9.27.2012
126
126. Opportunities given to me by God! So excited right now, I am literally jumping up and down in joy!
9.25.2012
116-125
116. Witnessing emotional growth in my children.
117. Words of affirmation from a peer.
118. A solid hour of focus on another person's feelings and emotions, rather than my own.
119. Feeling God work on my heart.
120. Confidence that it is God changing my heart and not my own power.
121. Answered prayers.
122. Patience and compassion in the face of urgency and frustration.
123. The constant overwhelming love I have for my children that always overshadows their imperfection.
124. Littlest One's adoration for his big brother.
125. A spouse who is all in, one hundred percent, no matter what.
117. Words of affirmation from a peer.
118. A solid hour of focus on another person's feelings and emotions, rather than my own.
119. Feeling God work on my heart.
120. Confidence that it is God changing my heart and not my own power.
121. Answered prayers.
122. Patience and compassion in the face of urgency and frustration.
123. The constant overwhelming love I have for my children that always overshadows their imperfection.
124. Littlest One's adoration for his big brother.
125. A spouse who is all in, one hundred percent, no matter what.
9.23.2012
Chaos, Crumbs, Contentment
I discovered something today. A light bulb moment, if you will. Here is what is was:
Serving other's fulfills a purpose in me that I didn't even know I had. And by living out that purpose, even in my imperfection, I find true joy and contentment.
Here is how I stumbled onto this life changing moment.
My good friend, Christine, came up with the brilliant idea of trading kids one day this past week while we had some date time with our husbands. After she watched our boys on Friday, it was my turn to take her two year old twins yesterday morning. So at 9am sharp, my home was filled with a one 1 year old, two 2 year olds, and 1 four year old. (Say that ten times fast!).
Laughter bounced off the walls, as did the occasional child. Shrieks pierced the room, as did the couch pillows and wayward Hot Wheels. Toy trains zoomed down tracks and miniature airplanes zoomed through the air. Four sets of little feet ran (not walked) on the hardwood floor, making tracks around the kitchen island, as well as memories. Snack time. Movie time. Twins go home time. Nap time. Ahhh...quiet.
But not for long, because here came Round Two. Cousin's Weston and Walker needed a place to camp out for a couple hours while Mom & Dad got a little time in at the shooting range in preparation for their up-coming hunting trip. The train engines were fired up, the blocks re-stacked only to be knocked over again and again, and sand piles were excavated by tractors and dump trucks as the four little boys did what they do best: explore and destruct and rebuild.
Two hours later, we said a goodbye to the cousins, only to say a hello to the twins again fifteen minutes later! This time, however, their parents stayed as our two families prepared and enjoyed a meal together. Laughter, conversation, food, beverage, and relationship filled our evening and it was good. It was comfortable. It was perfect.
Here is the best part about that meal...my house was a mess. Since I was watching children all day, I had only ten minutes to take a shower, which happened to be right before our friends arrived for dinner. (Read: Wet hair and no makeup the whole evening.) There wasn't much food in the house and no gourmet meal was planned. The table cloth had food on it from the night before, the ugly patio cushions had yet to be replaced, and the place settings didn't match. Oh, and for good measure, lets throw in there the multiple fits both of my boys displayed throughout the evening.
That's the best part, you ask? Yes, and here is why: Usually those kind of things would cause such anxiety in me that I would not be able to enjoy the evening. That anxiety would cause me to run around like a crazy women trying to make everything perfect and instead of focusing on the people in my home, I would be focusing on the silly details of my home itself, completely missing the relationships and memories God was putting right in front of me. However, that did not happen last night. Instead, as I looked at the footprints on the floor and the crumbs on the table, I felt content. Even as Benjamin screamed and kicked in a moment of frustration, I was filled with joy when I realized that I was okay with his imperfect behavior in front of our friends.
Today, as I reflected on where this peace came from, I can only conclude that it was because instead of spending a day focused on myself and my needs, I spent the day meeting the needs of four other parents. Small thing? Yes. But now I can't wait for the next opportunity to serve again. And then the next time. And then...
