new batteries

Andy replaced some batteries in a few toys last week and the girls are playing with them a lot. They liked the toys fine before but now they love them.  Amazing what a fresh pair of AA's will do.  I know there are areas in my life that I need to recharge.  Prayer, rest, meditation, worship, solitude, and reading the Bible are my AA's.

dishes done

The other night while Andy and I were on a date, our sitters, after eating dinner and feeding the girls, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.  What a blessing. I was so touched by this act of service. Not that I mind doing the dishes, but it was very nice to come home and the chore list was done. My heart is still happy just thinking about it.
It reminds me of this parable in Matthew 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time? 24:46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes. 24:47 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.

I want to be like that good and faithful servant; working to please the master. I want to call attention to my friend as well b/c she did not do those dishes to get any kind of reward, she just wanted to bless us and that mission was accomplished!

leaky roof

We have a leak ... in the guest bedroom closet which is empty but still such a hassle to deal with water coming into the house. Our old house had 2 floods in the basement before we installed the B-Dry system - never flooded again after that. I don't know if they make B-Dry for roof tops but we are looking into it. :)  I'm so thankful for Andy and his patience with such matters. He is good for me.

Oh yeah, yesterday went well with the girls. I moved their dollhouse from the bedroom to the living room and traded some other toys around.  It was a golden idea.

Rainy day

We are expecting a lot of rain today. I guess I'm going to have to get creative with these little girls to keep them occupied for the day. One good thing about a rainy day = it's good for sleeping. Mollie and Betsy are taking advantage as am I, we all slept in.  That is nice, but I'm wondering what it will do to nap time later. Maybe we all could use a little extra rest and they'll go down like they normally do. :)
I don't really mind the rain, spring is on the way. God is good.

Mommy hold you

Mollie is usually independent with play except while I am trying to make dinner.  Of course, she wasn't feeling the best yesterday, and that made it much harder for me to put her off until I could get things to a simmer. It is rather hard to ignore her while she is wrapping her arms around my leg and giving it kisses.  I love her and we have plenty of lap time and play time together.  Bless her heart and mine :) These days are passing fast.

Martha Washington

Andy and I listened to a story about the Washingtons around Christmas ... book on tape from the library. Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark. It was very enjoyable.  Hope you all had a good President's Day.
Here is a quote from Martha Washington that I love:
I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.

somersaults

Mollie has learned how to do somersaults. She needed some help at first, but is now able to do them on her own.  It is quite amazing to watch these girls grow, seemingly right before my eyes.  Betsy is not walking yet but it is just a matter of minutes :) She is cruising the furniture and walks with minimal assistance.  Fun and busy days abound around here that is for sure! Gotta go catch my gymnast.
Blessings

mirror mirror

My friend and I went on a search for a mirror for over my fireplace...we found a couple that might work and one that I really liked but it was too wide and several that were too small. It is tempting just to make a purchase to have it done, but I don't want to spend the money on something that I am not sure about ... don't get me wrong, there are plenty of those purchases all around my house already.  But, for this space and in this time I am willing to wait until I find the right one. 
She did find a great rug and we had a fun outing so the day was not lost.  Maybe next time I'll find the right one.

birthday girl

Aww, here is my baby girl. My friend Enid did some editing from my photo, I now I have this gem to share. I love friends who are so talented. If you are in Lexington or nearby, she does photography sessions for individuals and families. You can check out her work on facebook under ebd creations...photography in your environment. I love supporting people who love the Lord and do quality work.

Godiva

I forgot to mention that Andy got me chocolates for Valentine's day, and roses, and the sweetest card. The chocolates were Godiva. I have yet to break the seal on them but I will savor each one. Did you know that you can get a free chocolate from the Godiva boutique at the mall each month just for registering your e-mail address with them.  What a treat. 
I am reading about the temple right now and how explicit God was in it's design.  I love knowing that God wants the very best and he cares about each detail.  He is so good, better than the best chocolatier. Enjoy the day, know God wants the best for himself.

Betsy's big day

I have a 1 yr. old now...not too much longer before she is walking and talking and being even busier than now.  It is so fun being a mom who gets to stay home and watch all the milestones come and go. I am blessed beyond measure and this little girl is one of life's sweetest rewards. Happy Birthday Betsy looking forward to celebrating you all day long :)

Happy Valentine's day

It is nice to be married on Valentine's day, but even if you are single at this time, know that you are chosen. Learn how to meet God in a lonely time, let him be your friend. 

