We are moving!!!
We are moving into our own apartment!!
We are moving into our own apartment in TWO WEEKS!!
God has majorly blessed us and opened doors for us to be able to move. We are very excited for this new season in our journey and have celebrated by packing/purging our stuff. :o)
Titus will have his own room for the first time ever. I'm really excited about this- come on, sharing your room with your kid is only fun for so long. I am nervous about how that transition will go, but thankfully with the move happening so soon I'm hoping the transition will be over by the time the baby comes.
There are so many things about living on our own that are exciting but it is just a great reminder of how God is good. God has our good in mind. He has a plan and His plans are good. God is our provider and will always meet our needs.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
God of all comfort
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
This verse was shared with me via a woman from my MYM group. I have had an off week of Bible study and making sure I have set aside time with God. This has also been a hard week with trusting God and His good and perfect plan. Coincidence? I think not!
However this verse has been a huge comfort to me this week. Instead of trying to "make up" the days I missed on my study I'm meditating on this passage and how GOOD GOD IS!!! He is everything I need.
I hope it encourages you the way it has encouraged me!
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
This verse was shared with me via a woman from my MYM group. I have had an off week of Bible study and making sure I have set aside time with God. This has also been a hard week with trusting God and His good and perfect plan. Coincidence? I think not!
However this verse has been a huge comfort to me this week. Instead of trying to "make up" the days I missed on my study I'm meditating on this passage and how GOOD GOD IS!!! He is everything I need.
I hope it encourages you the way it has encouraged me!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Announcement, announcement, announcement!
We haven't announced this officially anywhere. We have told friends and family and anyone that asks. I haven't felt the need to go super public with this announcement yet, but today on my blog I felt that it would be great to share!!
We are having another baby!! And better yet- it's a GIRL!!!! Rya Grace is due February 23rd, 2012. She looked great in the ultrasound the other day. She is definitely different than her brother! She is very quiet and doesn't move very much. The ultrasound tech did not have a hard job getting the necessary measurements and with Ti they almost couldn't get pictures of his legs and feet because he never stopped moving. Titus still seems to be a mover, so I'm wondering if Rya is still getting to be a mover or if she will be a quieter more still baby. Who knows! It will be fun to find out!!!
We are having another baby!! And better yet- it's a GIRL!!!! Rya Grace is due February 23rd, 2012. She looked great in the ultrasound the other day. She is definitely different than her brother! She is very quiet and doesn't move very much. The ultrasound tech did not have a hard job getting the necessary measurements and with Ti they almost couldn't get pictures of his legs and feet because he never stopped moving. Titus still seems to be a mover, so I'm wondering if Rya is still getting to be a mover or if she will be a quieter more still baby. Who knows! It will be fun to find out!!!
Rya's profile looks very similar to Titus'. I say it's because they are siblings, NOT because all babies probably look very similar at this stage. :o)
Peace out!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tea
Tea.
It used to be my favorite beverage.
I craved it daily and preferred that over anything else.
However, this new baby does not like tea! Well, it likes tea but has managed to change my taste buds enough that no matter what I do the tea doesn't taste "right." I make the same way every time. I make the same as I did before this baby. But no matter what it doesn't taste the way it used to and it almost never tastes the same way twice!
Coffee is my drink of choice these days and while I have always thought it delicious I really miss my good ol' hot cup of tea. Maybe someday it will come back. Maybe
**Thanks for reading my complaint.**
It used to be my favorite beverage.
I craved it daily and preferred that over anything else.
However, this new baby does not like tea! Well, it likes tea but has managed to change my taste buds enough that no matter what I do the tea doesn't taste "right." I make the same way every time. I make the same as I did before this baby. But no matter what it doesn't taste the way it used to and it almost never tastes the same way twice!
Coffee is my drink of choice these days and while I have always thought it delicious I really miss my good ol' hot cup of tea. Maybe someday it will come back. Maybe
**Thanks for reading my complaint.**
MYM
I don't know if any of you have heard of a program/challenge called Maximize Your Mornings. It was started by Kat and it's an amazing thing! It's a challenge where you are grouped up with about 10 other women who are all striving to get up for their families and not with their families. It's a challenge to get up before your family and to have your quiet time with God, exercise, and whatever else you want to get done before they get up. In your groups you check in everyday and encourage the ladies in your group and they struggle along with you to get up and get moving. It's a really crazy, awesome idea to be accountable to women from all over!