Serving other's fulfills a purpose in me that I didn't even know I had. And by living out that purpose, even in my imperfection, I find true joy and contentment.
Here is how I stumbled onto this life changing moment.
My good friend, Christine, came up with the brilliant idea of trading kids one day this past week while we had some date time with our husbands. After she watched our boys on Friday, it was my turn to take her two year old twins yesterday morning. So at 9am sharp, my home was filled with a one 1 year old, two 2 year olds, and 1 four year old. (Say that ten times fast!).
Laughter bounced off the walls, as did the occasional child. Shrieks pierced the room, as did the couch pillows and wayward Hot Wheels. Toy trains zoomed down tracks and miniature airplanes zoomed through the air. Four sets of little feet ran (not walked) on the hardwood floor, making tracks around the kitchen island, as well as memories. Snack time. Movie time. Twins go home time. Nap time. Ahhh...quiet.
But not for long, because here came Round Two. Cousin's Weston and Walker needed a place to camp out for a couple hours while Mom & Dad got a little time in at the shooting range in preparation for their up-coming hunting trip. The train engines were fired up, the blocks re-stacked only to be knocked over again and again, and sand piles were excavated by tractors and dump trucks as the four little boys did what they do best: explore and destruct and rebuild.
Two hours later, we said a goodbye to the cousins, only to say a hello to the twins again fifteen minutes later! This time, however, their parents stayed as our two families prepared and enjoyed a meal together. Laughter, conversation, food, beverage, and relationship filled our evening and it was good. It was comfortable. It was perfect.
Here is the best part about that meal...my house was a mess. Since I was watching children all day, I had only ten minutes to take a shower, which happened to be right before our friends arrived for dinner. (Read: Wet hair and no makeup the whole evening.) There wasn't much food in the house and no gourmet meal was planned. The table cloth had food on it from the night before, the ugly patio cushions had yet to be replaced, and the place settings didn't match. Oh, and for good measure, lets throw in there the multiple fits both of my boys displayed throughout the evening.
That's the best part, you ask? Yes, and here is why: Usually those kind of things would cause such anxiety in me that I would not be able to enjoy the evening. That anxiety would cause me to run around like a crazy women trying to make everything perfect and instead of focusing on the people in my home, I would be focusing on the silly details of my home itself, completely missing the relationships and memories God was putting right in front of me. However, that did not happen last night. Instead, as I looked at the footprints on the floor and the crumbs on the table, I felt content. Even as Benjamin screamed and kicked in a moment of frustration, I was filled with joy when I realized that I was okay with his imperfect behavior in front of our friends.
Today, as I reflected on where this peace came from, I can only conclude that it was because instead of spending a day focused on myself and my needs, I spent the day meeting the needs of four other parents. Small thing? Yes. But now I can't wait for the next opportunity to serve again. And then the next time. And then...
106-115
106. Morning church with a fellow mom in the same boat as I...children who don't do the nursery thing.
107. Church nursery staff who love my littlest one even when he screams like there is no tomorrow.
108. Worship music that insists I get to my feet, raise my hands, and praise my Father.
109. Unplanned conversations that jump from one topic to the next with ease.
110. Evenings on the patio, enveloped by the fading light of day and sound of children's laughter.
111. Casual dinners with friends in our home.
112. An entire day filled with peals of laughter and shrieks of joy from the multitude of children in our home as their parents enjoyed a day off.
113. Realizing that serving others makes me happy...truly happy!
114. A husband whom I miss when we are apart.
115. Laughing so hard you cry...even better when it's shared.
107. Church nursery staff who love my littlest one even when he screams like there is no tomorrow.
108. Worship music that insists I get to my feet, raise my hands, and praise my Father.
109. Unplanned conversations that jump from one topic to the next with ease.
110. Evenings on the patio, enveloped by the fading light of day and sound of children's laughter.
111. Casual dinners with friends in our home.
112. An entire day filled with peals of laughter and shrieks of joy from the multitude of children in our home as their parents enjoyed a day off.
