I have decided to use this blog to keep myself accountable and keep a record of what I am working on at home and in life.There are many things I would like to do better or more consistantly. One thing I am working on today is clothes. Six months ago I started reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I went through all my clothes and the boys clothes. But the seasons have changed and its time to give it another go. Additionally, I sort of procrastinated the whole verticle folding thing.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Happy New Year!
Its a New Year! And boy am I glad for a do over. I made it to march with my joy dare last year. So I guess my goal is to make it further than that this year! So, here we go:
January 1st: Three gifts heard
1. "Happy New Year!" (DH, DS3yo, DD11yo and two sleepover friends)
2. "I love you Mommy!" (DS 3yo)
3. "I'm excited to come back and see y'all" (DD 13yo, ok so it was a text, but I'm counting it anyway)
And, I made it to the gym this morning at 530am for a 1.5mi run. Planning to run the Christian Moerlein Beer series this year (http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/beer-series/). The Bockfest 5k is the first run on March 8th so that should keep me motivated.
Hope you are having a good 2014 so far.
January 1st: Three gifts heard
1. "Happy New Year!" (DH, DS3yo, DD11yo and two sleepover friends)
2. "I love you Mommy!" (DS 3yo)
3. "I'm excited to come back and see y'all" (DD 13yo, ok so it was a text, but I'm counting it anyway)
And, I made it to the gym this morning at 530am for a 1.5mi run. Planning to run the Christian Moerlein Beer series this year (http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/beer-series/). The Bockfest 5k is the first run on March 8th so that should keep me motivated.
Hope you are having a good 2014 so far.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
30 days of Thanksgiving
I know. I know. Its already the 2nd of November, and so it's not really 30 days of thanksgiving. It's 29.
The year is catching up with me. One of my goals for the year of 2013 was to do the 1000 gifts joy dare and make a list of 1000 gifts by listing three things each day for which I was thankful. My last post I said how thankful I was for grace. And this is one of the reasons why. I have not failed on ALL my goals, but this one I have not done well with at all. I made it to March and have only posted 219 gifts.
So, here I am. So thankful for God's grace. And still convinced that thankfulness is something that I really need to work on. Hopefully, I can be faithful to post here for the month of November and create a habit that I will sustain into 2014.
God has been so good. And my lack of thanksgiving is not in any way related to God's blessings in our life. My lack of posting is related to my season of life, how busy we are, and how generally overwhelmed I am by adding work to my list of responsibilities.
Sorting priorities, limited time and energy, and walking my walk with integrity and not hypocrisy seems to be impossible. Walking with integrity is so important to me. Yet, I fail daily. I get overwhelmed and cannot figure out how to get my work hours in, not let the kids watch television, and keep the house in working order.
Enough about me. It is ultimately God who I have wronged. And Jesus who has paid for my sins. And me,well I can choose to give thanks in all things. And God has blessed me so much.
I am thankful for:
my husband
my four children
my job
my home
the challenges that come with having all of the previous things like
all the clothes that we wear (and wash)
the food that we cook and eat
the dishes that we eat on (and wash)
the ability to get braces for my daughter
my kids talents and the chance to help them pursue grow their gifts
my babysitter
my old paid for car that holds us all
God's provision for safety in that old car despite things needing repairs etc
God's grace for my mess ups and his love for me despite being messed up
I am thankful that when we suffer we become more like Christ, but I am thankful that I my family has not had much suffering this year. Just the day to day trials that we all have.
And in the past year, I have learned much about God, which brings much responsibility.
The year is catching up with me. One of my goals for the year of 2013 was to do the 1000 gifts joy dare and make a list of 1000 gifts by listing three things each day for which I was thankful. My last post I said how thankful I was for grace. And this is one of the reasons why. I have not failed on ALL my goals, but this one I have not done well with at all. I made it to March and have only posted 219 gifts.
So, here I am. So thankful for God's grace. And still convinced that thankfulness is something that I really need to work on. Hopefully, I can be faithful to post here for the month of November and create a habit that I will sustain into 2014.
God has been so good. And my lack of thanksgiving is not in any way related to God's blessings in our life. My lack of posting is related to my season of life, how busy we are, and how generally overwhelmed I am by adding work to my list of responsibilities.
Sorting priorities, limited time and energy, and walking my walk with integrity and not hypocrisy seems to be impossible. Walking with integrity is so important to me. Yet, I fail daily. I get overwhelmed and cannot figure out how to get my work hours in, not let the kids watch television, and keep the house in working order.
Enough about me. It is ultimately God who I have wronged. And Jesus who has paid for my sins. And me,well I can choose to give thanks in all things. And God has blessed me so much.
