http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/
I bought the BPA free Avent bottles for Sophie. They are kind of expensive (about $9.00 a piece) but she liked the nipples on those the best and I thought the price was worth the peace of mind. There are much cheaper options out there though. I think the main thing to look out for is super clear plastic (but it is found in colored and opaque plastics too). I know the BPA free Avent bottles have kind of a honey colored tint to them because they are made out of different materials.
Anyway, I just wanted to share because I know it can be hard to know where to start sometimes!
I bought the BPA free Avent bottles for Sophie. They are kind of expensive (about $9.00 a piece) but she liked the nipples on those the best and I thought the price was worth the peace of mind. There are much cheaper options out there though. I think the main thing to look out for is super clear plastic (but it is found in colored and opaque plastics too). I know the BPA free Avent bottles have kind of a honey colored tint to them because they are made out of different materials.
Anyway, I just wanted to share because I know it can be hard to know where to start sometimes!
Please pray
Well, we are still attempting this breastfeeding thing. Today I am kind of discouraged because Sophie is not very interested in nursing and with a very demanding 2 year old there is not a whole lot of time for pumping. But, I am still giving it a big effort!
Today my heart is very heavy for a woman in my MOPS group. Her niece is in the hospital almost peralized (she came down suddenly with a neuromuscular disease) that has been linked in several young girls to the Gardisil vaccine). There is a chance she will be paralyzed for life because of this. I am so angry. I am angry because I have done a lot of research on the Gardisil vaccine including talking to doctors and nutrtitionists about it and to me it seems like such a risky vaccine! What makes me mad is that schools are trying to require it and many doctor's already have it on their regular vaccine schedule. Gardisil has not been out long enough! We are putting our daughter's in serious danger by not doing our research.
It has been such a good reminder to me to do my own research first. I am the mom and am responsible for what is given to my children. I cannot just trust that everyone has my child's best interests at heart.
Anyway, please keep 11 year old Alicia in your prayers! Her parents were just trying to do the best thing for her and follow their doctor's advice.
Today my heart is very heavy for a woman in my MOPS group. Her niece is in the hospital almost peralized (she came down suddenly with a neuromuscular disease) that has been linked in several young girls to the Gardisil vaccine). There is a chance she will be paralyzed for life because of this. I am so angry. I am angry because I have done a lot of research on the Gardisil vaccine including talking to doctors and nutrtitionists about it and to me it seems like such a risky vaccine! What makes me mad is that schools are trying to require it and many doctor's already have it on their regular vaccine schedule. Gardisil has not been out long enough! We are putting our daughter's in serious danger by not doing our research.
It has been such a good reminder to me to do my own research first. I am the mom and am responsible for what is given to my children. I cannot just trust that everyone has my child's best interests at heart.
Anyway, please keep 11 year old Alicia in your prayers! Her parents were just trying to do the best thing for her and follow their doctor's advice.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Breastfeeding update
So, the last few days have been some of the hardest days of my life. I spent at least a few hours crying everyday dealing with feelings of guilt and remorse over not breastfeeding anymore. I was absolutely miserable. Not to mention increadibly sore and engorged from not nursing.
On the way home from church Nick asked me if I was doing okay and said that I seemed a little down. I burst into tears and told him that I didn't want to quit nursing. I LOVED nursing our daughter and had just made the decision to switch to formula due to a drop in supply and lack of sleep! Even with the formula she isn't sleeping better so I felt I gave it up for nothing!
Nick and I talked through everything and he reminded me that it isn't too late to go back to breastfeeding. So, I called and talked to a lactation counselor today and did some research and decided to try to get my supply back up and continue nursing! Nick is out right now picking up a hospital grade pump for me to rent to get my supply back up (my husband is AMAZING!!) I feel such a huge sense of peace and relief!
I don't want to make this sound like I think formula is bad. I don't!! I didn't nurse Max after 6 weeks and I felt very little remorse over it. But, with Sophie I really enjoy nursing her and it really works well for both of us. I just feel like I ignored my mother's intuition and was left miserable!
So, please pray for me in my endeavor to get my supply back up... where I should have started in the first place! I love you girls so much!
On the way home from church Nick asked me if I was doing okay and said that I seemed a little down. I burst into tears and told him that I didn't want to quit nursing. I LOVED nursing our daughter and had just made the decision to switch to formula due to a drop in supply and lack of sleep! Even with the formula she isn't sleeping better so I felt I gave it up for nothing!
Nick and I talked through everything and he reminded me that it isn't too late to go back to breastfeeding. So, I called and talked to a lactation counselor today and did some research and decided to try to get my supply back up and continue nursing! Nick is out right now picking up a hospital grade pump for me to rent to get my supply back up (my husband is AMAZING!!) I feel such a huge sense of peace and relief!
