We have a lab/german shepard mix. Her name is Sadie. She is about a year and a half and a very lovable dog. I've shared her background shortly in my last post. I will share it more in depth now.
We found her on craiglist and the owner was saying they were going to take her to the pound if no one got her by a certain day. She looked like such a sweet dog I had to go check her out. We were moving in to our new house soon so we were wanting to get a dog. She happened to be in Rathdrum the same town we were moving to. We showed up at the people's house. A young couple, super nice. The wife was pregnant and both were working so they didn't have much time for the dog. We learned she was an outside dog. Never came inside. We first entered the backyard and she at first barked and seemed a little scared. We slowly approached her and she warmed up really fast. She loved the kids instantly. Didn't bark at them and as soon as we threw a ball she was our best friend. We decided to take her. We had to come back for her since we didn't have the keys yet to our house.
When we first brought her home, she was afraid to walk on the floor. Its the fake hardwood stuff. She was very timid at first about everything in the new surroundings. Over time she warmed up and now this is her territory and she would rather be inside snuggled up than out in the yard unless we are throwing the ball of course.
Now I will admit I have had my issues with the dog. With her being needy and me trying to keep up with the kids, I have had my share of frustrations. I have felt like lately all she cares about is food food food. Constantly at our feet while we are eating. Now I know she is still learning and she is getting better. But I have to remember she isn't trying to upset me at all. She just wants food. She also is full of love to give. Always wanting to lick your face and lay down next to you. She is never wanting to annoy me. She isn't a bad dog at all. In reality she is a very good dog and just needs some love. I know we are a good family for that.
Well recently Avery has been feeding her food to Sadie. Sadie of course would gladly accept. While I keep telling Avery that this is a no no, Sadie learned that as well in the process. So today Avery was holding her food out to her and Sadie kept turning her head. You can tell it was pure torture but she didn't give in. Not that time anyways. AND OF COURSE this got me to thinking about temptation and how we will always have the temptation sticking in our face sometimes and its whether we choose to obey and not do it. This time anyways. Its amazing how much self discipline a dog can develop as it grows yet we being sinful by nature can give in easily.
Made me think of things I give in to easily instead of listening to the Lord and obeying Him. Thank you Lord for showing me through this even if it was through our dog. You have blessed this family with a loving dog who tolerates toddlers.
Sadie is warming up to me. I know as we grow together she will become my companion through the years of being a stay at home mom.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tantrums
Let me start with telling of my day on Tuesday...
Greg left for out of town on Monday for a couple days. Naturally kids become more whiney and the days are super long. Tuesday morning Avery woke up with a swollen eye. Great! So I called the doctor and scheduled an appt. Sam was in this mood where he decided to talk back to me every chance he got. As the day went on the more and more frustrated I became. I had to send Sam to his room several times because I needed a break from his attitude. Avery was just fine considering she couldnt really see out of one eye. Well I got the kids ready, warmed up the car which took forever due to ice, and needed to make a stop first before the doctor. I brought the dog with us too because I didnt have time to clean up all the toys and I didnt want to risk her chewing something.
We pull in to Target. I thought I would treat myself and the kids to something from the cafe place. Kids got popcorn and juice boxes and I got myself a pretzel with cheese. My favorite! Well I didnt have much time to eat my pretzel in store so I decided I would wait until we got in the car. We got the things we needed and Sam did great in the store. Popcorn helped. So we went out the the car. I loaded the stuff in the car and Sam says"mommy I have to go potty!" so I tucked my purse away(it at my pretzel in it) and ran with the kids back in the store to the bathroom. We get back to the car and Sadie(our dog) was acting weird. So I started to put kids in car seat and saw her reach in to my purse again and finish the rest of the pretzel she had already been eating!!! I was furious. This was the last straw of the already frustrating morning I was having. I just screamed out of pure anger. A $3 pretzel my dog got to enjoy. I couldnt even look at her. We went to the doctor and Avery just had a stye. Thank goodness it wasnt pink eye. We go home and I just put the dog outside. I couldnt stand to be around her. I just had a bad attitude the rest of the day.
Let me explain one thing, Our dog is great but she is still kind of a puppy being only 1 year old and we got her back in June and she had no training what so ever and was left out in the back yard all the time. So she is a VERY needy dog to say the least. So when I get on the floor to play with kids she is in my face licking it and then lays down on top of everything which then makes Sam go into whine mode. She is getting better though every day. Slowly learning.