I am thankful for:
my husband
my four children
my job
my home
the challenges that come with having all of the previous things like
all the clothes that we wear (and wash)
the food that we cook and eat
the dishes that we eat on (and wash)
the ability to get braces for my daughter
my kids talents and the chance to help them pursue grow their gifts
my babysitter
my old paid for car that holds us all
God's provision for safety in that old car despite things needing repairs etc
God's grace for my mess ups and his love for me despite being messed up
I am thankful that when we suffer we become more like Christ, but I am thankful that I my family has not had much suffering this year. Just the day to day trials that we all have.
And in the past year, I have learned much about God, which brings much responsibility.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Grace
Five Minute Friday
Grace
I have been gone so long from my five minute Friday posts. And blogging in general. Grace is such a perfect word for my first day back. Because I know in the five minute Friday community there is grace. Grace for life, living. Growing and changing. Learning as we go. Trying to provide for each other in part what Christ has done for us in whole. Thank you God for sending your son to die for us so that we can live by your Spirit and live in the realm of the Spirit instead of the flesh. Lord. Thank you for your grace. And may I in this month of Thanksgiving, learn to live in your Spirit giving you praise and thanksgiving.
I'm glad that God has given His grace and meets me where I are as I try to follow him and be faithful to all He has called me to do.
Hope to be back again soon.
Grace
I have been gone so long from my five minute Friday posts. And blogging in general. Grace is such a perfect word for my first day back. Because I know in the five minute Friday community there is grace. Grace for life, living. Growing and changing. Learning as we go. Trying to provide for each other in part what Christ has done for us in whole. Thank you God for sending your son to die for us so that we can live by your Spirit and live in the realm of the Spirit instead of the flesh. Lord. Thank you for your grace. And may I in this month of Thanksgiving, learn to live in your Spirit giving you praise and thanksgiving.
I'm glad that God has given His grace and meets me where I are as I try to follow him and be faithful to all He has called me to do.
Hope to be back again soon.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
My conspicuous abscence
I have been completely missing in action. I am very sorry. Life has been incredibly eventful and in a good way. I was asked to apply for a job that uses my pediatric nursing training but will allow me to work from home half the time! Woo Hoo! Praise God! I am so thankful for God's provision.
The first two months, however, I have to go into work so that I can get trained. I started on June 24th. My parents got wind that I would be working full-time and not able to come visit them in Texas with the kids for the month of July. So, they bought us airplane tickets and flew us to Texas. I had about 24 hours to get all our bags packed. We had a great visit with my parents for about 10 days. And then flew back home just in time for me to start work.
Miss Froggie is babysitting the boys and I am looking for a part-time babysitter to help us out now and when Miss Froggie goes back to school in the fall. And I had to pull out my Working Mothers Cookbook. I had finally gotten pretty good at cooking everything from scratch and using a whole wad of coupons to keep our grocery budget down while feeding us healthy stuff. Now, its all different again. And keeping a house decently clean and functional while the parents are gone and the kids are home is borderline impossible. And don't even ask about my vegetable garden. (But the tomatoes are huge).
But change is a part of life. And this job is a huge blessing. Only God could provide me a full-time job for a pediatric nurse where you get to work from home!
The first two months, however, I have to go into work so that I can get trained. I started on June 24th. My parents got wind that I would be working full-time and not able to come visit them in Texas with the kids for the month of July. So, they bought us airplane tickets and flew us to Texas. I had about 24 hours to get all our bags packed. We had a great visit with my parents for about 10 days. And then flew back home just in time for me to start work.
But change is a part of life. And this job is a huge blessing. Only God could provide me a full-time job for a pediatric nurse where you get to work from home!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Rejoice Jan 1-Mar 10 {Joy Dare}
OK, so I had gotten very behind at posting my joy dare over at NPMom.com, but I want to have the whole list over here. So here is a reposting of what I have already posted along with links to the NPMom postings in case you want to see the photos. Next week I'll get the rest of list posted, hopefully with photos.
