Stress & Philippians 4:13

This may be the last post I'll have time to write for some time.  School is back in full swing and football season is  underway.  With a pee wee football player and a 7th grade player (who is also in band), we are super busy with practices and games.  It seems that Brantley will be extra busy this year.  Not only will he play football, but he will be playing drums at all the Jr. High home games.  He is really growing up on me.  I am seeing a glimpse of what high school is going to be like and it makes me a little sad.  He is becoming more and more independent and is extremely embarassed by his really cool parents;-)  What is happening??

I am taking my first class for my Master's degree. I am pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and this particular course is focusing on health education, different philosophies involved in that, and the application of those philosophies.  It is actually interesting and relevant to what I do, but I am a bit rusty in APA format (actually, don't know that I've ever used it).  I have my first assignment almost completey done and it's not due until September 10th hso I'm feeling ok.

I volunteered to lead my ladies Bible study this Thursday.  I'm not sure if I had a momentary lapse in my sanity or what, but I opened my big mouth and offered to do it.  I haven't had the time I would have liked to prepare, but it pays to be a preacher's daughter in times like these!  I have some commentaries and some advice from him and I think I will get through it.  I made an outline last night of the points I want to cover so I've made progress, right?

At the beginning of last week, I felt completely overwhelmed.  I went from summer vacation with zero responsibilities to full time work, after school activities, and online class work.  Just a bit of a shock to my system.  I have been praying and asking God to give me grace to get through and as always, He has.  I can only take one moment at a time.  I have found that when I look at everything I have to accomplish, it scares me.  It's too much.  I can never get it done.  But, if I take one thing at a time, calm down, and focus, things become more manageable and I find my days more productive.  I was watching Joyce Meyer yesterday and she used a paraphrase of Philippians 4:13 that I love:  I have everything in me that I need to do whatever it is that Christ wants me to do.  That really put things into perspective for me.

I did have something exciting happen to me this week.  I entered the Project Hope Raffle a couple of weeks ago.  I left my comment, but the procrastinator that I am....paid my fee at the last minute.  Probably a couple of hours before the raffle was closed.  I was at the dentist's office for a braces consultation for my 10 year old (can you say more stress!!!) and thought I'd check to see who the winner was.  I COULD NOT believe it when I saw my name.  I'm sure the people in the waiting room thought I was nuts, but I was super excited.  I won some great prizes and I was glad to be part of a great ministry.  Check it out at www.bitsofsplendor.com

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day.  I'm trying to enjoy the last holiday I'll have for a while.  I'm linking up with Laura @ www.bitsofsplendor.com
Be sure to check out her blog.  Lots of exciting things happening there!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby!

Gavin,

I can't believe it's been three years since you changed our world.  The past three years have been filled with fun, lots of adventures, and immeasurable joy.  We are so blessed to have you and can't even remember what life was like before you came.  Your boundless energy and contagious giggle fill our hearts with love.  I admittedly spoil you.  And I won't apologize for it.  You are my baby.  You always have to sleep with mama at night, along with your security blanket which you have named "B Bear."  I know that isn't popular, but I figure the day will come much too quickly when you will no longer want to sleep with me.  So I am going to enjoy these days now-having your warm little body snuggled up to me in bed.  Excuse me for a moment, while I make some "choc" (chocolate milk).  Ok, I'm back:-) 

You insist that you're still 2 and part of me would like that to be true.  I love the hugs and kisses you give me.  I love the way you call for me in the house when I leave your sight.  Sometimes I can barely take a shower or put on my make-up without your help.  But that's ok.  You love me and want to be everywhere I am.  One day that will all change.  So I want to enjoy these moments while you are still my sweet baby. 

You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Caillou, and watching tractor videos on YouTube.  You can work the ipad like a pro:-)  You love to sing "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothing But Good" in the car and you think your brothers hung the moon.  You love to put on their shoes and clothes.  You really want to be so big, but when I ask you say you're still a baby.  And that makes my heart smile. 

Happy Birthday Gavin!  I love you more than words could ever say. 

Mama

August 23, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gavin's 1st Birthday

 

 

Gavin's 2nd Birthday

 

 

 

My 3-year-old baby

 

Farewell to Summer

I can hardly believe my first official summer break since college is over.  It was a glorious 13 weeks. I saw 3 a.m. much too often.  I slept in and stayed in my PJ's more times than I can count.  I reveled in the knowledge that I had nothing to do and nowhere to be most days.  I started the summer with a list of projects and finished a few.  Some are still on my list and that's ok.  I will get to them eventually.  I enjoyed every moment (almost) with my boys.  I created a monster.  I have an almost 3-year-old who has become a major momma's boy.  And I must admit, I love that. 