Anyways so later that night the kids are in bed, I finally fall asleep around 10. With in the next 2 hours I was up at least 4 times with the kids. It was a battle. Each time I woke up I was more and more irritated. Being pregnant and sleep deprived is not a good thing. The last time I got up and prayed the Lord would change my heart towards my kids so that I could comfort them. Finally they went to sleep the rest of the night. Sam ended up in my bed.
I just realized I can throw just as much as a tantrum as my 2 1/2 year old can. I was so ashamed looking back on Tuesday and how I reacted. I made sure I gave the dog attention because I know it wasnt her fault for my bad day. She is a dog and two things are usually on their mind- Food and Ball. Ok well on Sadie's mind. I am sure the Lord was just saying Melissa come to me, I will help you through the day. But instead of listening I threw myself the biggest pity party.
I have to remember I need the Lord's help to get through the day. This reminds me of Psalm 61:1-2. Towards the end of that scripture it says Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Greg left for out of town on Monday for a couple days. Naturally kids become more whiney and the days are super long. Tuesday morning Avery woke up with a swollen eye. Great! So I called the doctor and scheduled an appt. Sam was in this mood where he decided to talk back to me every chance he got. As the day went on the more and more frustrated I became. I had to send Sam to his room several times because I needed a break from his attitude. Avery was just fine considering she couldnt really see out of one eye. Well I got the kids ready, warmed up the car which took forever due to ice, and needed to make a stop first before the doctor. I brought the dog with us too because I didnt have time to clean up all the toys and I didnt want to risk her chewing something.
We pull in to Target. I thought I would treat myself and the kids to something from the cafe place. Kids got popcorn and juice boxes and I got myself a pretzel with cheese. My favorite! Well I didnt have much time to eat my pretzel in store so I decided I would wait until we got in the car. We got the things we needed and Sam did great in the store. Popcorn helped. So we went out the the car. I loaded the stuff in the car and Sam says"mommy I have to go potty!" so I tucked my purse away(it at my pretzel in it) and ran with the kids back in the store to the bathroom. We get back to the car and Sadie(our dog) was acting weird. So I started to put kids in car seat and saw her reach in to my purse again and finish the rest of the pretzel she had already been eating!!! I was furious. This was the last straw of the already frustrating morning I was having. I just screamed out of pure anger. A $3 pretzel my dog got to enjoy. I couldnt even look at her. We went to the doctor and Avery just had a stye. Thank goodness it wasnt pink eye. We go home and I just put the dog outside. I couldnt stand to be around her. I just had a bad attitude the rest of the day.
Let me explain one thing, Our dog is great but she is still kind of a puppy being only 1 year old and we got her back in June and she had no training what so ever and was left out in the back yard all the time. So she is a VERY needy dog to say the least. So when I get on the floor to play with kids she is in my face licking it and then lays down on top of everything which then makes Sam go into whine mode. She is getting better though every day. Slowly learning.
Anyways so later that night the kids are in bed, I finally fall asleep around 10. With in the next 2 hours I was up at least 4 times with the kids. It was a battle. Each time I woke up I was more and more irritated. Being pregnant and sleep deprived is not a good thing. The last time I got up and prayed the Lord would change my heart towards my kids so that I could comfort them. Finally they went to sleep the rest of the night. Sam ended up in my bed.
I just realized I can throw just as much as a tantrum as my 2 1/2 year old can. I was so ashamed looking back on Tuesday and how I reacted. I made sure I gave the dog attention because I know it wasnt her fault for my bad day. She is a dog and two things are usually on their mind- Food and Ball. Ok well on Sadie's mind. I am sure the Lord was just saying Melissa come to me, I will help you through the day. But instead of listening I threw myself the biggest pity party.
I have to remember I need the Lord's help to get through the day. This reminds me of Psalm 61:1-2. Towards the end of that scripture it says Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Motivation
Time obviously flies by because its been quite some time since I have written on here. Well lets hope I can keep going in a regular basis again. I like to write about what the Lord is teaching me in my life and how he is teaching me.