113. Realizing that serving others makes me happy...truly happy!
114. A husband whom I miss when we are apart.
115. Laughing so hard you cry...even better when it's shared.
9.20.2012
100-105
100. Women who care about other women...either as wives, mothers, writers...
101. Special days between a grandpa and his grandson.
102. Four Year Old's spontaneous welcome hug to a new guest in our home.
103. Grandmother's generosity of her time in the form of babysitting.
104. Weekly programs that teach my son God's word and of his love.
105. Littlest Ones form of kisses that feels more like a face smash.
101. Special days between a grandpa and his grandson.
102. Four Year Old's spontaneous welcome hug to a new guest in our home.
103. Grandmother's generosity of her time in the form of babysitting.
104. Weekly programs that teach my son God's word and of his love.
105. Littlest Ones form of kisses that feels more like a face smash.
I'm All In
It's been nine days since I agreed to co-lead a small group in Women's Bible Study at church. In that time, here is what I've done so far:
- Made a roster sheet and updated it at least five times, via email, phone calls, and sticky notes.
- Met my co-leader for the first time over coffee. Kristin and I got to know each other and hashed out the details of who does what and when.
- Rehearsed the introductory phone calls I would need to make to each woman in my group. Yes, phone calls to strangers scare me.
- Made said phone calls without passing out, giggling nervously, or messing up anyone's names. Luckily, most calls went to voicemail, so I was able to just read my script and then hang up. Yes, I wrote a script.
- Made "Get to know you" cards so a group of strangers could at least know one interesting thing about each other by the end of the morning.
- Reviewed our prayer "method" about a hundred times and practiced out loud about fifty...okay, maybe it was morel like twenty and ten. Still.
- Prayed about praying. It went something like this: Please, God, don't let me sound like an idiot in front of all these women. Give me the words and confidence that makes me sound articulate, smart, and genuine. And if you could change my voice to make me sound like a grown woman rather than an eight year old girl, that would be awesome. Oh, and please please please God, do not let me forget anyone's prayer request, because I will seriously just die from the shame and guilt. Amen. P.S. You are amazing. Amen.
- Made a sign directing people to the right room, since in my introductory phone calls, I told everyone the wrong room number. Oy.
- Completed the weekly homework because apparently the leaders are expected to do that. Something about setting a good example?
- Arrived 30 minutes early Tuesday morning, because, well...I don't really know why. I had nothing to do but contemplate which seat would be best and organize my folders and papers a dozen times.
- Meet my new small group, discuss the homework, explain the prayer method, close us out in prayer, and thank God for getting me through my first official day as a bible study leader.
- Sent a welcome email to the group in anticipation of our second week together. Yep, even after all that, God still was able to change my heart and my mind from fear and trepidation to one of confidence and peace. Then again, it's only Thursday. I better keep praying. :)