January
1st Three Gifts Heard
1. The Baby starting to babble.
2. Jujube saying "Thank you, you are my good mommy”.
3. The noise of a bustling house full of happy kids.
2nd Outside, inside, on a plate
4. Snow on trees and grass but not streets
5. Central heating
6. Strawberry cheesecake
3rd 3 graces overheard
7. Passion 2013
8. Not sick in December
9. FMFParty
4th A gift old new blue
10. A (old) car that works
11. Healthy kids
12. Sun and a blue sky
5th Something you are reading, making, seeing
13. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
14. Mimosa soup and homemade yogurt
15. Life slowed down
6th One thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart
16. Coupons
17. Cultures for health (San Francisco sourdough and Bulgarian yogurt cultures)
18. Jesus and that he saved me
7th Three Graces From People You Love
19. Jujube saying grace
20. Birthday presents from my mom
21. Mamamama with a toothy grin from baby
8th Dusky Light Surprising Reflection Lovely Shadow
22. Bedtime routine with Jujube
23. A walk to the dentist
24. Marriage = shadow of Jesus and his bride
9th A gift held passed by sat with
25. The baby
26. The kitchen
27. Jujube snuggles and toy room play
10th A gift sour, sweet, just right
28. A friend couldn’t come to MOPS, but it allowed me to get to know others better
29. Chick-fil-A sauce on nuggets
30. Lunch with new friends while littles play
11th 3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy
31. Safety on the road
32. Encouragement for courage and bravery
33. Exercise and Fun at the Zoo
34. Embracing my “yellow” personality
12th Something above below beside
35. Hardwood trees
36. A yard
37. My husband
13th 3 things about yourself you are grateful for
38. Petite
39. Discernment
40. Compassion
14th 3 startling graces of God
41. He gave up His Son for me
42. I can start new every day
43. I am not too much for Him
15th A gift worn given away shared
44. Bracelets
45. Time for a friend
46. Necklace, handheld blender, computer, kindle
16th 3 witnessed blessings
47. Another year of life
48. A child finding friends at church
49. Celebrations large and small
17th A gift bringing laughter prayer quiet
50. Pillow fight with kids
51. Blogging friends
52. MOPS day out
18th 3 gifts from God’s word
53. Song of Songs 4:7
54. Proverbs 18:24
55. Matt 5:4
19th 3 gifts that might never have been
56 Miss Froggie
57 Sister’s hanging out and getting along
58 My sweet boys
20th 3 gifts only seen close up
59 Financial challenges
60 Repetition/rhythm
61 God’s plan
21st A gift in sky, water, memory
62 Sunshine
63 Bath time with little boys
64 Grandparents
22nd A gift wrinkled, smooth, unfolded
65 Marriage
66 Baby skin
67 Laundry drying on the line
23rd 3 gifts found in Christ
68 Salvation
69 Purpose
70 Ministry
24th 3 things blue
71 Sweat pants
72 Sky
73 Eyes
25th A grace borrowed, found, inherited
74 DD10yo friend spending the night
75 Tax refund
76 China from my Great Grandmother
26th A grace before dawn, at noon, after dark
77 Snuggling/nursing baby
78 7th grader taking SATs
79 Faith Five after dinner
27th Three Gifts in the kitchen
80. San Francisco Sourdough culture
81. Bulgarian yogurt culture and yogurt maker
82. Candles
28th 3 Graces found in friends
83. Encouragement
84. Motivation
85. Energy
29th A song heard, a soft word, light seen
86. Hallelujah
87. "I love you mommy"
88. Mission Statement hard to write if avoiding God's call
30th 3 old things seen new
89. New Testament in The Message version
90. Eucharist
91. my calling
31st A gift on paper, in person, in a picture
92. 48 days to a job you love
93. Job contact
94. Granny
February
1st 3 Gifts Red
95. Red breastfeeding dress
96. Valentine's Welcome door decoration
97. Red frosted sugar cookies
2nd 3 Gifts on paper
98. Photographs
99. Jujube's artwork
100. Coupons
3rd 3 Gifts in writing
101. Blogging friends
102. Scripture memory work
103. Self discovery
4th 3 Gifts found while bent down
104. Money in the laundry
105. Full drawers of baby clothes
106. Baby crawling
5th A gift stitched, hammered, woven
107. Stitched jeans
108. Bookshelves
109. Warm blankets
6th 3 Gifts outside
110. Pure White Snow
111. Bright Red Cardinal
112. Bare Trees
7th Gift at 1130, 230, and 630
113. Lunch with Jujube and Baby
114. Miss Froggie home from school
115. Dinner as a family
8th A gift broken, fixed, thifted
116. Precious Moments figurine
117. Car
118. Dresser
9th 3 Surprise gifts- unexpected grace!
