Merry Christmas to my beautiful babies!
Lord, thank you for allowing us to adopt Obie.
May he be a sweet blessing in our home. May we bless him, and may he bless us!
God bless us, everyone!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Day 349: Welcome Home, Obadiah
So excited to bless my children with their first *real* pet! Obadiah is a sweet cat, and we've had a blessed first day.
Merry Christmas to my beautiful babies!
Merry Christmas to my beautiful babies!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Day 348: I'm a little off
I'm off. My count is off. My 2011 resolution is very off, and I have failed at many points. You know, that's kind of the story of my life.
I fail at so many points. I need a Savior to cover up those failures with a grace that runs deep and wide. I think that's something that has really stood out to me this year. Every day the goal is to give blessing to God through gratitude and praise, to recognize his grace that he gives me every day despite my heart condition or mood.
That practice has not only built me up but made me humble.
I'm glad that I did this. I know I've mentioned that before, but I'll write it again.
I fail at so many points. I need a Savior to cover up those failures with a grace that runs deep and wide. I think that's something that has really stood out to me this year. Every day the goal is to give blessing to God through gratitude and praise, to recognize his grace that he gives me every day despite my heart condition or mood.
That practice has not only built me up but made me humble.
I'm glad that I did this. I know I've mentioned that before, but I'll write it again.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Day 347: The Goings Ons
Christmas is coming fast. And there are lots of going-ons going on. There are Christmas lights to see, and cookies to bake, and stuff to do.
Tonight was another occasion of that.
My husband had a work party, and so we went. There's really not much to tell about it. I've had a cold, and have lacked sleep, so combine those two things and I wasn't very chipper.
I feel bad. I wanted to be more talkative and friendly, but I was just struggling. In fact, I had my husband drop me off at home before picking up the kids so that I could go straight to bed. Then I proceeded to have an on-off sleeping experience. So that was lame, but what are you going to do?
Another fun thing was my son having a Christmas party with his pre-school. He had a blast, and I am so thankful for his teacher and the experiences he is having there. He's really blossoming this year.
In a neighboring town they have a neighborhood that puts lights on most of the houses, and so we went out there (instead of staying home and watching a depressing board meeting or going to it). I'll tell you, my son is a crack up. If he saw a nativity scene, he would exclaim, "Oh look! Jesus!" or "There's God!" So that was pretty great.
All we have left that is an actual "event" is the little Christmas program at church.
I'm not sure if we'll do a Hanukkah night this year, even though I want to.
We're just getting a little bombarded with all the goings-ons.
Tonight was another occasion of that.
My husband had a work party, and so we went. There's really not much to tell about it. I've had a cold, and have lacked sleep, so combine those two things and I wasn't very chipper.
I feel bad. I wanted to be more talkative and friendly, but I was just struggling. In fact, I had my husband drop me off at home before picking up the kids so that I could go straight to bed. Then I proceeded to have an on-off sleeping experience. So that was lame, but what are you going to do?
Another fun thing was my son having a Christmas party with his pre-school. He had a blast, and I am so thankful for his teacher and the experiences he is having there. He's really blossoming this year.
In a neighboring town they have a neighborhood that puts lights on most of the houses, and so we went out there (instead of staying home and watching a depressing board meeting or going to it). I'll tell you, my son is a crack up. If he saw a nativity scene, he would exclaim, "Oh look! Jesus!" or "There's God!" So that was pretty great.
All we have left that is an actual "event" is the little Christmas program at church.
I'm not sure if we'll do a Hanukkah night this year, even though I want to.
We're just getting a little bombarded with all the goings-ons.
Lord, let not any busyness of the season keep me from the joy found in you.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Day 345: The One In Which The Vote Happens
We've been anticipating December 13th for a long time now. Last month I was able to go to a school board meeting and watch as a panel of seven people listened to parents give testimony and try to sway at least four of them to keep my daughter's school open. This month I wasn't at the board meeting, but it was the one we were waiting for. Tonight was the moment of truth.
The vote happened, and in a heart-breaking loss of 3 votes to 4, my daughter's school was closed. Budget cuts are necessary. I know that. All across the country there are boards just like this one, making difficult decisions. I think the last thing a district does is close schools, but it is what it is.
Now we have to make some educational decisions for our kids. We transferred them intentionally into this school, and now we have a lot of things to weigh out, and a lot of questions on what affect closing the school will have on the whole area.
The vote happened, and in a heart-breaking loss of 3 votes to 4, my daughter's school was closed. Budget cuts are necessary. I know that. All across the country there are boards just like this one, making difficult decisions. I think the last thing a district does is close schools, but it is what it is.
