catalogs

I love looking at magazines and catalogs to get ideas for how to decorate.  However, I've noticed that after perusing Pottery Barn, Ikea, Restoration Hardware and the like, I am more dissatisfied than not.  Yes, I have some ideas but I don't have the same look or the resources that I'm willing to spend to get that "look".  Lesson learned: be thankful for what I have, even though it is not straight out of the catalog perfect, it was given or purchased in love.

sweet Betsy

Betsy is so funny. She loves being chased these days. Giggles abound if you are trying to "get her." She also loves bread.  If she sees you eating it, then she is done with her other food until you give her some.  Andy had a talk with her at last night's dinner and it did help.  After she ate one piece, she managed to eat her baby food before getting another.  She is a sweet little girl though.  She is "talking" on her pretend phone and "reading" books too bad I don't understand most of what she says, but we'll get there soon.

cream

Poor Betsy, yesterday Mollie decided to play hair dresser with some cortisone cream.  Betsy's hair was a mess of course we were trying to get out of the house and I decided to start a load of laundry and left the girls on their own for a few minutes. It washed out fine-probably better than the diaper cream that she could have grabbed.  Mollie seemed pleased with her work at first, but she understands (I think) not to get in the creams again.  I'm positive that there will be many more such episodes as these two grow up.  I hope I can handle them all with a measure of humor and grace.

submission

It is a challenging word, submission, especially in our culture. But, it helps tremendously knowing that the entire idea originated in God and was demonstrated by Jesus. 3 in 1. Amazing. The son obedient to the father even to the point of death on the cross. Wow.  Lots to think about as I submit my life to His and live in submission to Andy. It is a good place to be - women you are different, not unequal in value before God, but different and it is okay to be different. 

family lunch

Yesterday, Andy called just before I normally start making lunch and asked if the kids and I wanted to meet him for lunch. What an unexpected treat. It's been months since we've met him for lunch, and after being in the house for the past several days, I was more than ready to get out! I love my husband. He cares for me, and he knows me well. It is good to have such a friend.  I hope we don't wait as long to do another family lunch, maybe next time I'll call him!

so long sickness

Well it is a cold morning in the bluegrass. I don't know what happened to the spring temps, hope they'll be back soon. No sickness episodes have occurred in a couple of days and the girls are playing as if they are all better today.  Crossing my fingers that we're past this now.  Getting the rest of the cleaning done today. The schedule is out the window for the week, but that is okay, I am just thankful we are all better. 

On a side note, the illness has given me a jump-start on the weight loss and I'm down 3 lbs. The fasting is going well too, we're praying for the people in our home fellowship group during the time we would normally eat dessert. The thing is, I'm not really missing dessert and I'm loving the family prayer time. God is faithful.
blessings

the reoccurance

Well, it happened. Mollie got sick again after her nap yesterday. Now back to cleaning and disinfecting. Andy is heading to work today--I am really going to miss him.  I'll catch the rest of you all in the a.m. Blessings.

on the mend

Well, the stomach bug seems to be gone from our home after both girls puked at breakfast yesterday, we've had no other symptoms.  Of course, we are laying low for the rest of the week just to be sure.  Maybe we'll manage to get out of pj's today. We shall see. Hope the rest of you are well.

stomach virus

My Mollie-girl was so very sick on Sat. all morning long. We were visiting w/ my folks and had plenty of help with caring for her-thankfully.  Just praying that my parents and family don't get sick b/c Andy and I have contracted the bug. I tell ya, it is worrisome to know that you have to pull it together and care for the little ones when you'd rather burrow under the covers and go back to bed for the rest of the day. Please pray for us.
blessings

the park

Yesterday, with wagons and 7 kids in tow, my friend and I made it to the park for a picnic lunch and play time. What fun. Come on spring, I'm looking forward to more days like that. Perfect weather, good times, sharing food and loving one another. Life is great. Hope you had a great time at your place too.

bobble bug

We stopped at Mickey D's yesterday and the toy was a LPS (littlest pet shop) bobble-head ladybug. Bobble-bug, the girls love them. We don't stop for happy meals often, but yesterday we had pictures done at Sears and even though I had dinner ready to go in the oven , I didn't anticipate it taking 2 hrs. at the studio.  1 for taking the pictures and 1 for making selections.  Sometimes I feel like a bobble head myself.  Oh well, dinner is ready to go tonight, and we will have some awesome prints in a few days.  Have a great Friday!

shamrock

Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Saint Patrick ingeniouslyused the shamrock to help explain the trinity and converting many pagans to the Christian faith.
By the way, Erin go bragh means Ireland forever.
Hope you found a lil bit o' green to wear today.

On a side note, totally forgot about not eating sweets and shared an ice-cream cone w/ my Betsy while at the mall yesterday.  :( So much for that goal but I am back on track now and down only a pound - more than a little disappointed about that, but with warmer weather expected today and tomorrow, I'm ready to get the stroller to the park.

