Yesterday I took the boys to a nearby field of Texas Blue Bonnets. I think we had two different motives in mind, I wanted to get that "perfect shot" and they were into exploring. Oh well. It was fun nonetheless!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Texas Blue Bonnets
Yesterday I took the boys to a nearby field of Texas Blue Bonnets. I think we had two different motives in mind, I wanted to get that "perfect shot" and they were into exploring. Oh well. It was fun nonetheless!
Monday, April 13, 2009
To Rule and Subdue
My friend, Monica and I are starting a new series today! I am so excited about this and hope that you will join in.
Monica is one of my kindred spirit friends. She and I went to high school together and have kept in touch as we have walked different avenues of life. Now, we both have little kids and share in the ups and downs of motherhood. Last week we were talking about managing clutter - and thus this series was birthed!
Each week (we'll alternate) one of us will post an area we'll be working on de-cluttering, organizing, purging, etc...and then later in the week we'll post photographs and have a Mr. Linky for you to join! It is so much more fun to do this kind of thing when we are doing it together and have the encouragement of one another.
So, here's my thoughts and heart about the clutter. Right now, with two little children, clutter seems to overtake everything. It is something I have been working hard at since January. I have seriously made three or four Goodwill trips a month. And guess what? I am nowhere near done! It seems to be like an onion - layer after layer I find more stuff and more reasons for it all to go.
I have been seeking a lot of advice and instruction in this area - as it is one that I seriously struggle with - and want change! And it seems, the more clutter, the bigger the mess, meaning the more time and energy I put into trying to keep an orderly home. I hope to share some of my discoveries as this series progresses.
When I was single and right before I met my husband, I went through a Bible Study called the Five Aspects of Woman. One of the aspects is called Mistress of the Domain. In recent weeks I have revisited this concept - and it has helped me tremendously as I attempt to bring order into my home. The concept is taken from Genesis 1:26-28
"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
God has given us the authority and he has also commanded us to rule and subdue that which has been entrusted to us. I find such power in this idea. I have the authority to rule over my home and the stuff that's inside. But, I have also been instructed to do so. The study defines these two verbs as:RULE - "To rule means to make authoritative decisions regarding a matter's course and destiny."
SUBDUE- "to bring under control by conquest and keep under control by diligent maintenance."
(taken from the Five Aspects of Woman Bible Study by Barbara Mouser)
These definitions help me as I conquer the areas of my house that need attention. I want to rule over the clutter, rather than the clutter rule me and my home. I want to be diligent by developing systems that will help in subduing it. And finally, I desire to produce and home that is welcoming and peaceful. However, let me be the first to say that these are my desires - and boy do I have a long way to go!
I am excited that we can work on this together. See my post below to see the area that I'm going to rule and subdue this week. I hope that you'll join in and come back and tell us about your ruling and subduing at the end of the week. We can do it! As a little incentive, I am going to be offering a giveaway for all who participate. Check back on Friday to see what it's going to be...
Okay, Ready? Set? GO!!!
Restoring Order - Project Number One
Okay, so I've gone back and forth about where to start. And I've decided to start with the thing that gnaws at me every time I need to go into my boy's room. And, quite frankly, I am sick of the overwhelming feeling that overtakes me when I go in their room to do anything. What is it that is so demanding of my attention and energy? It's their clothes. AAAAAHHHH!!! Their closet is brimming over with clothes from sizes newborn to 4T.
So, my focus this week is my boy's room. Here are the things I hope to get done:
- go through all of the clothes and organize the ones I want to keep and donate the ones we don't need.
- Find and purchase a new rocking chair (The one we had became a safety hazard when we realized that little toes and fingers can easily get smooshed (or worse!) and it had to go. But, oh we need a new one!!!)
- Move bookcase out of the room and create a reading corner outside of the room
How about you? Do you have any tips on organizing children clothing? If so, please share!
Easter 2009
Helping Mama make apple pie - even with a double ear ache!
Our first try at dying eggs. Most of the eggs didn't make it to the "hide me" stage.
Trying to get that perfect "Easter Morning" shot. The rain outside didn't help.
Nana and Grandpa sent some pretty awesome Easter Baskets. Thank you!! :)
Getting ready to leave for church, then off to some friend's for dinner and fellowship. I love how Baby Brother is watching Little One's every move. (Oh, and he's so loving this thing they call standing....)
It was a full and wonderful day.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Palm Sunday
This past Sunday I was a little disappointed when we awoke with two sick kids and a sick mommy, meaning church would not be in our agenda for the day. I was sad because Palm Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays to attend church.