I've read about this challenge for about a year- it happens in the fall and spring- and I have always felt the twinge of "I should do that." I struggle with getting up in the morning and so I usually just don't. Then Titus wakes me up and it definitely makes for a crankier mommy than he needs!!!
Today was my first day and it was a fail. Not because I slept in, but because Titus woke up at 5:30am!! Granted I didn't realize that the challenge started today and so I didn't plan on waking up before him. But, I definitely did NOT plan on getting up that early!! However- I did spend time with God as soon at Ti went down for his nap. I'm happy that I was able to have some quiet time. My first thought was to jump back in bed myself, but then I saw the emails from my group memebers checking in. Thank you Jesus for that swift reminder!!!
MYM has already started for the fall but pray about joining for the spring- or get together with a group of your friends and do it on your own. :o)
I've read about this challenge for about a year- it happens in the fall and spring- and I have always felt the twinge of "I should do that." I struggle with getting up in the morning and so I usually just don't. Then Titus wakes me up and it definitely makes for a crankier mommy than he needs!!!
Today was my first day and it was a fail. Not because I slept in, but because Titus woke up at 5:30am!! Granted I didn't realize that the challenge started today and so I didn't plan on waking up before him. But, I definitely did NOT plan on getting up that early!! However- I did spend time with God as soon at Ti went down for his nap. I'm happy that I was able to have some quiet time. My first thought was to jump back in bed myself, but then I saw the emails from my group memebers checking in. Thank you Jesus for that swift reminder!!!
MYM has already started for the fall but pray about joining for the spring- or get together with a group of your friends and do it on your own. :o)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Quiet Time
I love me some good ol' quiet time.
Titus is sleeping. I'm snuggled up under a warm blanket. I could probably fall asleep but once I do I know Ti would wake up. So I'm just laying here, relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet.
I've noticed a lack of quiet time in my life lately. We have been way too busy and Titus is cutting some molars so he has been an emotional mess. I don't blame him, though. I hope they finish cutting soon and give the poor kid a break. Anyway- back to my quiet time. It's necessary for my sanity and when I don't have a little bit every day I tend to go a little crazy and get a little crabby.
I also need my quiet time with God. That's even more necessary than just by myself. But both are needed to help me be the wife and mommy I need to be.
I'm going to snuggle in and stay that way until Titus wakes up or I have to pee- whichever comes first. ;o)
Titus is sleeping. I'm snuggled up under a warm blanket. I could probably fall asleep but once I do I know Ti would wake up. So I'm just laying here, relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet.
I've noticed a lack of quiet time in my life lately. We have been way too busy and Titus is cutting some molars so he has been an emotional mess. I don't blame him, though. I hope they finish cutting soon and give the poor kid a break. Anyway- back to my quiet time. It's necessary for my sanity and when I don't have a little bit every day I tend to go a little crazy and get a little crabby.
I also need my quiet time with God. That's even more necessary than just by myself. But both are needed to help me be the wife and mommy I need to be.
I'm going to snuggle in and stay that way until Titus wakes up or I have to pee- whichever comes first. ;o)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Re-commitment
Re-commitment is the theme of my life these days.
Recommitting to keeping my priorities straight, to my family, to my walk with God, to this blog, to my interests.
I have been way to self-absorbed to get anything right lately. Even if on the outside it looks like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing my thoughts and my attitude have sucked (for lack of a better word). I have been my first priority and whenever that happens everything always gets messed up. I haven't been spending time with God at all lately and have found it really hard, although rewarding, to get back into it. I have had no real desire to blog because I couldn't come up with anything to say. I have become a blob that does nothing but sit around in my spare time. It's really pathetic, but thankfully through God and a few loving friends I've been convicted and working on changing things around.
My first priority is God. Spending time with Him- which is still a struggle- needs to happen on a daily basis and for me preferably in the morning. Mornings work best for me- it helps set the tone for my day and helps me have the right attitude. There are also many verses that talk about meeting with God in the morning. Psalm 143:8 is one of those verses that I memorized many years ago. Mornings don't work for everyone and that's totally fine. It's the best time for me and the biggest challenge for me.
