Its Late. My kids will be waking up in about 6 1/2 hours. So why am I up? We had a few rounds of lets see who can cry the most between the kids. Just a rough night I guess for the kids to get to sleep. I love my children but its truly a test of patience on nights like these. This always seems to happen when Greg is out of town for work. Its a reminder of how much I need to rely on the Lord and not myself.
I recently finished reading a book called Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin. Very good book and also convicting. Even though its a fictional book its written by a christian author who not only is amazing with her history but with her scripture and love of the Lord. Tonight as I started to become overwhelmed I thought about something said in this book. "I think you have gotten everything turned around, dear. You're supposed to work with God, not for Him. Let Him change you first, and then He'll give you the strength and motivation you need for each task."
I always thought I am doing this for the Lord and yes I am but I cant do it without him. I need his help ever step of the way if I want my kids to know him someday.
I also went to Psalm 61
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
I am so very blessed. My children need me to be close with the Lord. He will teach me patience and love. This gives me hope. I can do this. I can raise 2 kids and someday more. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to be a mother. I am grateful!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A good feeling
Today was a good day. I put on a pair of shorts I have not been able to wear since before Sam was born. This was a great feeling and motivation to keep going.
One thing that has been hard with being a stay at home mom is motivation. With not making money I would feel useless. Now I know raising kids is a full time job and we are very blessed to be able to have me stay home. Seeing myself lose weight AND how happy and amazing my kids are is motivation in itself.
What is my weight loss secret you say? Well I was on weight watchers for 3 months. That was really helpful but I decided to do it on my own. Work out at least 2 or 3 times a week which is hard with kids! Small portions. EAT BREAKFAST. Drink lots of water. Dont eat past 7. If you do make sure its a small snack. And have confidence that you can do this. Seriously it helps.
I am no expert but this is what has worked for me. I am feeling good!
One thing that has been hard with being a stay at home mom is motivation. With not making money I would feel useless. Now I know raising kids is a full time job and we are very blessed to be able to have me stay home. Seeing myself lose weight AND how happy and amazing my kids are is motivation in itself.
What is my weight loss secret you say? Well I was on weight watchers for 3 months. That was really helpful but I decided to do it on my own. Work out at least 2 or 3 times a week which is hard with kids! Small portions. EAT BREAKFAST. Drink lots of water. Dont eat past 7. If you do make sure its a small snack. And have confidence that you can do this. Seriously it helps.
I am no expert but this is what has worked for me. I am feeling good!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Lessons in Life
I was thinking this morning as I was strategically planning to take a shower. Avery went down for her first nap and put a movie in for Sam. Sweet! SHOWER TIME.
This got me thinking, WOW, I will make time for a shower or other things but I cant seem to remember to make time for God. Yes showers are great and I probably needed one. Some know what its like to have little ones and trying to take a shower. I need to make the time for God. I know this will help me get through my day.
I also need to make some time for a work out! How do I pull out extra energy to get some exercise? I mean I do it but by the end of the day I am one wiped out mom. Nothing left in me. I just have to remember these kids are a blessing and I may be tired but I am healthy and blessed. I am trying to lose another 40 pounds. I know I can do this. It will take time but I will do it one day at a time.
This got me thinking, WOW, I will make time for a shower or other things but I cant seem to remember to make time for God. Yes showers are great and I probably needed one. Some know what its like to have little ones and trying to take a shower. I need to make the time for God. I know this will help me get through my day.
I also need to make some time for a work out! How do I pull out extra energy to get some exercise? I mean I do it but by the end of the day I am one wiped out mom. Nothing left in me. I just have to remember these kids are a blessing and I may be tired but I am healthy and blessed. I am trying to lose another 40 pounds. I know I can do this. It will take time but I will do it one day at a time.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A reason
Sometimes I think what Sam will do when he is older, how he will serve the Lord, or just occupation. Today while we were at JoAnn's Fabric I realized it doesnt matter right now, the Lord knows. Right now I think he is here to make others smile. To make everyone he meets feel extra special. Which he does perfectly. He loves saying "hi!" right now. If someone responds back he continues to talk in jibberish with a few animal noises. It can put a smile on even the grumpiest looking person in the store. It warms my heart. Nothing can make a stranger open up like a child with a smile can. Avery got a few smiles too.
My children are amazing to me. Not only do they love me unconditionally but they love others as well. Why cant I do the same? Why cant I say hi to people in the store and make them smile? Thats cuz I would rather keep to myself but I know I need to not do this. I decided to engage in conversation with this lady today at the store when she smiled at Avery. We stood in line waiting for our turn to get our fabric cut. She continued to tell me she was making costumes for Easter pageant for kids. She just started talking and I just stood there smiling and listening. Sometimes people just want someone to talk to. So why not the next time you are in line just say hi. You never know what you will do for someone or find out.
This makes me think of a man I knew in my old church who recently passed away. He would walk into a store and just ask if he could pray for someone. He shared the love of christ EVERYWHERE he went. Just even shared friendship. We as people just are too comfortable and would rather just do our own thing rather than meet new people even if its for 5 minutes. Time for change!