Now we have to make some educational decisions for our kids. We transferred them intentionally into this school, and now we have a lot of things to weigh out, and a lot of questions on what affect closing the school will have on the whole area.
Lord, thank you that school boards aren't sitting on the throne, but you are.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Day 344: Cookies
My friend had us over to make cookies, and it was a nice time to enjoy company and have the kids play. My son discovered markers that you can use on cookies, and my daughter got to stir frosting.
There is something so simple and fun about holiday baking. I'm glad we took time out to do that tonight.
The only thing I really must make is my candy cane swirl cheesecake, and then I'll feel accomplished!
I'm glad that God gives us traditions and delicious goodies that we can share.
There is something so simple and fun about holiday baking. I'm glad we took time out to do that tonight.
The only thing I really must make is my candy cane swirl cheesecake, and then I'll feel accomplished!
I'm glad that God gives us traditions and delicious goodies that we can share.
Lord, let me remember that your Son is the sweetest gift ever,
and that all the goodies of Christmas would remind me of that.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Day 343: Just Not Like Last Week, Please
I've wept. I've been angry. I've been exhausted and tried. I've prayed. I've whined.
You name it, and I've probably felt it this week. Between, hearing my work news, to being provided for, to being excited about picking up the kitten, there's just been a gamut of emotions. On top of all these things, it's been a crummy mom week.
I have been dealing with whining, disobedience, angry outbursts, and sassing. It has come from both children, and my oldest has been leading the charge.
Tonight, the camel's back broke. I calmly, after being sassed at bedtime, told my firstborn to go to the kitchen and wait for me. Leaving my son in his top bunk, I entered the kitchen and brought out the Tabasco. She had talked disrespectfully too much. I needed a strong object lesson.
Judge me if you will. I had to do something, and since this was the most calm and humane thing I could think of, this is what I chose.
As I put the Tabasco on the spoon, I prayed that it wouldn't hurt my daughter, that she wouldn't throw up or that she wouldn't hate me forever for using this punishment. I prayed for the Lord to give me words to speak to her as to why I was giving her the hot sauce and why her behavior not only deserved it, but why it was not to continue.
Well, she almost threw up, and she cried. She thought I was mean, but the lesson sunk in. I told my daughter, my precious daughter that as much as she doesn't like the Tabasco, that's how much I don't like being spoken to in the way that she had, and it's how much it hurts God when He sees that kind of behavior.
It was a powerful object lesson.
I have no idea if it will be remembered tomorrow, but I do know that tonight she hasn't disobeyed since. I do know that it made an impression, and that I cannot and will not have another week like this last week. I will lose my mind if I have another week like this last week.
You name it, and I've probably felt it this week. Between, hearing my work news, to being provided for, to being excited about picking up the kitten, there's just been a gamut of emotions. On top of all these things, it's been a crummy mom week.
I have been dealing with whining, disobedience, angry outbursts, and sassing. It has come from both children, and my oldest has been leading the charge.
Tonight, the camel's back broke. I calmly, after being sassed at bedtime, told my firstborn to go to the kitchen and wait for me. Leaving my son in his top bunk, I entered the kitchen and brought out the Tabasco. She had talked disrespectfully too much. I needed a strong object lesson.
Judge me if you will. I had to do something, and since this was the most calm and humane thing I could think of, this is what I chose.
As I put the Tabasco on the spoon, I prayed that it wouldn't hurt my daughter, that she wouldn't throw up or that she wouldn't hate me forever for using this punishment. I prayed for the Lord to give me words to speak to her as to why I was giving her the hot sauce and why her behavior not only deserved it, but why it was not to continue.
Well, she almost threw up, and she cried. She thought I was mean, but the lesson sunk in. I told my daughter, my precious daughter that as much as she doesn't like the Tabasco, that's how much I don't like being spoken to in the way that she had, and it's how much it hurts God when He sees that kind of behavior.
It was a powerful object lesson.
I have no idea if it will be remembered tomorrow, but I do know that tonight she hasn't disobeyed since. I do know that it made an impression, and that I cannot and will not have another week like this last week. I will lose my mind if I have another week like this last week.
Lord, please don't let this week be like last week.
It's a simple prayer, and I need you to fill in the rest because I am tired.
I just want to be a mom that promotes peace and honors you in raising my children.
I don't deserve them,
but in your wisdom, you gave them to me.
And I know that if you gave them to me,
then you will give me the wisdom to raise them to your glory.
I'm counting on that this week.
I'm counting on that this week.
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