Second priority- family. But, most importantly my husband. I have made the mistake of letting Titus become more of a priority than Bryan and that is a huge no-no! It's hard to keep it straight, especially when you take care of a baby 24-7, but I'm committed to figuring it out. There will be lots of Bible study, reading, and seeking counsel from wise, Christian women in this area. The Bible is clear- the husband comes before children- I've messed that up big time and I'm paying the consequences. However, with God's love and grace I am forgiven and He is renewing my mind and helping me make better choices and to choose to keep Bryan top priority over the kid. :)
Third priority is getting back to my interests (this blog included). I love reading blogs and writing one myself and I have let a lot of that go and have just turned into a bum. No more!! I can't say that I will be so faithful as to write everyday, but I really want to write as much as I can and to keep up with the blogs that I follow.
I love sewing and I have a few projects lined up that I would love to get moving on so that is on the to-do list. Some of those projects are: nursing pads, maternity pants, quilt, and draw string bag. I also have a pile of clothes that need to be mended.
And I'm committing to getting back to my "crunchy" research and trying new things. I decided way back to make my own detergent because it saves money and because I know what the ingredients are. I am looking into trying soap nuts because that is even a more natural version than the detergent I make. I also decided to use cloth diapers because once again it saves money and also there are no chemical in a cloth diaper that come in contact with my son's skin. I have been very lazy with the cloth diapers and been spending way too much money on disposables. No more of that! I use disposables for night time (Ti pees a lot at night and I haven't figured out a way to make cloth work) and for outings (like shopping or church) and babysitters. I'm also getting into learning how to cook more with "real" food and trying to stay away from processed stuff. I don't have my own kitchen so that it a little harder, but I'm learning all I can now so I can apply it when I do have my own kitchen. I've also been reading lots and lots on the "no-poo" method (no shampoo) and other things like that. I'm not really ready to try it- mostly because I love the smell of shampoo and probably because I'm lazy.
So anyway- I'm recommitting to the things that matter and the things that make life worth it and enjoyable. And as a thank you for reading this massive post here are some pictures:
Recommitting to keeping my priorities straight, to my family, to my walk with God, to this blog, to my interests.
I have been way to self-absorbed to get anything right lately. Even if on the outside it looks like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing my thoughts and my attitude have sucked (for lack of a better word). I have been my first priority and whenever that happens everything always gets messed up. I haven't been spending time with God at all lately and have found it really hard, although rewarding, to get back into it. I have had no real desire to blog because I couldn't come up with anything to say. I have become a blob that does nothing but sit around in my spare time. It's really pathetic, but thankfully through God and a few loving friends I've been convicted and working on changing things around.
My first priority is God. Spending time with Him- which is still a struggle- needs to happen on a daily basis and for me preferably in the morning. Mornings work best for me- it helps set the tone for my day and helps me have the right attitude. There are also many verses that talk about meeting with God in the morning. Psalm 143:8 is one of those verses that I memorized many years ago. Mornings don't work for everyone and that's totally fine. It's the best time for me and the biggest challenge for me.
Second priority- family. But, most importantly my husband. I have made the mistake of letting Titus become more of a priority than Bryan and that is a huge no-no! It's hard to keep it straight, especially when you take care of a baby 24-7, but I'm committed to figuring it out. There will be lots of Bible study, reading, and seeking counsel from wise, Christian women in this area. The Bible is clear- the husband comes before children- I've messed that up big time and I'm paying the consequences. However, with God's love and grace I am forgiven and He is renewing my mind and helping me make better choices and to choose to keep Bryan top priority over the kid. :)
Third priority is getting back to my interests (this blog included). I love reading blogs and writing one myself and I have let a lot of that go and have just turned into a bum. No more!! I can't say that I will be so faithful as to write everyday, but I really want to write as much as I can and to keep up with the blogs that I follow.
I love sewing and I have a few projects lined up that I would love to get moving on so that is on the to-do list. Some of those projects are: nursing pads, maternity pants, quilt, and draw string bag. I also have a pile of clothes that need to be mended.