Sunday mornings at church we have been going through Genesis which has been amazing. Our pastor was teaching at another church this last Sunday so a gentlemen who usually speaks when he is gone, spoke on Sunday. Talking about then new year and how we all want to make resolutions but after a couple months we lose motivation and quit. We are always looking for something to motivate us. Whether its a friend to work out with or the newest workout video we can do at home. Anything to get us in the mood. Clayton, the gentleman speaking, reminded us as believers in Christ we have all the motivation we need to be doing things. Specially serving the Lord. He died on the cross for our sins. He loves us unconditionally. He gives us eternal life. We are only on this earth for a short time and then we will get to dwell with the almighty for eternity. HOW IS THAT NOT MOTIVATION?
This got me to thinking about how lazy I can be as a stay at home mom. I worry so much about getting cleaning stuff done or when I will get to rest. I want to be a Godly mother and wife. I want to raise my children up knowing who Jesus is. The Lord has blessed us with me being able to stay home with our children. This is where I am serving right now and I am not doing a very good job at it. Timothy in the bible was a great servant of the Lord and very knowledgable of Jesus. It gives credit to his mother and grandmother. Bringing him up in the Lord. I want to do this as well. My motivation? Jesus, his grace, and wanting my children to be servants for the Lord willingly and not because I forced them to.
I have to be in His word daily and in prayer to accomplish any of this. I need to be disciplined and also willing to let God work through me. I cant do it on my own at all.
Thank you Lord for motivating me to serve you. I am so undeserving of your love!
Sunday mornings at church we have been going through Genesis which has been amazing. Our pastor was teaching at another church this last Sunday so a gentlemen who usually speaks when he is gone, spoke on Sunday. Talking about then new year and how we all want to make resolutions but after a couple months we lose motivation and quit. We are always looking for something to motivate us. Whether its a friend to work out with or the newest workout video we can do at home. Anything to get us in the mood. Clayton, the gentleman speaking, reminded us as believers in Christ we have all the motivation we need to be doing things. Specially serving the Lord. He died on the cross for our sins. He loves us unconditionally. He gives us eternal life. We are only on this earth for a short time and then we will get to dwell with the almighty for eternity. HOW IS THAT NOT MOTIVATION?
This got me to thinking about how lazy I can be as a stay at home mom. I worry so much about getting cleaning stuff done or when I will get to rest. I want to be a Godly mother and wife. I want to raise my children up knowing who Jesus is. The Lord has blessed us with me being able to stay home with our children. This is where I am serving right now and I am not doing a very good job at it. Timothy in the bible was a great servant of the Lord and very knowledgable of Jesus. It gives credit to his mother and grandmother. Bringing him up in the Lord. I want to do this as well. My motivation? Jesus, his grace, and wanting my children to be servants for the Lord willingly and not because I forced them to.
I have to be in His word daily and in prayer to accomplish any of this. I need to be disciplined and also willing to let God work through me. I cant do it on my own at all.
Thank you Lord for motivating me to serve you. I am so undeserving of your love!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Trust and Obey
Psalm 46
God the Refuge of His People.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah.
This was the passage we went through today at church. The Lord really has been speaking to me this last month or so. Just telling me to trust him and obey him. To be faithful. As a believer in Christ this should come easy but it doesnt. I need to believe and trust his promises.
There is difference though between believing in the Lord and trusting him. The Lord has been putting on my heart to serve other moms. To me this is really uncomfortable because well I have worked with Jr. High girls most of my life. Now being a mom I know how much it means when someone prays for you and listens to you. How much we need encouragement and to be praying for our children in a world like it is today.
Thank you Lord for each day and your promises!
God the Refuge of His People.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah.
This was the passage we went through today at church. The Lord really has been speaking to me this last month or so. Just telling me to trust him and obey him. To be faithful. As a believer in Christ this should come easy but it doesnt. I need to believe and trust his promises.
There is difference though between believing in the Lord and trusting him. The Lord has been putting on my heart to serve other moms. To me this is really uncomfortable because well I have worked with Jr. High girls most of my life. Now being a mom I know how much it means when someone prays for you and listens to you. How much we need encouragement and to be praying for our children in a world like it is today.
Thank you Lord for each day and your promises!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Strength in The Lord
Today I went to the doctor and I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. My first thought was this is just great! I have 2 kids at home. I hope it doesnt get worse to where I need surgery. Right now its not looking like it.