9.14.2012
91-99
91. Friends who allow me to serve them.
92. Living in a small enough town that a mom can easily recognize half a dozen people on a random stop at the park.
93. Four Year Old's efforts at new skill.
94. Littlest One's clever ways of communicating.
95. The special language between a mother and child that only the two of them understand.
96. Two little boys who just love to love on everyone.
97. Seven years of commitment.
98. Taking the first tiny step to finally doing something that's really really hard.
99. A serious case of hero worship between father and son.
92. Living in a small enough town that a mom can easily recognize half a dozen people on a random stop at the park.
93. Four Year Old's efforts at new skill.
94. Littlest One's clever ways of communicating.
95. The special language between a mother and child that only the two of them understand.
96. Two little boys who just love to love on everyone.
97. Seven years of commitment.
98. Taking the first tiny step to finally doing something that's really really hard.
99. A serious case of hero worship between father and son.
9.13.2012
82-90
82. Words on paper that could have been written by me because her story is my story...a reminder that I am not alone.
83. Anticipation as sparks of a new friendship begin to ignite.
84. Many, many items crossed of the never-ending to-do list.
85. Obedient children as their mother drags them all over town to check off items of said list.
86. Dinner with friends...a dinner I didn't have to plan, prepare, or clean up after.
87. Husband who constantly reminds me that he is thinking of me, missing me, wanting me whenever we are not together.
88. A phone call from Husband that brings a smile to my face that is still there hours later.
89. Ice.cold.water. When one is thirsty, nothing tastes better.
90. Going to bed with a house still messy and being okay with that.
83. Anticipation as sparks of a new friendship begin to ignite.
84. Many, many items crossed of the never-ending to-do list.
85. Obedient children as their mother drags them all over town to check off items of said list.
86. Dinner with friends...a dinner I didn't have to plan, prepare, or clean up after.
87. Husband who constantly reminds me that he is thinking of me, missing me, wanting me whenever we are not together.
88. A phone call from Husband that brings a smile to my face that is still there hours later.
89. Ice.cold.water. When one is thirsty, nothing tastes better.
90. Going to bed with a house still messy and being okay with that.
9.12.2012
God's Opportunity
Some people live for Fridays (end of the work week, high school football games). Others love their weekends (for obvious reasons). But for me, Tuesdays are days I look forward to now. Women's Bible Study falls on this day of the week, both in the morning and in the evening. I have attended one or the other at different seasons in my life, but never both at the same time. Well, I can't say that anymore, because I now eagerly go to both!
Tuesday mornings are formatted into small discussion groups, followed up by watching the DVD as one large group (around 100 women or so). One of the serving opportunities that God put in front of me was co-leading one of these small groups. It was very tempting because I would already be a part of a group, so why not kill two birds with one stone...attend bible study and serve at the same time? However, like I mentioned in my earlier post, I felt pulled to Tuesday nights. Though I considered trying to do serve in both, I quashed that idea, reminding myself to just take baby steps and not get in over my head.
So yesterday was finally the first Tuesday of the new Fall Women's Bible Study session. I swear, I was like a girl getting ready for the first day of school. I picked out my outfit the night before (a new shirt, nonetheless!) and even put on eyeliner, which is a big deal for me. I'm not sure who I was trying to impress, but my husband liked it. Anyway, I made it through the whole morning without yelling at my kids (another big deal!) and arrived on time and eager to get started. I was placed in a small group with a very good friend of mine, which made the morning extra sweet. After a great DVD session and a get-to-know you conversation with the ladies in my group, I left church feeling very excited about the next eight Tuesday mornings.
Two hours later, the Women's Ministry Director calls. In a nutshell...drop-in enrollment was really high and another small group needs to be formed, and during training, I'd told her that if that happened, I could lead the new group if needed. Oh.
Umm...did I really tell her that? Yes, I do remember saying something along those lines (more like exactly those lines), but that was before I knew I was in Emily's group...and it was just a hypothetical situation when I offered that...and I like the idea of leading a group but I'm not really small group leader material... ohmygosh, what do I do now??
Well, I'll tell you what I did. I said "Yes." Here is why:
Yep, all that in the span of five or ten minutes. Pretty intense. But then Nathan came home and he wasn't mad. He encouraged me and talked me down from the ledge, so to speak. A wonderful friend chose that time to text me, asking how my morning was, which lead to her encouraging words and affirmations. I began to breathe again and remind myself of something I had recently read:
Tuesday mornings are formatted into small discussion groups, followed up by watching the DVD as one large group (around 100 women or so). One of the serving opportunities that God put in front of me was co-leading one of these small groups. It was very tempting because I would already be a part of a group, so why not kill two birds with one stone...attend bible study and serve at the same time? However, like I mentioned in my earlier post, I felt pulled to Tuesday nights. Though I considered trying to do serve in both, I quashed that idea, reminding myself to just take baby steps and not get in over my head.
So yesterday was finally the first Tuesday of the new Fall Women's Bible Study session. I swear, I was like a girl getting ready for the first day of school. I picked out my outfit the night before (a new shirt, nonetheless!) and even put on eyeliner, which is a big deal for me. I'm not sure who I was trying to impress, but my husband liked it. Anyway, I made it through the whole morning without yelling at my kids (another big deal!) and arrived on time and eager to get started. I was placed in a small group with a very good friend of mine, which made the morning extra sweet. After a great DVD session and a get-to-know you conversation with the ladies in my group, I left church feeling very excited about the next eight Tuesday mornings.