And I'm committing to getting back to my "crunchy" research and trying new things. I decided way back to make my own detergent because it saves money and because I know what the ingredients are. I am looking into trying soap nuts because that is even a more natural version than the detergent I make. I also decided to use cloth diapers because once again it saves money and also there are no chemical in a cloth diaper that come in contact with my son's skin. I have been very lazy with the cloth diapers and been spending way too much money on disposables. No more of that! I use disposables for night time (Ti pees a lot at night and I haven't figured out a way to make cloth work) and for outings (like shopping or church) and babysitters. I'm also getting into learning how to cook more with "real" food and trying to stay away from processed stuff. I don't have my own kitchen so that it a little harder, but I'm learning all I can now so I can apply it when I do have my own kitchen. I've also been reading lots and lots on the "no-poo" method (no shampoo) and other things like that. I'm not really ready to try it- mostly because I love the smell of shampoo and probably because I'm lazy.
So anyway- I'm recommitting to the things that matter and the things that make life worth it and enjoyable. And as a thank you for reading this massive post here are some pictures:
Saturday, July 9, 2011
My Saturday goals
1. Laundry- cloth diapers, clothes, towels, bedding
2. Organize the bedroom a little bit
3. Pick last load of stuff that needs to be put in storage
4. Pay bills
5. Take a nap
Super fun, huh?
2. Organize the bedroom a little bit
3. Pick last load of stuff that needs to be put in storage
4. Pay bills
5. Take a nap
Super fun, huh?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
It's been awhile...
So.
It's been awhile.
A long while.
I've been in a rut lately and blogging just wasn't a priority.
Actually, truth be told nothing but myself has been a priority. I have been wrapped up in myself and with that usually comes a very low self-esteem which makes me NOT want to talk about myself. Weird, right? I would assume that if someone was being as selfish as me that they would love to talk about themselves. That is so not the case.
God has been working on my heart and convicting me of my selfishness. And for this I'm extremely grateful. I'm grateful that my God doesn't give up on me. That He loves me, no matter what. I'm also extremely excited for how God is going to change me and mold me to make me more like Him. I'm excited to live in the freedom of Christ rather than the trap of sin.
Feel free to check up on me. I'm not very good at this. I'm still learning.
It's been awhile.
A long while.
I've been in a rut lately and blogging just wasn't a priority.
Actually, truth be told nothing but myself has been a priority. I have been wrapped up in myself and with that usually comes a very low self-esteem which makes me NOT want to talk about myself. Weird, right? I would assume that if someone was being as selfish as me that they would love to talk about themselves. That is so not the case.
God has been working on my heart and convicting me of my selfishness. And for this I'm extremely grateful. I'm grateful that my God doesn't give up on me. That He loves me, no matter what. I'm also extremely excited for how God is going to change me and mold me to make me more like Him. I'm excited to live in the freedom of Christ rather than the trap of sin.
Feel free to check up on me. I'm not very good at this. I'm still learning.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Rain, rain go away
There is a time and place for rain and apparently it's all the time!
I love how green everything is while it's raining and right after. It's a deep green that fades quickly with lots of sunlight. It's beautiful!
Rain is needed to help things grow and all that jazz, but seriously! Enough already! We have had rain every day for a week and it's in the forecast for the next week. Our gardens are waters, the trees are watered. Everything is watered and our backyard is turning into a pond! The poor farmers need to start working the fields and they need to cut hay soon, but they can't because it's raining.
I know I shouldn't complain and that I should be grateful. I am thankful for the rain. But, I am also thankful for sunlight! I wish we had more of it! :) I need sunlight. It makes me happy and helps me feel normal! :)Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny and warm. Too bad it's only for one day, though- not enough for people to get things done. But the sunshine will be greatly appreciated!!
I need to move to a sunnier place....
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Greatest Thing Ever!
Greatest thing ever? Falling in love with my husband all over again! Granted, you might not agree (I hope you don't! ;o) ), but I think it's pretty freakin' awesome! I don't know where it came from. I don't know if it's that my exhaustion level is going down or if it's a blessing of my milk supply going away. Maybe it's all hormone-based. Who knows! BUT I don't really care where it came from or why. I LOVE Bryan!