I don't want to make this sound like I think formula is bad. I don't!! I didn't nurse Max after 6 weeks and I felt very little remorse over it. But, with Sophie I really enjoy nursing her and it really works well for both of us. I just feel like I ignored my mother's intuition and was left miserable!
So, please pray for me in my endeavor to get my supply back up... where I should have started in the first place! I love you girls so much!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
So hard!
So, today is our second day of Sophie on bottles! Breastfeeding Sophie these past 5 months has been one of the best experiences of my life! It is such a special bonding time and she was so good at it right from the start. But, as some of you know, my little girl was not sleeping at all. She was up about every 2 hours wanting to eat. It is really hard to say "no" to a breastfed baby because you have no idea whether or not they are hungry because you have no idea how much they ate at their last feeding. So, I was one exhausted mommy! I started supplementing with formula in the evenings because I was so desperate for just a little bit of sleep! Well, as anyone who has breastfed knows, supplementing is breastfeeding suicide! My milk supply totally plummeted. So, I was left with two choices, switch to formula or work my butt off trying to get my supply back up by pumping and taking supplements. Although I loved breastfeeding so much I opted for the first one. Although I am a little sad and dealing with some guilt over it last night was wonderful. Sophie only woke up a few times and quickly but herself back to sleep. NO NIGHTTIME FEEDING! Woo hoo!!It was amazing! Of course, I was up all night because that is what I am used to doing! But, we are making PROGRESS!
So, if you get a chance please say a little prayer for me today! Please just pray that I will feel peace about my decision to switch to formula and not feel guilty. Our amazing Heavenly Father does not call us to a life of guilt but of freedom in Him! Thank you all so much for all of your love and support!
So, if you get a chance please say a little prayer for me today! Please just pray that I will feel peace about my decision to switch to formula and not feel guilty. Our amazing Heavenly Father does not call us to a life of guilt but of freedom in Him! Thank you all so much for all of your love and support!
Monday, January 12, 2009
I finally have a "life"!
As I am sure everyone who has moved to a new city can attest to, it really takes awhile to get settled in and get life back to “normal”. I feel like I am finally getting settled into life here in Lake St. Louis and I am really excited about that. I am really excited because I feel like I finally have things to do with my life on a day to day basis and it is really nice!
I am really looking forward to this “semester” (which is still how I look at life even though no one is in school right now!) I am still doing MOPS which I really enjoy and am starting to really feel like I fit in! I am also doing a women’s morning Bible study at the new church we are attending, and I am going to do a 6 week evening study at my cousin’s church with her. I also signed Max up for Kindermusik classes which is probably what I am most excited about!! I used to take the little boy I babysat to those classes and it was so much fun! So, I can’t wait to do them with my own little music-lover! I am also hopeful that Nick and I will get involved in a growth group at our new church too so we can really start meeting people!
But, with that said, I am SO GRATEFUL for the time God gave me to be alone a little when we first moved here. I am naturally a very social person so if there are people to hang out with I will be there! But, when I was given no option but to stay home day after day I learned SO much!! God has taught me so much about myself, my children, and my marriage! God really does give us seasons in life and he uses them! I feel so blessed and refreshed! Looking back on it I would not trade my 6 month social sabbatical for anything!
I am really looking forward to this “semester” (which is still how I look at life even though no one is in school right now!) I am still doing MOPS which I really enjoy and am starting to really feel like I fit in! I am also doing a women’s morning Bible study at the new church we are attending, and I am going to do a 6 week evening study at my cousin’s church with her. I also signed Max up for Kindermusik classes which is probably what I am most excited about!! I used to take the little boy I babysat to those classes and it was so much fun! So, I can’t wait to do them with my own little music-lover! I am also hopeful that Nick and I will get involved in a growth group at our new church too so we can really start meeting people!
But, with that said, I am SO GRATEFUL for the time God gave me to be alone a little when we first moved here. I am naturally a very social person so if there are people to hang out with I will be there! But, when I was given no option but to stay home day after day I learned SO much!! God has taught me so much about myself, my children, and my marriage! God really does give us seasons in life and he uses them! I feel so blessed and refreshed! Looking back on it I would not trade my 6 month social sabbatical for anything!
Friday, January 9, 2009
The most boring blog in the world...
And no, I am not talking about this one!! I started another blog to keep my eating and exercise log. It is mainly for accountability. I don't expect anyone to actually look at it but knowing someone might keeps me in check! So, if you ever want to check it out it is, http://shrinkingkatieramsey.blogspot.com/ but seriously, it is just a list of food so don't feel the pressure to look at it!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
speaking truth
It is so hard to accept criticism. I think by nature we naturally get really defensive when anyone questions anything we are doing! But, I am so thankful for friends who are still willing to speak truth to me!