Two hours later, the Women's Ministry Director calls. In a nutshell...drop-in enrollment was really high and another small group needs to be formed, and during training, I'd told her that if that happened, I could lead the new group if needed. Oh.
Umm...did I really tell her that? Yes, I do remember saying something along those lines (more like exactly those lines), but that was before I knew I was in Emily's group...and it was just a hypothetical situation when I offered that...and I like the idea of leading a group but I'm not really small group leader material... ohmygosh, what do I do now??
Well, I'll tell you what I did. I said "Yes." Here is why:
- There was a need. Small groups are just that...small. Think 8-10 people, not 20 which is what happened to a group yesterday. That just won't work.
- I offered. Who backs out of something they originally offered to do? Not me.
- I wanted to. Though I was simply happy (and a little relieved if I'm honest) to be a part of a small group and not lead one, deep inside I felt a twinge of regret that I didn't take on that role when it was offered to me. Though it scares me to death to think about leading a group of women in a bible study, I know it is one of the best and fastest ways to grow me in my faith and that excites me!
Yep, all that in the span of five or ten minutes. Pretty intense. But then Nathan came home and he wasn't mad. He encouraged me and talked me down from the ledge, so to speak. A wonderful friend chose that time to text me, asking how my morning was, which lead to her encouraging words and affirmations. I began to breathe again and remind myself of something I had recently read:
My greatest weakness is God's greatest opportunity.Well, here it is, God. The stage is Yours.
71-81
71. Shrieks of delight from my children as their mother puts down her to-do list simply to play with them.
72. Cool water from a hose that fills my mouth with the tastes of summer starting to wane.
73. Eagerness of little hands reaching for tomatoes on vines grown by daddy's hands.
74. Perfect orbs of color in a tangle of green that promise a reward of plump, juicy goodness at the first bite.
75. Children begging for more-more-more of nature's bounty.
76. Joyous laughter that a mere sprinkling of the hose on bare legs can bring.
77. Sweet four year old voice greeting his little brother with "Hi, my sweet baby!"
78. Helping, eager hands of first-born.
79. Scheduled friendship.
80. New opportunities for service and growth.
81. Humbling fear that puts me in my place...on my knees.
72. Cool water from a hose that fills my mouth with the tastes of summer starting to wane.
73. Eagerness of little hands reaching for tomatoes on vines grown by daddy's hands.
74. Perfect orbs of color in a tangle of green that promise a reward of plump, juicy goodness at the first bite.
75. Children begging for more-more-more of nature's bounty.
76. Joyous laughter that a mere sprinkling of the hose on bare legs can bring.
77. Sweet four year old voice greeting his little brother with "Hi, my sweet baby!"
78. Helping, eager hands of first-born.
79. Scheduled friendship.
80. New opportunities for service and growth.
81. Humbling fear that puts me in my place...on my knees.
9.07.2012
63-70
63. Four Year Old's willingness and joy to give his precious Matchbox car to a fellow boy in need of a smile.
64. The tap-tap-tap on my shoulder when I ask Littlest One what he wants.
65. Perfect parking spot, short lines, one available table in a sea of taken ones...ahh, dinner I didn't have to make, serve, or clean up after.
66. Sweet smiles and admiring glances from strangers as they compliment my children, reminding me just how beautiful, polite, and sociable they really are, even in the midst of driving me crazy.
67. The sudden stillness and darkness of the car ride home that instantly soothes me after an evening of lights and noise and movement.
68. The realization that just because I may want to be a certain type of person doesn't mean that is who God created me to be. I may be on to something here.
69. Light bulb moments.
70. Excitement building as I go just one more tiny step forward to becoming who He meant for me to be.
64. The tap-tap-tap on my shoulder when I ask Littlest One what he wants.
65. Perfect parking spot, short lines, one available table in a sea of taken ones...ahh, dinner I didn't have to make, serve, or clean up after.
66. Sweet smiles and admiring glances from strangers as they compliment my children, reminding me just how beautiful, polite, and sociable they really are, even in the midst of driving me crazy.