I think he's amazing! My heart races when I think of him. He's the highlight of my day! I dyed my hair to surprise and bless him, (even though my new hair color isn't popular among others), and I was so excited for him to see it! I'm very proud of him! He works hard all the time to provide for our family. He strives to grow in Christ and to love me the way God says he should.
Bryan is also an amazing father! Titus literally gets upset every time Bryan leaves the room. I love watching Bryan with Titus and seeing how they bond and have fun.
I think he's amazing! My heart races when I think of him. He's the highlight of my day! I dyed my hair to surprise and bless him, (even though my new hair color isn't popular among others), and I was so excited for him to see it! I'm very proud of him! He works hard all the time to provide for our family. He strives to grow in Christ and to love me the way God says he should.
Bryan is also an amazing father! Titus literally gets upset every time Bryan leaves the room. I love watching Bryan with Titus and seeing how they bond and have fun.
I love him. End of story.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pride
I've been really struggling with pride over the last year or so. My area of pride? Motherhood! I have been prideful of my attempt at natural delivery and how people thought I was some hero for what I went through that day, especially since I ended up with C-section. I was prideful that my 5 week old baby was sleeping through the night. I was prideful that my son had figured out how to scoot around on his back at a freakishly young age. I was and am prideful of so many things!!!!
The most recent convicted area of my pride has been nursing Titus. I don't know why but I took such pride in what my body was doing for my son and for how *easy* it was. Every time there was a problem my first reaction has always been fear. Why? Because my precious pride has been on the line. God has been very gracious to me and has been working on exposing this sin in my heart over the last couple months. It has hit it's climax over the last couple of days. My milk supply seems to be almost gone. :( I went from nursing Ti about 5 times a day and at night if he needed it to probably 3 times today if I can even do that. I'm sad I couldn't make it to a year and the thought of this season of motherhood being over makes me want to cuddle Ti and nurse him for hours! I feel like it's being ripped away from me. I'm not really ready and Titus is ready either. When he cries and roots around and I have nothing it kills me. Yesterday I let him nurse as much as he wanted hoping it would help bring back my supply but all it did was make me sore and make him cranky.
Thankfully, my God is gracious and kind. He will give me the strength I need to get through this season. He will give me wisdom to know how to help Ti through this season as well. I'm grateful God has exposed my sin and is working on my heart to make me more like Himself. I'm still sad that Titus will be weaned before I had originally planned but I know that God is still sovereign. He is not far removed from my problem, even if at times it feels like it. He's right here, with me, holding my hand. His kindness and grace will get us through this and I can rest in that.
4 Generations
My Grandpa, Dad, Ethan (brother), and Jack (my nephew).
My Grandma, Dad, me, and Titus.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
MIL's garden
This is the garden that Bryan and I redid for Mother's Day. Sadly I didn't remember to take "before" pictures.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
My New Hobby
I have discovered I love gardening!!! :o) Bryan and I reworked his mother's garden for mother's day and I fell in love. I love getting my hands dirty while I weed and plant new flowers. I love the bright colors of flowers. I love the reminder new plants bring of new life in Christ. I'm going to focus on flowers this year and hopefully will branch out next year.
This post is ridiculously short, but I just needed to share that gardening is awesome! I will post pictures of the garden and of my "flower buckets" sometime this week- hopefully!
This post is ridiculously short, but I just needed to share that gardening is awesome! I will post pictures of the garden and of my "flower buckets" sometime this week- hopefully!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Mmhmmm Good
Whole wheat cal zones with pepperoni or hamburger meat.
Sorry, I forgot to take a finished picture. These puppies were soo good!!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Best. Dog. Ever.
Hi! My name is Feliz.
I am a Australian Shepard/Lab mix.
I am beautiful!
I am also very crazy. I'm terrified of thunderstorms, firecrackers, plow trucks, and gunfire. At the first of any of the aforementioned things I shake, pant, and try to turn into a lapdog. It's not my fault I'm too big! I might even try to sit on your head! I also don't like to be left alone- inside or out. I most likely will cause some sort of property damage if you do either.