Song of Solomon 6:3 I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;

Betsy bear

It is hard to believe that Betsy will be 1 in just a few days!  Her party w/ the families is today.  What a blessing she has been. She is learning to do so much-and is generally a happy girl.  We love our baby but want to see her learn to do many more things in the coming year.  We are busy as bees at our house w/ 2 little ones, but it is so much fun!

priorities

Last night, among other things, Andy and I talked about my schedule. How I need help determining what needs to get done and what I want to get done.  Sometimes it is hard for me to tell the difference in the two.  I'm thankful he listened and that we'll talk more on the subject.  It will be hard for me to reset some things on my agenda but necessary. 

one month

We've lived in our home for a month today. It is feeling more like home every day. There are still a few boxes to unpack and some decorating to be done, but we are enjoying our house so much.  It seems like there is a box every day or two filled with a project (new cabinet hardware, faucet...) but we'll get to those things in time. We are so blessed and were just talking about how we live like kings - maybe even better than the kings of old with our hot showers, indoor plumbing, big kitchen with a stocked pantry, closets with more clothes than we wear, and comfy beds. Blessed indeed.

Walking in the truth

I think it is very easy for me (and a lot of women) to live life based on feelings and not on the truth of God's word.  I am praying that I would operate in the TRUTH more and how I feel less. 

fancy dinner

Last night Andy took me out for Valentine's dinner. He chose Guisepe's a nice Italian restaurant here in town. Before we got in the door, we helped a lady push her car back into a parking spot along with two other couples (none of us had pushed a Mercedes before).  Andy was able to give her his card and went back to check on her-a friend was on the way.  Then, we had a delicious meal - crab cakes, salad, scallops over linguine.  We were going to go to the furniture store but it was closed, so Andy filled up the van for me and we went home.  The girls were still up, which was nice and Andy scraped snow off his mom's car. Grandparents are such a blessing to babysit in a pinch, especially when your regular sitters are sick or busy.
It was a lovely night out-I'm blessed to have a husband that takes such good care of me (and others).

praying

Another way to show love to your friend, spouse, another is to pray for them.  Pray for God's blessing in their life. It not only builds them up spiritually but you as well. Allow God to reveal himself to you on behalf of another person, who knows you may even get a scripture or hymn, song or a word for them.  Get excited, God hears your prayers.  See how He will answer them.

being humble

It is good to humble yourself before the Lord. God is so good. Instead of pushing ahead with our agenda, it is more fulfilling to wait on His.  I have ideas about what I should be as a wife and mother, but if I keep pushing my ideas on God and my family without being responsive to them, it is really self-serving and not uplifting.  Not an easy task, but a necessary one-to be yielded to others.  There is great joy in that.

1 Jn. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

love letter

One thing that I've been unpacking is boxes of cards and letters.  It is a good thing to hang onto these special notes to be encouraged when you are down.  I know it's helped me to reread them, so one thing that I know Andy will get for Valentine's day is a card.  Our words hold so much power to heal or to hurt.  Lord, help me to watch my tongue.

showing love

Last February, I gave Andy 14 take 5 mini-candy bars one for each day before Valentine's day.  I put a new wrapper on each of them for a 5 minute activity geared to show him love (a hand massage, a conversation, kisses).  It took a little time, but not much and he was really blessed. I'm still thinking of ways to bless him this year. 

We do things for others each day (changing diapers, combing hair, fixing meals, washing clothes, etc.) how can we do them more lovingly? Don't be tempted think that what you do everyday doesn't mean anything, it does.
 Now how to do all things in love, there is the challenge.


1 Cor. 16:14 Everything you do should be done in love.

love is kind

Kindness does not equal being a doormat.  In fact, sometimes it is kindness to say and do very hard things (eat your broccoli, clean your room, loose some weight, get a job) in love. Sometimes kindness is doing easy things (eat another cookie, holding a door, using good manners, giving money). I know I need wisdom to know how to be kind. Always. To my kids, friends, neighbors, to the guy who cut me off, to the homeless and helpless.  Lord, help me to be kind as you are kind. 

love is patient

Hello February the month of love. What better way to start off the month than a reflection of what love truly is and how to emulate it to those around you?  1 Corinthians 13 readily came to mind.  Love is patient.  Am I patient, not always. Sometimes, when driving, or when things didn't go my way, when the girls are dawdling, or when I am on hold for a while  ... I would say I am far from patient.  Lord, teach me to love.