My children are amazing to me. Not only do they love me unconditionally but they love others as well. Why cant I do the same? Why cant I say hi to people in the store and make them smile? Thats cuz I would rather keep to myself but I know I need to not do this. I decided to engage in conversation with this lady today at the store when she smiled at Avery. We stood in line waiting for our turn to get our fabric cut. She continued to tell me she was making costumes for Easter pageant for kids. She just started talking and I just stood there smiling and listening. Sometimes people just want someone to talk to. So why not the next time you are in line just say hi. You never know what you will do for someone or find out.
This makes me think of a man I knew in my old church who recently passed away. He would walk into a store and just ask if he could pray for someone. He shared the love of christ EVERYWHERE he went. Just even shared friendship. We as people just are too comfortable and would rather just do our own thing rather than meet new people even if its for 5 minutes. Time for change!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Observation
Its amazing the stuff you learn as you have children. Its even more amazing the stuff the Lord teaches you when you have children. I have been humbled many times and convicted. I am forever grateful for it though. When the Lord teaches me this stuff I cant help but praise Him and say DUH to myself.
Some things I have learned as a parent...
1. Kids soak up everything: Sam loves his Daddy. You can tell he wants to be like him because if Greg does something then most likely Sam will be right behind him doing it. Greg dances, Sam dances. He also soaks up my attitude. If I dont have a good attitude then he is more likely to not have a good one either. He thrives off of my good moods. I have decided I cant watch the news anymore in the morning. When I do I seem distant from my child and he just starts acting up. The mornings where I have just put on some good music(thank you Pandora for the Passion station) he is well behaved and so eager to learn and play. He entertains himself too sometimes so I can get some things done. When they go down for their nap around noon I then need to read my bible so that for the second half of the day I am revamped and ready to go! Sam gets to watch some cartoons in the morning but I recently have been sometimes cutting it out to see how he is. He seems to do better without. All he wants to do is run around and play. Maybe its the good music singing about the Lord that helps or just some time to be a kid! Who knows. But I do know that they soak up their environment good or bad. We have to set that mood and not only does it help their mood but it helps mine as a parent. The Lord convicted me about this last night as I was talking to Him.
2. Faith Like A Child: Reminds me of that awesome Jars of Clay song. Brings back memories. But it is so true. Our children have so much faith in us. The same that we should have in the Lord. They have faith we will always be there. That if they run off into a crowd we are right behind them. If they need anything we are there. And we usually always are. God is ALWAYS there and we need to have the kind of faith a child does.
3. Love: You learn as a parent a new kind of love. One that you have never experienced before that tiny baby started growing inside of you and then finally when you get to meet them face to face. Your heart aches so much because you love them so much. Its so hard to describe. God has that kind of love for us and even more. More than we love our own children which is hard to grasp but true. I am so thankful for the Love of my Lord. I know I need to work on my love for my family. I have been blessed!
Just some stuff I was thinking about. But most of all I must realize God comes first then my husband and then my kids. I want my kids to see a strong relationship I have with God and then with their Dad. I am not perfect so I have to work on this but with the Lord's help anything is possible.
Now to end with a favorite song:
Verse:
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To see a revolution somehow.
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To bring a revolution somehow
Pre- chorus
Now I'm lost in your freedom
This world I'll overcome.
Chorus:
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
Verse 2:
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead
I need a resurrection somehow
Bridge:
Let Heaven roar and fire fall
come shake the ground
with the sound of revival
Some things I have learned as a parent...
1. Kids soak up everything: Sam loves his Daddy. You can tell he wants to be like him because if Greg does something then most likely Sam will be right behind him doing it. Greg dances, Sam dances. He also soaks up my attitude. If I dont have a good attitude then he is more likely to not have a good one either. He thrives off of my good moods. I have decided I cant watch the news anymore in the morning. When I do I seem distant from my child and he just starts acting up. The mornings where I have just put on some good music(thank you Pandora for the Passion station) he is well behaved and so eager to learn and play. He entertains himself too sometimes so I can get some things done. When they go down for their nap around noon I then need to read my bible so that for the second half of the day I am revamped and ready to go! Sam gets to watch some cartoons in the morning but I recently have been sometimes cutting it out to see how he is. He seems to do better without. All he wants to do is run around and play. Maybe its the good music singing about the Lord that helps or just some time to be a kid! Who knows. But I do know that they soak up their environment good or bad. We have to set that mood and not only does it help their mood but it helps mine as a parent. The Lord convicted me about this last night as I was talking to Him.
2. Faith Like A Child: Reminds me of that awesome Jars of Clay song. Brings back memories. But it is so true. Our children have so much faith in us. The same that we should have in the Lord. They have faith we will always be there. That if they run off into a crowd we are right behind them. If they need anything we are there. And we usually always are. God is ALWAYS there and we need to have the kind of faith a child does.
3. Love: You learn as a parent a new kind of love. One that you have never experienced before that tiny baby started growing inside of you and then finally when you get to meet them face to face. Your heart aches so much because you love them so much. Its so hard to describe. God has that kind of love for us and even more. More than we love our own children which is hard to grasp but true. I am so thankful for the Love of my Lord. I know I need to work on my love for my family. I have been blessed!