119. State Income Tax return early!
120. Guest for dinner
121. Blue sunny sky
10th- 3 times you heard laughter today
122. Martian Mold
123. Ellen and Amy "Hello? Is it me you are looking for?"
124. Pillow fight
11th 3 Gifts in Working
125. Avodah my work is also worship
126. My work is a prayer for me and mine
127. My work is exercise and allows rest
128. Friend's baby in the hospital
129. Friends preschooler with brain cancer
130. Tight finances
13th Gifts behind a door
131. Friends
132. Restaurant kitchens
133. Ash Wednesday service
14th 3 ways you feel the love of God
134. Flowers
135. Creation
136. Music
15th A gift in losing, finding, making something
137. Losing weight
138. Friends and sleepovers
139. Dinner
16th 3 Gifts in shadows
140 Back pain
141 Interrupted sleep
142 Relationship challenges
Feb 17th 3 Gifts found giving/serving
143 Endless housework; prayer time for me and mine
144 "Mom, where can I serve?"
145 "Yum, this is good!"
Feb 18th 3 Gifts on paper
146 Car title
147 Gratitude List
148 Diploma
Feb 19th 3 Gifts that were plan B's
149 Hot running water and a bath
150 Home in Ohio
151 Change in thesis topic
152 Motorcycle/Bus
Feb 20th A Gift at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
153 Oh, honey!
154 Homemade tortillas with butter and lentil dahl.
155 "Wait, you forgot! What was your best part of day, Mommy?"
Feb 21st 3 Gifts white
156 Resume Paper
157 Fluffy clouds
158 Flour
159 Jujube's half birthday!
Feb 22nd 3 Gifts that changed today
160 Job referral
161 9mo Well Baby visit
162 Date night
163 Delayed start on school day off
164 Sleepover with friend
165 Brother's birthday
Feb 23rd A gift of tin, glass, wood
166 St. Patrick's Day door plaque
167 Antique beveled glass powder box from great grandma
168 Grandmother clock from hubby's grandpa
Feb 24th 3 Gifts before 11am
169 Coupons in the paper
170 Coffee with cream and sugar
171 Good Sermon on respectable sins: Apathy
25th A Gift worn out,new, made do
172 Sofa
173 Bed frame
174 Pots
175 Full Moon, Clear Night
176 Baby giggles and baby smell
26th 3 Gifts reflected
177 Tea light candle in "church
178 Moonlight
179 Son's light in Christians
180 Safe travel
27th 3 Ugly beautiful gifts
181 Kitchen counter
182 My pride, God's grace
183 My toes
184 Dressed when the cable guy arrived early
185 Tax refund
Feb 28th 3 Gifts from the past that help you hope for the future
186 Move to Amarillo
187 How I met hubby
188 Credentialing at Seattle Children's Hospital
March
1st 3 Gifts at 3pm
189 DD10yo friends
190 Netflix
191 Terrible awful no good very bad day
2nd 3 Gifts green
192 Seedlings
193 Leeks reborn
194 Egg frog
3rd 3 Gifts wore
195 Wedding ring
196 Black and white sweater
197 Black T-shirt
4th 3 Gifts hard to give thanks for
198 financial challenges
199 too cold to plant garden
200 Sophie's brain cancer
5th 3 Gifts found
201 refund check
202 clay pot
203 photo of hubby at 4 years old
6th A Gift bent, broken, beautiful
204 iPhone
206 snowy trees
207 SnowDay off from school and work from home
7th 3 Gifts in the kitchen
207 homemade nachos
208 working microwave
209 a box of cookie cutters
8th 3 Gifts loud
210 toy train
211 kids playing
212 helicopter
213 car started
9th 3 Gifts carved
214 wooden trains from grandpa
215 Precious Moments sold on Ebay
216 Stein from Germany
10th 3 Gifts in Christ
217 Sabbath and family day (park and monopoly)
218 John Chapter 1
219 sunlight and SonLight
Friday, May 24, 2013
View {Five Minute Friday}
I so appreciate Lisa Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday. It is so fun to just write for 5 minutes without over thinking things. And today's word is: VIEW
GO
View.
Perspective.
It makes all the difference.
Mine has been skewed.
I had my eyes on the world. Oh. So easy to do.
I have been ungrateful and proud.
I have had expectations in ALL my relationships.
But especially from God.
That view is not so great.
And change, change is hard. Especially when its your life view.
But what really do I deserve?
I deserve the punishment for sin, which is death.
But God really is good. And He really does love me. And He sent His Son to die for me.
I don't deserve such love and grace!
That is the view I want to remember.
STOP
GO
View.
Perspective.
It makes all the difference.
Mine has been skewed.
I had my eyes on the world. Oh. So easy to do.
I have been ungrateful and proud.
I have had expectations in ALL my relationships.
But especially from God.
That view is not so great.
And change, change is hard. Especially when its your life view.
But what really do I deserve?
I deserve the punishment for sin, which is death.
But God really is good. And He really does love me. And He sent His Son to die for me.
I don't deserve such love and grace!
That is the view I want to remember.
STOP
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