2.28.2011
2.27.2011
2.24.2011
Pimp My Ride
But even better than MTV! While in IL this weekend for Brian's niece's birthday party, we went to check out this specific car. And through a series of God led "open doors," we purchased it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the upgrade and the fact that a) I can get Ethan in and out of a four door vehicle. b) feel warm before getting to wherever we're going. c) bring Kaika on errands without squishing him in the back...and of course many other ammenities =0D
On Being a Mamma
God is continually guiding my thoughts and working in my heart to understand His role of womanhood for me. So, here's another on going lesson. As I've mentioned before I've been struggling for the longest time of not wanting to stay-at-home but feeling like it's what a "good" Christian mother SHOULD do. And the nagging feeling of not "loving it," but I just do it anyway because it's what I'm SUPPOSED to do. So I look to the world for answers and of course they're all conflicting. Anyway this past week, I've learned the how and why God created Adam and Eve differently in Genesis 2. I walked away with two things:
1. The wife is created to be a "helper" to the husband. It isn't done to exalt the man, but to help him fulfill his purpose of glorifying God.
2. Because Eve was created in the garden, as opposed to Adam being created outside of the garden, her first responsibility is in the home.
Knowing that is from the Lord makes it so much easier to find joy, purpose and importance in what I'm doing. And being able to do it wholeheartedly.
Along the same note, this is the first time that I felt a sense of lost as Ethan is getting older and time is only moving forward. I know before I just couldn't wait until he gets to a certain stage where he could walk or talk, etc. Not that I want the baby stage back or anything =0P, but it does make me truly try to live each day to the fullest. Taking myself less seriously and laughing more. His 2nd birthday came and went and there isn't going to be another Ethan's 2nd birthday or another today really.
A couple other things that God has brought to light to help me appreciate it all: learning that our friends' son in India was born with 3 major complications and all the while trying to take care of a newborn. I just can't imagine the stress level. And also, I read an article recently about a lady fighting breast cancer while trying to raise her daughter. It just made me have a thankful heart!
1. The wife is created to be a "helper" to the husband. It isn't done to exalt the man, but to help him fulfill his purpose of glorifying God.
2. Because Eve was created in the garden, as opposed to Adam being created outside of the garden, her first responsibility is in the home.
Knowing that is from the Lord makes it so much easier to find joy, purpose and importance in what I'm doing. And being able to do it wholeheartedly.
Along the same note, this is the first time that I felt a sense of lost as Ethan is getting older and time is only moving forward. I know before I just couldn't wait until he gets to a certain stage where he could walk or talk, etc. Not that I want the baby stage back or anything =0P, but it does make me truly try to live each day to the fullest. Taking myself less seriously and laughing more. His 2nd birthday came and went and there isn't going to be another Ethan's 2nd birthday or another today really.
A couple other things that God has brought to light to help me appreciate it all: learning that our friends' son in India was born with 3 major complications and all the while trying to take care of a newborn. I just can't imagine the stress level. And also, I read an article recently about a lady fighting breast cancer while trying to raise her daughter. It just made me have a thankful heart!
2.21.2011
2.20.2011
You Are God Alone
I was really moved by these words during worship at church today. Lately I've been reminded of how much God is so much bigger than I made him to be. And when it came down to it, He is God and really doesn't need me. But I am here today standing before him worthy because He loves me.
You Are God Alone
by Phillips Craig And Dean
You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are
You Are God Alone
by Phillips Craig And Dean
You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are
2.16.2011
"Twittering on Blog"
Just got home from small group tonight where it was our turn to watch 8 kids. Holy moly, we're overwhelmed and exhausted!!!!!!!!!!
"Twittering" on Blog
Bad news: Today is the last day Julie is watching Ethan on a weekly basis. Good news: Ethan got in the Parents Day Out preschool program in the Fall.
2.15.2011
Thoughts
So many things going on lately and so many thoughts going through my head, I feel like I need to sit down and blog.
First things first, the weather is warming up and the snow is melting rapidly. That's always a spirit-lifter. We've gone on family walks 3 consecutive days and I know Kaika is a happier dog because of that. He tried to lay out on the deck yesterday and realized that maybe it's not all that warm quite just yet. Soon enough though. Ethan, of course, loved the puddles. What is it with boys and puddles?
We had a really nice Valentine's weekend celebration. Friday, we had a family outting and went to River Music Experience for some music. Followed by drinks and dessert at Symposium. And let me tell you, Ethan REALLY enjoyed his strawberry shake. I had to let go and just enjoy the night considering I'm such a stickler when it comes to Ethan's sugar and sweets intake (especially right before bedtime). Saturday, Brian and I got a sitter and went out to dinner. It was SO nice to be able to talk and reconnect again as a couple since I've been sick forever and Brian just got over his cold. I really hated sleeping in separate rooms and running on surviver mode. Yesterday, we had a nice candle lit dinner at home although Ethan kept asking to blow them out before we even ate. What a funny kid!