Just some stuff I was thinking about. But most of all I must realize God comes first then my husband and then my kids. I want my kids to see a strong relationship I have with God and then with their Dad. I am not perfect so I have to work on this but with the Lord's help anything is possible.
Now to end with a favorite song:
Verse:
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To see a revolution somehow.
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To bring a revolution somehow
Pre- chorus
Now I'm lost in your freedom
This world I'll overcome.
Chorus:
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion
Verse 2:
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead
I need a resurrection somehow
Bridge:
Let Heaven roar and fire fall
come shake the ground
with the sound of revival
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Typical
As I was laying in bed last night my mind was racing as it usually does until I talk to the Lord.
I was thinking of how when women get together we always talk about the same thing. No matter what. Especially if we dont see the person on a regular basis. Let me explain the best I can. Things I think about dont always come out the same when I write(or type) them down. Also, I am NOT saying any of this is wrong hahahaha.
1. Parenting: If I get together with other women, who also have kids, we always end up on the subject of parenting. When our kids take naps, how much they eat, what they will eat and what they wont, what they can say or what they are learning. Also I think some of us feel the need to justify things we do. We shouldnt. Every parent does parenting different.
2. Exercise/Weight Loss/ eating habits: For once I would like to go somewhere eat whatever the heck I want and not feel guilty about it. Ok so this doesnt happen all the time but you know your a woman if you go somewhere and feel like you can only eat so much or just the healthy stuff because you feel like everyone in the room is skinnier than you or you dont want to come off as a pig. I just want to admit that I LOVE unhealthy food and even though I wont eat it all the time, its seems like thats the only food that is ever at get togethers with other women. Baby Showers are the number one offender, then kids birthdays, and then group dinners. Next time I will eat what I want and NOT have to tell someone I am on weight watchers so I have plenty of points today. I am losing weight for myself and myself only. I dont need to justify anything. If you think I shouldnt be eating that stuff then dont make it.
these are two main things I was thinking of and just laughing about because its so true for me. Yet all I can think about is wanting to get together more with other women.
All I have to say is if you are my friend and a woman and are reading this. I dont care what you eat, wear, if your place is messy, how you parent your child(as long as you arent being abusive of course). I love you for who you are and if you want then let me encourage you in areas you want to be encouraged or held accountable. And lets get cupcakes and shove our faces next time. Because you know you want to.
I was thinking of how when women get together we always talk about the same thing. No matter what. Especially if we dont see the person on a regular basis. Let me explain the best I can. Things I think about dont always come out the same when I write(or type) them down. Also, I am NOT saying any of this is wrong hahahaha.
1. Parenting: If I get together with other women, who also have kids, we always end up on the subject of parenting. When our kids take naps, how much they eat, what they will eat and what they wont, what they can say or what they are learning. Also I think some of us feel the need to justify things we do. We shouldnt. Every parent does parenting different.
2. Exercise/Weight Loss/ eating habits: For once I would like to go somewhere eat whatever the heck I want and not feel guilty about it. Ok so this doesnt happen all the time but you know your a woman if you go somewhere and feel like you can only eat so much or just the healthy stuff because you feel like everyone in the room is skinnier than you or you dont want to come off as a pig. I just want to admit that I LOVE unhealthy food and even though I wont eat it all the time, its seems like thats the only food that is ever at get togethers with other women. Baby Showers are the number one offender, then kids birthdays, and then group dinners. Next time I will eat what I want and NOT have to tell someone I am on weight watchers so I have plenty of points today. I am losing weight for myself and myself only. I dont need to justify anything. If you think I shouldnt be eating that stuff then dont make it.
these are two main things I was thinking of and just laughing about because its so true for me. Yet all I can think about is wanting to get together more with other women.
All I have to say is if you are my friend and a woman and are reading this. I dont care what you eat, wear, if your place is messy, how you parent your child(as long as you arent being abusive of course). I love you for who you are and if you want then let me encourage you in areas you want to be encouraged or held accountable. And lets get cupcakes and shove our faces next time. Because you know you want to.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
One of those days
One of those days, so tired, body is sore, cranky child. What I would like right now is a huge bath tub filled with nice warm water and bubbles. I will have to wait on that. hahaha. I do not have a huge bath tub.
Sam is getting so big. Still not saying much but I am sure one day he will just start talking and I will be like what?! Just like everything else he does. He just started signing milk. SO CUTE! He is 14 months now. Only 85 more days until he gets a brother or sister. Cant wait to be done with this pregnancy. Way too hard on my body this time around although I am not gaining as much weight as last time. I am also way more active this time around.
When Sam goes to bed tonight I am going to spend some time with the Lord. I know He will make me feel better.
Sam is getting so big. Still not saying much but I am sure one day he will just start talking and I will be like what?! Just like everything else he does. He just started signing milk. SO CUTE! He is 14 months now. Only 85 more days until he gets a brother or sister. Cant wait to be done with this pregnancy. Way too hard on my body this time around although I am not gaining as much weight as last time. I am also way more active this time around.
When Sam goes to bed tonight I am going to spend some time with the Lord. I know He will make me feel better.
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