I can remember many Sundays growing up when I'd arrive at church and was handed a beautiful palm branch to carry with me throughout the morning. Every year I would savor that branch. I can remember years when there was no branches handed out, and I would feel a little bummed. Then, as I got older, I realized the day meant that the next week I would come to church in a brand new dress and shoes. Lots of years that new dress would have been made by my Grandma, and it was certain to have the perfect twirling element that every little girl loves when it comes to twirly dresses. Ah, sweet memories.
And then, as my relationship with the Lord developed, I realized the significance of the day. I wonder how Jesus went through that day when he knew all too well the pain and betrayal that would come from those same mouths. Time and time again God knew the heart of man, he knew full well what is to come and yet responds and extends a full fist of love, grace and mercy. That is the God of then, and that is the God of today. I find such peace in that aspect of him.
He knows the full heart of man. I can say this, because as I awoke saddened that we wouldn't be a church on Palm Sunday - there were also lots of other things going on in my heart. All week long I had a desire to have a fresh bouquet of flowers. I love how a bouquet brightens my kitchen. I can go for a long time not even thinking about a bouquet. But then, something inside me stirs and I want a bouquet. When this happens, I'll ask Hubs to stop and get me one. Or sometimes I will just pick one up while I am at the store. One or two times I've done both!
However, this past week, my longing for a bouquet was never voiced as every trip to the grocery store was the type where there was no space to even think about stopping at the floral department. Both my husband's week and my week was filled with taking care of business or sick kids, or...you get the idea.
Back to Palm Sunday morning. My sweet Hubby went out to run some errands while the kids napped and I clipped the Sunday coupons. He returned with a beautiful bouquet! And, not only that, in the bouquet there was a palm branch and two peace lilies! He did not know of my sadness of not going to church, nor did he know that I had wanted a bouquet of flowers all week long. I have to believe that a higher power had something to do with that.
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."
John 12:12-15
Yes, the Lord knows the heart of man. He knows the pain and darkness and he knows the rich, deep needs and the seemingly simple desires. And I believe that He has come, He delivers and satisfies.
On this Easter weekend, take time to savor and rest in the blessed gift our Lord has extended to us. Our deliverer has come and has defeated the grave. Hosanna!
I can remember many Sundays growing up when I'd arrive at church and was handed a beautiful palm branch to carry with me throughout the morning. Every year I would savor that branch. I can remember years when there was no branches handed out, and I would feel a little bummed. Then, as I got older, I realized the day meant that the next week I would come to church in a brand new dress and shoes. Lots of years that new dress would have been made by my Grandma, and it was certain to have the perfect twirling element that every little girl loves when it comes to twirly dresses. Ah, sweet memories.
And then, as my relationship with the Lord developed, I realized the significance of the day. I wonder how Jesus went through that day when he knew all too well the pain and betrayal that would come from those same mouths. Time and time again God knew the heart of man, he knew full well what is to come and yet responds and extends a full fist of love, grace and mercy. That is the God of then, and that is the God of today. I find such peace in that aspect of him.
He knows the full heart of man. I can say this, because as I awoke saddened that we wouldn't be a church on Palm Sunday - there were also lots of other things going on in my heart. All week long I had a desire to have a fresh bouquet of flowers. I love how a bouquet brightens my kitchen. I can go for a long time not even thinking about a bouquet. But then, something inside me stirs and I want a bouquet. When this happens, I'll ask Hubs to stop and get me one. Or sometimes I will just pick one up while I am at the store. One or two times I've done both!
However, this past week, my longing for a bouquet was never voiced as every trip to the grocery store was the type where there was no space to even think about stopping at the floral department. Both my husband's week and my week was filled with taking care of business or sick kids, or...you get the idea.
Back to Palm Sunday morning. My sweet Hubby went out to run some errands while the kids napped and I clipped the Sunday coupons. He returned with a beautiful bouquet! And, not only that, in the bouquet there was a palm branch and two peace lilies! He did not know of my sadness of not going to church, nor did he know that I had wanted a bouquet of flowers all week long. I have to believe that a higher power had something to do with that.
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."
John 12:12-15
Yes, the Lord knows the heart of man. He knows the pain and darkness and he knows the rich, deep needs and the seemingly simple desires. And I believe that He has come, He delivers and satisfies.
On this Easter weekend, take time to savor and rest in the blessed gift our Lord has extended to us. Our deliverer has come and has defeated the grave. Hosanna!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Kind of Week We're Having...This Pretty Much Sums It All Up.
Four Coughing MouthsThree Calls to the Nurse
Two Trips to the Doctor in one week for our sweet Baby Brother
One Messy House
Need I say more?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
A Pretty Great Deal
In today's Sunday paper coupons there is a rebate form to get a turkey or ham for free. Of course, nothing is for free. You have to buy 40.00 of unlivever products in a month's time - and send in your receipts. When I looked into it, I discovered that we use a lot of these products - so I'm going to give it a try.
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