Before You Decorate for Fall
2 days 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
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