This week is serving as a "prep" week if you will.  I've been to school working on my office and I have meetings tomorrow morning.  I felt a huge weight come over me tonight as I sat and came to the realization that all my luxurious free time is now a thing of the past.  Beginning Monday, it's back to reality.  School, homework, football practice, football games, crazy busy weekends when I try to pack a week's worth of house work in.  On top of all of this, I'm starting my Masters.  Yep, I'm just a little stressed thinking about it all.  I stood in my kitchen tonight and just felt completely overwhelmed.  I asked God to give me peace and He has.  I can only take each day as it comes, each moment as I enter it. 

I'm hoping to develop more routine in my house this fall.  My alarm is set for 5 am.  I'm determined to get that morning run and Bible study in.  I'm also determined to lead my boys in a Bible study/devotion each evening.  I admit, I'm probably the world's worst when it comes to consistency.  I know God is a God of order and I'm relying on Him to make these changes stick. 

So, I bid you farewell summer.  It won't be long and we'll see each other again.  Until them, I'll enjoy the crisp fall air.  I'll cheer my 7th grade Redskin and my 5th grade Colt on to victory.  I'll snuggle with my little man when it gets cold and sit with him in front of the fire.  We'll watch Christmas movies over and over and enjoy our days in the snow.  We'll celebrate birthdays.  We'll tackle Algebra and Pre-AP English (Lawd, help me!).  We'll play some basketball.  Maybe some baseball.  And before you know it summertime.....we'll be together again.   

A Vision Too Small

I was driving home tonight from our ladies' bible study at church and listened to a sermon in which the preacher was talking about the decay of our nation and its effects on the family.  Something he said in the midst of his sermon reached out and shook me.  He spoke about praying for his children.  And their children.  And their children.  And their children.  He spoke about our vision for our kids, for our families.  About how sometimes they just aren't big enough.  Many of us simply want our children to stay away from drugs, make good grades, go to college, become successful, etc.  My goodness, how we limit God!  How I limit God.   What if we prayed for our children to make a mighty difference in this country, this world even, for God?  What if we prayed this way for our families?  Paul tells us in the book of Ephesians that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can even ask or think.  Amazing.  I can't even fathom what God can do in my life and in my family if I don't place limits on Him.  I am praying specifically for a need in my family right now and God revealed to me tonight that His plan far exceeds mine.  I want to be faithful to pray.  I want to be faithful to believe that God can do marvelous things in the lives of my children.  I want to be faithful in believing that God can do phenomenal things in my marriage and in the life of my husband.  I don't want to put limits on a limitless God! 

Thrifty Love Gift Exchange

To be honest, I can't remember exactly where I came across the Thrifty Love Gift Exchange, but I thought it was a really neat idea from the moment I read about it.  Being new to the blogging world, I am amazed to see all the friendships that bloggers have formed across the miles.  It is so encouraging.  I thought this gift exchange would be a wonderful way to meet another blogger and hopefully form a lifelong friendship.  I signed up and anxiously waited for my match.  I was super excited when I got it and my match (Beth Ann @ www.bahlikeasheep.blogpot.com) and I exchanged information and on the hunt I went.  I live in a rural area so my thrifting is sometimes limited by distance/time.  And as all of you thrifters know, some days you're hot and some days you're not:-(   I felt like my hunt was a bust, but I did find some cute birdie S & P shakers and a prayer plate.  I didn't take photos before I sent (silly me).  I was really nervous that my gift exchange buddy wouldn't be impressed, but I sent my package off hoping she'd at least be touched by my sentiment, right??

I got my package in a few days later and my girl went above and beyond!  She got me these pretty books that have found a home in my kitchen and added a pop of color.  (Beth Ann, I didn't put them in the windowsill.  I placed them in a cabinet with a glass door and they look great!) 

Ok, so this is where she goes above & beyond.  She also threw in this super cute Forever 21 necklace.