Today I was talking to one of my best friends and she mentioned to me that she was reading "Created to Be His Helpmeet" again. She was talking about how it is so hard to be a wife sometimes but we need to look at it as an honor and a blessing given to us by God! She mentioned the importance of being a happy wife and oh my it hit home with me. I told her I had a tendency to be a grump around my husband and she totally called me on it! I was sick today and having a rough time with Max (gotta love the terrible 2's!!) and I was just in such a foul mood. I was totally prepared to totally vent to Nick as soon as he walked through the door. But, thank goodness for our conversation! When Nick walked through the door I was able to greet him with a smile and a kiss! I later told him about my rough day but we went on to have an amazing and fun evening together!
I totally want to be a helper to my husband! I want him to want to come home to me! I am so grateful to my friend for being so honest with me. It is so easy when we admit to something we are doing for our friends to just say, "that's okay, it happens" but what a blessing it is when instead they say, "well you need to stop doing that!!"
Lord, help me to speak truth to my friends and to receive truth with an open heart!
Today I was talking to one of my best friends and she mentioned to me that she was reading "Created to Be His Helpmeet" again. She was talking about how it is so hard to be a wife sometimes but we need to look at it as an honor and a blessing given to us by God! She mentioned the importance of being a happy wife and oh my it hit home with me. I told her I had a tendency to be a grump around my husband and she totally called me on it! I was sick today and having a rough time with Max (gotta love the terrible 2's!!) and I was just in such a foul mood. I was totally prepared to totally vent to Nick as soon as he walked through the door. But, thank goodness for our conversation! When Nick walked through the door I was able to greet him with a smile and a kiss! I later told him about my rough day but we went on to have an amazing and fun evening together!
I totally want to be a helper to my husband! I want him to want to come home to me! I am so grateful to my friend for being so honest with me. It is so easy when we admit to something we are doing for our friends to just say, "that's okay, it happens" but what a blessing it is when instead they say, "well you need to stop doing that!!"
Lord, help me to speak truth to my friends and to receive truth with an open heart!
Friday, January 2, 2009
The sweetest eyes
I just had to post this picture! I think my little girl has the sweeteset beautiful blue eyes!
It's 2009
Wow, I can't believe it is 2009 already. 2008 was such a big year with our new baby, move, Nick's new job.... Wow. Part of me hopes this year is calmer! But, what I really want this year to be more than anything is all about God! As I glanced back over my blog I realized how much I talk about everything God is doing for me. I think this is a great thing to talk about. God definetly deserves the glory! But, I was thinking today about how God is good all the time. God answers prayer all the time, even when the answer is no. And with all the good and yes' I have gotten lately I have forgotten that God and His amazingness stand alone! He doesn't need me to show how amazing He is. He doesn't need any of us!
So, my goal for 2009 is to focus less on myself and more on my Creator! My goal is to change the way I think and the way I talk.
My husband had a "come to Jesus" with me (I love that phrase and it is certainly fitting here) a few weeks ago and it has just totally changed my thought life. I was feeling really down and depressed and just at the end of my rope in a lot of ways. I was feeling so bad about everything and so negative. Nick said, "you have got to stop thinking like this" to which I got angry and responded, "I can't control the way I think! What am I supposed to think about?" And then he hit me with a ton of bricks (by bricks I mean truth!) and he said, "think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..."
So, Sisters, here I am. Standing at the beginning of 2009 ready to make a change. I am called to take every thought captive and think about that which is true, noble, right... And let's be honest, almost all of what is true and right and... is about Jesus Christ Himself and not about me!
Please be in prayer with me as I work to change my thoughtlife! And let me know if I start talking about myself too much! This is an uphill battle to be sure but I am ready for the challenge!
With that in mind I have chosen for my first scripture memory verse of '09 (I am memorizing scripture with Beth Moore and the Siestas through her blog, http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com)
So, my goal for 2009 is to focus less on myself and more on my Creator! My goal is to change the way I think and the way I talk.
My husband had a "come to Jesus" with me (I love that phrase and it is certainly fitting here) a few weeks ago and it has just totally changed my thought life. I was feeling really down and depressed and just at the end of my rope in a lot of ways. I was feeling so bad about everything and so negative. Nick said, "you have got to stop thinking like this" to which I got angry and responded, "I can't control the way I think! What am I supposed to think about?" And then he hit me with a ton of bricks (by bricks I mean truth!) and he said, "think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..."
So, Sisters, here I am. Standing at the beginning of 2009 ready to make a change. I am called to take every thought captive and think about that which is true, noble, right... And let's be honest, almost all of what is true and right and... is about Jesus Christ Himself and not about me!
Please be in prayer with me as I work to change my thoughtlife! And let me know if I start talking about myself too much! This is an uphill battle to be sure but I am ready for the challenge!
With that in mind I have chosen for my first scripture memory verse of '09 (I am memorizing scripture with Beth Moore and the Siestas through her blog, http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com)
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such thingsPhillipians 4:8
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