I am a very patient dog. This past weekend I hung out with my nephew, Titus. He is a crazy kid! He thinks I'm an obstacle course- something to climb over. He pulls my fur, bites my tail, smacks my head, and STEALS MY BALLS!!! But I just lick him all over and if necessary move to the other side of the room or my favorite spot on the couch for a break. Titus seems to like me. A lot. All. the. time. Whenever he was awake he came looking for me. It was a fun weekend. I enjoyed playing with Titus, but I REALLY enjoyed Ti's naps. :o)
Dear Feliz:
You are, indeed, the best dog ever. Thank you for be such a good girl and for being so patient with my kid. I'm sure it was annoying to be crawled over constantly and whacked with a a toy wrench. You are awesome!
Love,
Leah
I am a Australian Shepard/Lab mix.
I am beautiful!
I am also very crazy. I'm terrified of thunderstorms, firecrackers, plow trucks, and gunfire. At the first of any of the aforementioned things I shake, pant, and try to turn into a lapdog. It's not my fault I'm too big! I might even try to sit on your head! I also don't like to be left alone- inside or out. I most likely will cause some sort of property damage if you do either.
**Feliz wearing her "Thunder coat"**
I am a very patient dog. This past weekend I hung out with my nephew, Titus. He is a crazy kid! He thinks I'm an obstacle course- something to climb over. He pulls my fur, bites my tail, smacks my head, and STEALS MY BALLS!!! But I just lick him all over and if necessary move to the other side of the room or my favorite spot on the couch for a break. Titus seems to like me. A lot. All. the. time. Whenever he was awake he came looking for me. It was a fun weekend. I enjoyed playing with Titus, but I REALLY enjoyed Ti's naps. :o)
Dear Feliz:
You are, indeed, the best dog ever. Thank you for be such a good girl and for being so patient with my kid. I'm sure it was annoying to be crawled over constantly and whacked with a a toy wrench. You are awesome!
Love,
Leah
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Yogurt Head
Awhile back I tried yogurt at a restaurant. I had been reading about it's health benefit and was very curious whether or not I would like it. I LOVED it!! I asked the waitress what kind it was and was told it vanilla. Hmmm it was soooo good!! I decided to try plain yogurt as well because I know that plain has less sugar and probably is even better for you. It was gross! (Sorry to those of you who like it...me not so much.)
So, I'm sticking to vanilla, which actually doesn't have that much more sugar than plain- not enough to deter me from it's deliciousness. I've also been reading up on foods for Titus now that he's in the wonderful stage of solids. Having read that while cow's milk *should* be avoided until about 12 months, yogurt is great for babies I figured he should try some. He. loves. it!!!!! I started out giving it to him with breakfast. Fruit first than a little bit of yogurt. Then I gave him yogurt after lunch one day and then after dinner on another. Now he has it three times a day and it doesn't matter how much other food he eats, he's always game for some yogurt! The last few days, however, he hasn't been into eating solids. I don't know what's up with him. He will eat his yogurt though! Not as much as he used to, but he will flat out refuse everything else. I'm not sure how good it is for him to eat that three meals a day but there are worse things he could be eating. :o)
So, I'm sticking to vanilla, which actually doesn't have that much more sugar than plain- not enough to deter me from it's deliciousness. I've also been reading up on foods for Titus now that he's in the wonderful stage of solids. Having read that while cow's milk *should* be avoided until about 12 months, yogurt is great for babies I figured he should try some. He. loves. it!!!!! I started out giving it to him with breakfast. Fruit first than a little bit of yogurt. Then I gave him yogurt after lunch one day and then after dinner on another. Now he has it three times a day and it doesn't matter how much other food he eats, he's always game for some yogurt! The last few days, however, he hasn't been into eating solids. I don't know what's up with him. He will eat his yogurt though! Not as much as he used to, but he will flat out refuse everything else. I'm not sure how good it is for him to eat that three meals a day but there are worse things he could be eating. :o)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Trials: Friend or Foe?
For most people if asked this question- "Are trials good or bad?" they would immediately say, "Bad!". That would honestly be my first thought as well. Who wants trials in their life? Isn't the goal to have a smooth life? Most days I could easily go without any trials. I wouldn't miss them!