But the best part, was the card.  Funny how things work.  I had worried that she wouldn't like my gift, that she would open it and be disappointed.  Her sweet card told me she was afraid of the very same thing!  So silly that we worry about such things.  I was excited to receive my gift and I love it.  Simply because it was picked out with me in mind.  And I am happy to say I've made a new friend.  This was a super fun experience!  I'm excited to see what everyone else got:-)  One more thing....here's the cute card she sent and ANOTHER BONUS:  A Starbucks gift card.  This girl is da bomb!!

 

I Then Shall Live

This has been a wild, emotionally charged, and politically divided week.  And quite frankly, I'm over the hoopla.  I've said my peace about the chicken controversy.  I was struggling with the words to express my thoughts on the underlying theme I saw emerge from all of this:  Christians sharing the love of Christ.  It seems the Body of Christ can't even agree on the "right" way to share the glorious message of Christ.  A song I dearly love came to my mind tonight and it's words are so powerful and if lived out, so capable of reaching the world with the love, compassion, mercy, and grace that Christ reached me with.


I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father; I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey.


I then shall live as one who's learned compassion. I've been so loved, that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I'll dare to see another's point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment, Then I'll be there to care and follow through.


Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor, And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may You feed a hungry world through me.


Amen, Amen, Amen.


If you're so moved by music as I am, please watch the Gaither Vocal Band/Ernie Haase Signature Sound performance of this song.  It is truly beautiful. 

http://youtu.be/cxyBMQJuTuc


This is my daily prayer.  I want to reach a hungry world with the Bread of Life.  I want to reach them right where they are.  After all, that is where Christ meets me every day.  Right where I am.  Not where I should be.  Not where I want to be.  Right where I am.  Some days find me full of compassion, empathy, love, and mercy.  Other days find me filled with resentment, questions, frustrations, and an ugly heart.  Life is messy.  But my merciful Father meets me in my mess.  And He wants to use me to meet the rest of the world in their mess. 

Insta-Friday

I'm linking up for my first Insta-Friday.  Kind of exciting! 

We've spent the week recovering from from our vacation to Texas last week.  We ate entirely too much while there and lots of fried food so it was good to come home and eat some home grown veggies.

My husband works really hard on a garden each spring and it pays off.   This year we've had tons of squash and zucchini, potatoes, onions, jalapenos, bell peppers, banana peppers (not sure if that's the right name), & corn.  Yummy:-)

I got a nice surprise in the mail this week.  I ordered some jewelry from Laura @ Bits of Splendor and it came in.  Super cute.  Love it!  You should check our her shop it you haven't already.

It was time for a manicure when we got back.  I have my manicures done with the OPI gel polish.  It is great and lasts for around 2-2 1/2 weeks.  I had stopped getting my nails done when I switched jobs, but I just love it and decided to start again.  Just makes me feel more polished (no pun intended) and together.

We've been in desperate need of rain where I live and last night we had a pretty good thunderstorm.  So good in fact, that our power was out for an hour and a half.  Small price to pay so that the famers could get some much needed relief.  The boys and I were here alone and we decided to head to town to get something to eat since the lights were out.  On the way to town we saw the biggest and most beautiful rainbow I've ever seen.  It was possibly the only complete rainbow I've seen.  Some people in town actually got pictures of a double rainbow.  I didn't, but here's what I did get.

This was the sunset after the storm.  It was beautiful.

I went to my favorite flea market today and found so much stuff I wanted.  I came across this cute (already painted) magazine rack that perfectly matches the curtains in my 2-year-old's room.  I'm working on his transition to "big boy" room and I've decided to go with lots of bright colors.  I've ordered some prints from naptime diaries and I can't wait to get them in and get the room all together.  Here's my find.

I've been trying to decide what type of comforter to buy and honestly, all the ones I find that I like are ridiculously priced.  I was reading through some old posts @ The Vanilla Tulip the other night and was inspired by her philosophy to re-invent with items you already have.  I realized that my aunt just gave me an afghan my Granny made over 30 years ago and I had never even taken it out of the plastic.  I got it out and decided it will be perfect.  Lots of bright colors and made with tons of love.  It has much more value than anything store bought could ever have. 

And so I sit here on Friday night going back through my week in pictures while my little man sleeps beside me.  He had a long day.  He got up early to head out with Daddy and had no nap.  He crashed about an hour ago.  I'm hoping he sleeps through the night and doesn't decide that 11 pm is time to rise and shine.  They are just so precious when they sleep, aren't they?  He has my heart.