Blessings

little fashionista

"A dress and tights and shoes" That's Mollie's current dress code, and if she has to wear leggings or pants, she is melting down.  Wow, what a fashionista. I must say though that she looks cute in her dress and tights and shoes.
Hope you get to wear what you want today.

PanJa

We have been praying for Japan since the tsunami and earthquake hit ... the destruction there is so overwhelming it is hard to fathom.  When asking Mollie what she wanted to pray about, she said PanJa.  I said "Japan" she said "JapanJa"  Melted my heart.

time change

Whenever the time change happens I need to remember to have an extra measure of grace for myself and the girls. It does take us a few days to get back in sync. But we aren't the only one's having trouble. Our PBS station is showing programs at the wrong times for daylight savings. Mollie is having trouble understanding why Calliou is not playing. Small challenges needing love and patience. Hope you have a blessed day. Maybe I'll check for the program in an hour.

Gazing

You are what you behold.  What kind of things are you gazing on?  What are your priorities?  Are you seeking after things that the world holds dear, money, fame, the next high? or are you seeking the things that are not seen - a life hid with Christ?  I know I need to allow God to make some adjustments in me, how about you?
Blessings.

donate

I have mentioned before about giving things away and purging clothes, but what better time than Lent to really get back to basics in your life not only in spiritual matters but in physical ones as well. My current quest is to continue to pare down, there is freedom in having less "stuff". Blessings.

p.s. Got the walk done and still no sweets - sweet!

walking partner

Well my walking partner has been unable to meet this week due to illness (she and her kiddos have been under the weather) and I must confess that I have not had the fortitude to go it alone.  Maybe tomorrow. Maybe. Maybe? No, it is YES. I'll do it, even if it is by myself!
One day down w/ no sweets, still holding strong :)
Blessings

Ash Wed.

Here we go, the beginning of Lent. Andy said that the girls can participate too by no desserts after dinner. I can give them sweets for snacks like I normally do (which is not daily but sometimes). We are also going to pray as a family for the members of our home fellowship group, give more, and watch no tv from Thurs. night to Fri. night.  I am looking forward to this time. Blessings.

I guess the Sunday break is celebrated by lots of Christians as well. From Wikipedia The six Sundays in this period are not counted because each one represents a "mini-Easter," a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.


From Wikipedia: Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered after the palms or Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned.
Lent in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

fat Tues.

Time for the last hoo rahs before the season of Lent. Andy said that he would give up sweets too but we can eat sweets on Sundays during Lent (His family often lifted their fast at that time.) I'm looking forward to this time, not only spiritually but physically as well as this was the fattest Tues. I've seen in a month.  Blessings.

baby shower

My sister-in-law is expecting a baby boy in July. It is so exciting to celebrate a new life. We were able to host a baby shower over the weekend and had a wonderful time visiting with the family.  I love being a part of a family where each life is welcomed and loved.  God is good and knows us even as we are being knit together in our mother's womb. Amazing.

Lent

I grew up in the Baptist church and did not follow the church calendar.  As and adult, I am finding there is much joy (and comfort of a sort) in celebrating Advent and Lent and identifying more and more with the global church. Ash Wednesday is coming up next week and I'm thinking of giving up desserts for the time of Lent.  I know some who embrace disciplines in this time, which I think is great as well. Preparing for the Easter celebration takes on a whole new meaning when you walk in a time of self-denial.
Prayerfully consider what God may be calling you to do during this Lenten season.  Meet God in a new way.

reading nook

I had a couple of friends over yesterday that helped me set up the reading nook in an open area at the top of the stairs. It turned out so cute. We pulled in some of the kids furniture from outside, rearranged the book cases, added a lamp and a bench and some pillows.  I might have thought to do some of those things, but not all ... I'm so glad that I have friends that think out of the box.  I must say, the house is really coming together...haven't hung up much art, but as a whole, it is looking and feeling more like home. Can't wait to go read in the nook. :) blessings

crisps

Mollie is enjoying books and videos from the UK ... Maisy, Spot and Paddington are some of our favorites so if she asks you for some crisps while she is on holiday or pretending to be a stowaway, just put her in a box and pass her some chips. :p

where mollie go

Mollie likes to close her eyes and ask: "Where Mollie go?" as if we can't see her. I think we are like that sometimes with God. We close our eyes and refuse to see Him. He is there revealing Himself, but we are too preoccupied with our game to see Him.  Open your eyes, there He is. :) Blessings on this Wednesday.

walking program

My friend and I have been walking 2-3 days each week for the past 3 weeks. I've yet to lose any weight or inches but I know that I need to keep at it and I will see results. (She may already notice some-I've not asked). Life is like that sometimes we do the things we know we should even though we may not see the results immediately.  Pressing on in this adventure with my friend - it's been great catching up and knowing that eventually we will both realize better health if nothing else.