Of course it got me thinking after my doctor said sometime people get it because the way the Lord created them. At first I thought why would the Lord want me to have this? It hurts to use my hands! I do everything with my hands. What good could possibly come of this? Well who knows but I do know its in the Lord's hands. Funny huh? But how true is it? I always pray to the Lord to guide me and that my life is in His hands. Made me think of how much I try to do things on my own even though I tell the Lord my life is in His hands. I obviously cant rely on mine because they hurt. I need the Lord and his strength to get through the day. I need the Lord to guide me and use me. I cant rely on myself or others.
This always makes me think of when I do get to heaven nothing will hurt ever again. Its only while I am here in this body that I will have aches and pains but when The Lord welcomes me home my back wont hurt, my head wont hurt and my hands wont either. What an amazing gift of eternal life. Not only do we get to dwell with the Lord forever but we get to be pain free. Makes me that much stronger and more excited to serve the Lord.
Of course it got me thinking after my doctor said sometime people get it because the way the Lord created them. At first I thought why would the Lord want me to have this? It hurts to use my hands! I do everything with my hands. What good could possibly come of this? Well who knows but I do know its in the Lord's hands. Funny huh? But how true is it? I always pray to the Lord to guide me and that my life is in His hands. Made me think of how much I try to do things on my own even though I tell the Lord my life is in His hands. I obviously cant rely on mine because they hurt. I need the Lord and his strength to get through the day. I need the Lord to guide me and use me. I cant rely on myself or others.
This always makes me think of when I do get to heaven nothing will hurt ever again. Its only while I am here in this body that I will have aches and pains but when The Lord welcomes me home my back wont hurt, my head wont hurt and my hands wont either. What an amazing gift of eternal life. Not only do we get to dwell with the Lord forever but we get to be pain free. Makes me that much stronger and more excited to serve the Lord.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Love for My Children
Recently my son went on a 10 day camping trip with his grandparents. Let me say this was the hardest 10 days ever. Being away from your child for that long is very hard. My heart literally ached when I thought about him. Not being able to be there when he gets hurt or when he does something for the first time is tough. It got to the point when I wanted to cry when people asked about him. Finally the day came where he came home to me. I anxiously waited. Looking out the window for my in-laws truck. Pacing back and forth. Cleaning. Anticipating our hug and the smile on his face. When they pulled up I saw him through the window and he was crying for me. I ran and just held him tight. Told him over and over I loved him and how much I missed him. My heart was complete again. Even though we have our rough days, I wouldnt trade it for anything. I would rather have all rough days with him by my side then have him not there at all.
And of course this got me thinking. I think the Lord loves us like this. Waiting anxiously for us to spend time with Him everyday. Waiting for the embrace. Ready to express His love for us through His word or through prayer. I think he would rather have those rough days with us than none at all. He wants us to cry out to him. Depend on Him and believe His promises. He will never forsake us. He will ALWAYS love us no matter what. He is there to help us grow closer to Him.
I love when the Lord shows me things through situations in my own life. I love when he convicts my heart and reminds me who my Savior is. Thank you Lord.
And of course this got me thinking. I think the Lord loves us like this. Waiting anxiously for us to spend time with Him everyday. Waiting for the embrace. Ready to express His love for us through His word or through prayer. I think he would rather have those rough days with us than none at all. He wants us to cry out to him. Depend on Him and believe His promises. He will never forsake us. He will ALWAYS love us no matter what. He is there to help us grow closer to Him.
I love when the Lord shows me things through situations in my own life. I love when he convicts my heart and reminds me who my Savior is. Thank you Lord.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New House
Greg and I made a huge decision. We bought a house! At first it was scary but with lots of looking and praying we finally found one that is perfect for us. Getting settled in takes a lot though but we are almost done.
One of our cats Lucy got herself stuck in a tree. Not just a small tree other. A pine. Not a huge pine but even this smaller one is big. I know she can get down but just wont. She sits up there and meows and meows. What good will this do? I always say she isnt the brightest cat ever. It's been 2 days. Hoping she realizes how easy it is to get down.
Cant think of anything else to blog at the moment. More to come!
One of our cats Lucy got herself stuck in a tree. Not just a small tree other. A pine. Not a huge pine but even this smaller one is big. I know she can get down but just wont. She sits up there and meows and meows. What good will this do? I always say she isnt the brightest cat ever. It's been 2 days. Hoping she realizes how easy it is to get down.
Cant think of anything else to blog at the moment. More to come!
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