67. The sudden stillness and darkness of the car ride home that instantly soothes me after an evening of lights and noise and movement.
68. The realization that just because I may want to be a certain type of person doesn't mean that is who God created me to be. I may be on to something here.
69. Light bulb moments.
70. Excitement building as I go just one more tiny step forward to becoming who He meant for me to be.
9.06.2012
56-62
56. Husband's not just willingness, but eagerness to work as much as he can to provide for our family. I have learned that not all husbands are this way, so I try so hard not take it for granted!
57. Children who sleep in, giving me an extra hour of sleep!
58. Hard working hands of family who don't only say "Yes" when we ask them to help us remodel our home, but offer to sacrifice their time with their own family and stop progress on their own home to build ours.
59. Answer's to prayers we didn't even know we had.
60. Four Year Old's spontaneous hugs, accompanied by the words, "I wuv you, Mom."
61. Conclusions that leave me wanting more.
62. His perfect timing of His perfect messages.
57. Children who sleep in, giving me an extra hour of sleep!
58. Hard working hands of family who don't only say "Yes" when we ask them to help us remodel our home, but offer to sacrifice their time with their own family and stop progress on their own home to build ours.
59. Answer's to prayers we didn't even know we had.
60. Four Year Old's spontaneous hugs, accompanied by the words, "I wuv you, Mom."
61. Conclusions that leave me wanting more.
62. His perfect timing of His perfect messages.
9.05.2012
God Answers
There has been an underlying theme in all the bible studies I have had the privilege of participating in this year and it is this: Serve Others.
I have served in the church in various capacities over the years. I've worked in the nurseries, been a part of a children's ministry, bought Christmas gifts for needy children (both local and global), and baked for the youth groups. However, I never felt like my heart was truly in my acts of service, but rather was simply filling a present need in the church body. If I am truly honest, the last couple of years I have selfishly hoarded my time to dedicate it solely to myself and my family. I think God allowed me this respite so I could focus on my family when they needed me the most. Then, at one of the most fragile states of my life as a mother and wife and follower of Christ, God called me off of the sidelines and into the game. This is kind of how the conversation went:
So then I asked God, "Just show me where you want me, God. Present the opportunities to serve in your name." Boy, did He answer! In the span of two days, I was asked to serve Women's Ministry in three different ways! I looked at God and was like, "So, uh, you want me to serve other women I guess?" Though I naturally gravitate towards working with children because it feels easy and safe (kids are much kinder and less judgemental than adults are, as a general rule), I knew that in order to grow my faith and my knowledge, I needed to step out of my comfort zone and begin challenging myself. That is why out of the three fabulous options God presented me with, I felt Him nudge me towards helping my good friend, Robin, with her Tuesday night bible study class. Robin pushes me and challenges me to a level of authenticity I rarely see in women and her knowledge of the bible is enviable. Selfishly, I hope to glean some of that wisdom from her, and I look forward to using Tuesday evenings as a safe place to take a risk and just be me...because sometimes, in a world of women, being yourself is the hardest thing to do.
I have served in the church in various capacities over the years. I've worked in the nurseries, been a part of a children's ministry, bought Christmas gifts for needy children (both local and global), and baked for the youth groups. However, I never felt like my heart was truly in my acts of service, but rather was simply filling a present need in the church body. If I am truly honest, the last couple of years I have selfishly hoarded my time to dedicate it solely to myself and my family. I think God allowed me this respite so I could focus on my family when they needed me the most. Then, at one of the most fragile states of my life as a mother and wife and follower of Christ, God called me off of the sidelines and into the game. This is kind of how the conversation went:
Me: "God, I just don't even know how to be happy anymore! Please, God, show me how to find joy!"This conversation with God took place over the span of about six months. Then, through the "Breaking Free" bible study by Beth Moore, I discovered such a love for Jesus and an amazing sense of peace and satisfaction in Him that now I cannot wait to let that overflow into the lives of others. One of my greatest prayers these days is that every other person I come into contact with (from friends to neighbors to the Fed Ex guy to the grocery store clerk!) will see and feel the love of Christ in me and that there will be little room for doubt as to what Lord I serve.