While reading my Bible this morning, I found a couple verses that taught me that trails are a good thing! What?!?! That definitely goes against anything that I think or feel when dealing with a trial. But, it's true. According to God's Word, trials are good and we should "count it all joy" when we "meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2-4 ESV). Here are the full verses:
While reading my Bible this morning, I found a couple verses that taught me that trails are a good thing! What?!?! That definitely goes against anything that I think or feel when dealing with a trial. But, it's true. According to God's Word, trials are good and we should "count it all joy" when we "meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2-4 ESV). Here are the full verses:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy"...yeah, that does not sound like something I want to do! When I'm having a hard day or facing a challenge, I don't want to be joyful! I want to pout and have a bad attitude and for people to feel bad for me. But, that is my human, sinful response to tests or trials that God, in His sovereign grace, may allow me to go through. God doesn't call me to live by my emotions, but to live by faith. Faith in Him! He knows what He's doing. He's in control and will "work all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28 ESV). Side-note: notice that in Romans it says God will work things together for good according to HIS purpose! Not mine, my husband's, or my neighbor's. His. His purpose and His alone. This reminds me of a verse in Isaiah that says, " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV).
I should be looking at trials and tests as a chance to grow in steadfastness. Now, when I first read these verses I wasn't sure what steadfastness was. I knew it was good and a character quality that God wanted in my life, but I didn't know how to define it. Praise God for dictionaries! :o) According to dictionary.reference.com steadfastness means- "fixed in direction; steadily directed/ firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person/ unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc./ firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs./ firmly fixed in place or position." Being steadfast means to be firm or, my favorite, unwavering. God wants us to grow in faith so we can be firm and unwavering in what we believe and what we know is true!
Trials and tests are supposed to be teaching us to be steadfast in our faith in God. A chance to grow should be viewed as a blessing and greeted with joy. I know. Looking at tests and trials with joy and excitement at the chance to grow seems impossible but Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 ESV). I can't change my view of trials on my own. I need God to work in my heart and renew my mind to have the correct perspective. I want to grow in my faith. I want to be described as steadfast. It won't happen overnight.
But with God, it will happen. :o)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Heartbreaking
My son breaks my heart! It's nap time. He's beyond ready for sleep and yet he's upstairs crying. He's been crying for 25 minutes now. There was a lull and I was hoping he would drift off but no! He started up again. I have checked on him and he's fine- just stubborn. He still prefers to sleep in our bed even though he has a brand new crib that is awesome! (Thanks to Gramma Sherri!)
I don't know if it's the teething or a possible growth spurt but this little boy is so clingy! I love that he wants and needs me. I really do. I know it doesn't seem like it as I sit here and write this post while he's upstairs crying. But I do love him. I love him so much that I want him to be able to sleep, and sleep on his own, and sleep well. We're working on that first part and the second will be my next target. You see, my fantastic little boy has ceased sleeping through the night. I thought I had it made. In reality, I did have it made. Titus slept through the night consistently from August to December. Then he started getting teeth, and sick, and more teeth, and sick again. Sickness has passed, but teeth are still coming and he has lost the ability to sleep through the night apparently. I'm grateful for the time he did sleep through the night. It was awesome for me to be able to recover from surgery and adjust to being a mommy while getting lots of sleep. Yes, I would love even 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep, especially now with a VERY active 9 month old, but it's part of the mommy thing! :o)
Okay- Ti has now been crying for 35 minutes and the coughing that precedes the puking has started. Off I go to calm him down and start the process all. over. again.
I don't know if it's the teething or a possible growth spurt but this little boy is so clingy! I love that he wants and needs me. I really do. I know it doesn't seem like it as I sit here and write this post while he's upstairs crying. But I do love him. I love him so much that I want him to be able to sleep, and sleep on his own, and sleep well. We're working on that first part and the second will be my next target. You see, my fantastic little boy has ceased sleeping through the night. I thought I had it made. In reality, I did have it made. Titus slept through the night consistently from August to December. Then he started getting teeth, and sick, and more teeth, and sick again. Sickness has passed, but teeth are still coming and he has lost the ability to sleep through the night apparently. I'm grateful for the time he did sleep through the night. It was awesome for me to be able to recover from surgery and adjust to being a mommy while getting lots of sleep. Yes, I would love even 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep, especially now with a VERY active 9 month old, but it's part of the mommy thing! :o)
Okay- Ti has now been crying for 35 minutes and the coughing that precedes the puking has started. Off I go to calm him down and start the process all. over. again.
Monday, April 4, 2011
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