Ethan, some days, are more resillient than others. Not sure if time outs (for hitting) are working as efficiently as before, but I don't know what else to do. There are a lot of "No's" but also a lot of "Thank you Mamma" and hugs and kisses that make me smile. Bed times get really strung out because he doesn't seem to EVER want to go to bed. Right now, he's eating A LOT! We would have breakfast, then 2nd breakfast and then snack. Not much lunch, then more snacks after nap up until dinner. We have to bribe him to eat dinner, then more snacks up until bed time. I feel like I'm constantly feeding him so I try to do healthier stuff like fruit. But he's always asking for sugary cereals and cookies. Ai yai yai!
My Tuesday women's bible study is going extremely well and actually life changing. I'm learning so many truths I want for my life that it has been a little overwhelming. So I'm just trying to take one application at a time. The most recent revelation is learning that I'm a woman of God, first and foremost and then a wife and a mother. To some, this might not be a huge "Ah" moment, but to me it was!!!. As I search for my identity, happiness and joy (after kid), I realized that it has to come from God. He is the only one who could completely fulfill that in my life. My womanhood is a distinctive calling to display "the glory of His Son." And what that looks like is through my roles as a wife and a mother, which ultimately points back to God. It isn't about me. It never has been. Anyway, that understanding has freed me and given me peace as I find joy and honor in taking care of my family and even being at home because it's a priviledge instead of a task. The verse Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" has also taken a different meaning for me. Desires of your heart is so much more than just having a husband or kids which will someday perish. But it's about God giving you the desires to do what pleases Him and glorifies Him because again all that points back to God who is eternal forever and ever.
First things first, the weather is warming up and the snow is melting rapidly. That's always a spirit-lifter. We've gone on family walks 3 consecutive days and I know Kaika is a happier dog because of that. He tried to lay out on the deck yesterday and realized that maybe it's not all that warm quite just yet. Soon enough though. Ethan, of course, loved the puddles. What is it with boys and puddles?
We had a really nice Valentine's weekend celebration. Friday, we had a family outting and went to River Music Experience for some music. Followed by drinks and dessert at Symposium. And let me tell you, Ethan REALLY enjoyed his strawberry shake. I had to let go and just enjoy the night considering I'm such a stickler when it comes to Ethan's sugar and sweets intake (especially right before bedtime). Saturday, Brian and I got a sitter and went out to dinner. It was SO nice to be able to talk and reconnect again as a couple since I've been sick forever and Brian just got over his cold. I really hated sleeping in separate rooms and running on surviver mode. Yesterday, we had a nice candle lit dinner at home although Ethan kept asking to blow them out before we even ate. What a funny kid!
Ethan, some days, are more resillient than others. Not sure if time outs (for hitting) are working as efficiently as before, but I don't know what else to do. There are a lot of "No's" but also a lot of "Thank you Mamma" and hugs and kisses that make me smile. Bed times get really strung out because he doesn't seem to EVER want to go to bed. Right now, he's eating A LOT! We would have breakfast, then 2nd breakfast and then snack. Not much lunch, then more snacks after nap up until dinner. We have to bribe him to eat dinner, then more snacks up until bed time. I feel like I'm constantly feeding him so I try to do healthier stuff like fruit. But he's always asking for sugary cereals and cookies. Ai yai yai!
My Tuesday women's bible study is going extremely well and actually life changing. I'm learning so many truths I want for my life that it has been a little overwhelming. So I'm just trying to take one application at a time. The most recent revelation is learning that I'm a woman of God, first and foremost and then a wife and a mother. To some, this might not be a huge "Ah" moment, but to me it was!!!. As I search for my identity, happiness and joy (after kid), I realized that it has to come from God. He is the only one who could completely fulfill that in my life. My womanhood is a distinctive calling to display "the glory of His Son." And what that looks like is through my roles as a wife and a mother, which ultimately points back to God. It isn't about me. It never has been. Anyway, that understanding has freed me and given me peace as I find joy and honor in taking care of my family and even being at home because it's a priviledge instead of a task. The verse Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" has also taken a different meaning for me. Desires of your heart is so much more than just having a husband or kids which will someday perish. But it's about God giving you the desires to do what pleases Him and glorifies Him because again all that points back to God who is eternal forever and ever.
2.10.2011
Wishful Thinking
So, the frigid cold weather has been unbearable lately. And I couldn't help but think back to this time last year when we were in FL.
Spending a day in Sanibel Island:
A yummy picnic lunch.
Haha
Oh warm weather, where art thou?
Spending a day in Sanibel Island:
Oh warm weather, where art thou?
2.03.2011
Blizzard of 2011
So yesterday we were literally snowed in. Couldn't go anywhere even if we wanted to. Brian was hoping to go into work by 9 am, but the plows didn't actually come until 4 pm. He ended up spending most of the day digging us and the neighbors out. Talk about craziness. I think we got a total of 16.8" by the end.
Anyway, just a little health update: Ethan and I have both been on antibiotic for a week now. Him for ear infection and me for sinus infection, but the meds aren't doing the trick. So we'll have to go back to the doctor again to see what's going on. Wish we both would just get over this soon and actually feel 100% again.
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