God: "Through obedience, you will get your joy back."
Me: "But what does that mean? What do I have to do?"
God: "What good is it if a man has faith, but has no deeds? Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." (from the book of James)
Me: "Okay, serving. I get that. But I'm not sure that I'm ready, God. I don't know enough."
God: "Let me meet you where you are. It is through loving and serving others that you will become mature in your faith and steadfast in your walk with me."
Me: "Okay, God. I will trust you and be obedient."
So then I asked God, "Just show me where you want me, God. Present the opportunities to serve in your name." Boy, did He answer! In the span of two days, I was asked to serve Women's Ministry in three different ways! I looked at God and was like, "So, uh, you want me to serve other women I guess?" Though I naturally gravitate towards working with children because it feels easy and safe (kids are much kinder and less judgemental than adults are, as a general rule), I knew that in order to grow my faith and my knowledge, I needed to step out of my comfort zone and begin challenging myself. That is why out of the three fabulous options God presented me with, I felt Him nudge me towards helping my good friend, Robin, with her Tuesday night bible study class. Robin pushes me and challenges me to a level of authenticity I rarely see in women and her knowledge of the bible is enviable. Selfishly, I hope to glean some of that wisdom from her, and I look forward to using Tuesday evenings as a safe place to take a risk and just be me...because sometimes, in a world of women, being yourself is the hardest thing to do.
9.03.2012
50-55
50. Mornings filled with easy friendship and hot coffee.
51. Family's helping hands.
52. Built in friendships in the way of cousins.
53. Husband who genuinely wants to make me happy and shows it!
54. Another item checked off my list...and this one shows just how amazingly God provides. (ie: I balanced the check book and paid the bills).
55. Good friend's reminder that we are in this together...referring to motherhood and all the joys and trials that come along with it.
51. Family's helping hands.
52. Built in friendships in the way of cousins.
53. Husband who genuinely wants to make me happy and shows it!
54. Another item checked off my list...and this one shows just how amazingly God provides. (ie: I balanced the check book and paid the bills).
55. Good friend's reminder that we are in this together...referring to motherhood and all the joys and trials that come along with it.
9.02.2012
41-49
41. Littlest One's laughter...the kind when you laugh so hard, no sound comes out. Now that is joy.
42. Four Year Old's honesty: "I just don't like having to do what you tell me to!" Ahh, so that's the problem. I didn't notice.
43. Visual progress on domestic duties (i.e. I did the dishes).
44. In-laws who love me and welcome me like their own.
45. Friends who selflessly lend out their possessions.
46. Lost terms of endearment from Husband have been found again.
47. Husband's unashamed and endless love for Littlest One and Four Year Old...I could never tire watching that man love on his children.
48. Reminders that I am not alone in my feelings.
49. Beautiful orange moon that guides me home at night.
42. Four Year Old's honesty: "I just don't like having to do what you tell me to!" Ahh, so that's the problem. I didn't notice.
43. Visual progress on domestic duties (i.e. I did the dishes).
44. In-laws who love me and welcome me like their own.
45. Friends who selflessly lend out their possessions.
46. Lost terms of endearment from Husband have been found again.
47. Husband's unashamed and endless love for Littlest One and Four Year Old...I could never tire watching that man love on his children.
48. Reminders that I am not alone in my feelings.
49. Beautiful orange moon that guides me home at night.
9.01.2012
36-40
36. Four Year Old's outgoing attitude and social personality that brings a smile to many strangers faces.
37. Littlest One's cautious nature that will (hopefully) rub off just a bit on Four Year Old...just enough to keep him safe.
38. Saturday morning snuggles in Mommy & Daddy's bed.
39. Love between two brothers in the form of hugs, kisses, and concern.
40. Friends encouraging words of support on new endeavors.
37. Littlest One's cautious nature that will (hopefully) rub off just a bit on Four Year Old...just enough to keep him safe.
38. Saturday morning snuggles in Mommy & Daddy's bed.
39. Love between two brothers in the form of hugs, kisses, and concern.
40. Friends encouraging words of support on new endeavors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
