Flexi Give Away at Far Above Rubies

Far Above Rubies is giving away Flexi-Clips from Lilla Rose!

 

Prayer- the struggle and the wrestling

This is the last week for the study of Colossians with Good Morning Girls.  I have been so completely blessed and truly in the Word without feeling guilty for missing any days (I was really sick with a stomach bug on Sunday night and getting through this week was more focused on recovery) .  This was the BIBLE.  It was raw and real.  It wasn't a study with an extra book or one single person telling me how to read or what to believe in the Bible.  It let God do the talking and instructing.  It let the Spirit do the convicting.  It was with women who were not afraid to let the Scriptures BE life not just a compartment of their lives.  So super excited for the Advent study!!!!! 

I am not going to post my Bible study today because I wanted to also share about prayer.  I am involved with moms at church who are dedicated to praying for their children.  We meet on Tuesday mornings.  I love praying Scriptures for my children.  It is a struggle.  It is a wrestle.  Just like in Colossians where it says Epaphrus was "struggling on your (the Colossians) behalf in his prayers".  It reminded me of Jacob wrestling with the Angel and asking to be blessed.  It gives me a whole different outlook on prayer.  It even confuses me a little. 

My pastor's wife recommended having a notebook for our sheets of paper where we record our prayers.  I hope to start that soon.  Nearly every time I am with the group my baby is in my arms.  In this case, I would agree with my husband that a third arm would be very convenient because I hardly ever write anything.  My prayers are what God wants not necessarily written down., but I dearly love to see answered prayers and writing them down would help. 

This study has been amazing and I am so excited to see God working in the next one. 

Colossians Bible Study

Scripture-

Colossians 3:17- And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation-

Words are what we say.  Deeds are what we do.  EVERYTHING  Paul is continually telling the Colossians to be thankful.  I wonder why.  Maybe they had been ungrateful.  Maybe they needed constant reminders.  Maybe they complained a lot.  I am not sure we know, but I never realized this theme so clearly before.  

 Application-

I need to be thankful for the little things and the big things.  In word or deed and everything I do should be done in the name of Jesus.  I don't know if it is more complicated than that.  I guess I am not very good at stretching out my Bible study sometimes.  I know that I, personally, have a baby crying to get up and I sometimes want to leave her crying for a just a few minutes to get my study done.  I am thankful that I have a baby even if she is fussing.  I am thankful for dirty kitchen because that means we are well fed.  I am thankful that I am sitting on a couch practically covered in baby dolls because that means I have daughters displaying a nurturing spirit either that or they wanted to creep me out for Halloween a little early at 5:30am- but still I am thankful.  I will speak with love.  I will work hard in the name of Christ.

Prayer-

 Dear God,  Help me do and say the right things in your name.  I want to thank you for my family- the husband who loves to watch TV, play video games sometimes in excess, but willingly and courageously provides for us, my girls who fight and complain but are learning your Word, and for cute babies who are not always so cute at 2am.  Help me serve them.  Help me serve them by doing EVERYTHING in your name, Jesus.

Amen

Time to Clean

Guess who is coming to visit today?  My mother-in-law.  And guess whose house is an absolute mess?  Mine.  Yup, I feel great...that is sarcasm because you can't see me or hear me.  I am really trying to be that spiritually mature and faithful housewife but I almost really lost it yesterday.  I am just telling the truth and sometimes the day is just survival. 

Yesterday every time I picked up the baby to nurse her I practically fell asleep.  It has something to do with a hormone rush of oxytocin, which relaxes ones body but I felt like zombie.  I didn't even cook dinner- we got a pizza.  I have been overwhelmed and discouraged in general because I am solely responsible for the house.  My little ones need complete supervision for almost all chores.  I could really use some prayer because I am starting to dislike Sundays which sounds so AWFUL and IS awful. 

Dear LORD,
Please help me!  I am tired and discouraged.  I praise your name and want to do what is right.  I want to be responsible.  Help me be the wife and mother You have called me to be. 
In Your precious holy name,
AMEN

Shabby Apple

There is a contest going on at Shabby Apple Win Dresses!!!  It looks pretty awesome!

Good Morning Girls Bible Study Colossians

Scripture-

Colossians 2:8

Don't let anyone capture you [Colossians] with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Observations-

Someone must have been spreading around empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense.  Paul's warning had to have come from somewhere or for some reason.  Spiritual powers are real and were strong at this time.

Application-

I don't want to be captured by empty philosophies and worldly high-sounding nonsense.  How do I recognize it for what it is?

If I stay rooted in Christ like the verse before talk about then I will be strong in my faith.  It keeps going back to tree analogy for me.  I drew a picture of it in my notebook so I can't recreate it and I haven't got a scanner to load the picture but I keep seeing the soil which is TRUTH=CHRIST.  The roots are HOPE.  The strong trunk is FAITH.  The fruit from our lives is JOY, PEACE, AND THANKFULNESS.

Prayer-

Dear LORD, Help me stay rooted in your truth, in You.  I don't want to be swayed by high-sounding nonsense and empty philosophies.  Teach me.  Keep me strong.

Amen

I did this Bible study on 10/9/2012.  I also watched Call the Midwife.  I am currently reading Created to be His Help Meet and The Mockingjay.  Sadly, I burnt a pot of beans!  It made the smoke alarm go off.  I am starting to get tired of trying to save money by eating beans.  This is my third attempt- first I didn't let them soak long enough and they were gross and hard, second time I soaked them too long and they sprouted and smelled awful, and this time I burnt them.  I am so very thankful that we have food, though.  I can find many things to be thankful for this week that it will be OVERFLOWING. 

Artsy

1) Skirts or Jeans?

Well since becoming a mom I have lost my figure dramatically and can barely stand anything that is not elastic around my waist so I usually have to go with skirts though they can be a little hard to find at used clothing stores which i swhere I tend to shop to keep cost down.  I love feeling feminine, too.

2) Cats or Dogs?

My husband thinks I am unfeeling or lazy, I am not sure which, but I don't really like animals.  I don't have a close connection with them and frankly I can't read their moods so I am almost always a little scared of them no matter how "friendly" they seem to be.  I associate dogs with too much work (pick up poop, walking them, training them etc.), but I did have a cat that I dearly loved so if I had to choose- cat.  I love how they can just sleep any where and make you feel warm and peaceful.  

3) Cows or Horses?

Oh dear, another animal question.  Again I am EXTRA afraid of horses ("superman" was nearly killed by one for goodness sakes, what does that tell you?)  Cows seem much more useful in that they provide beef and milk so cows is my final answer.  Though horses look very beautiful and majestic from a distance.

4) Wood floors or Carpet?

I love the look of wood floors, but since becoming a mom running a vacuum cleaner over things and hiding them in shaggy brown carpet is a whole lot easier than sweeping every 10 min.  Our hard wood floors are sadly taking a beating from toys, kids furniture, and markers.  I think I have to prefer carpet at this time in my life.

5) Rain or Sun?

Well I live in Salem, Oregon where it rains quite frequently, which I did not realize before I moved here.  I have grown to love it to an extent and it gives me an extra excuse to continue in my comfortable introverted ways.  Though as soon as the sun comes out you usually will find me reading outside under the trees or having a picnic with my girls.   

Domestic

According to dictionary.com
Definition of Domestic-

1.

of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family: domestic pleasures.

2.

devoted to home life or household affairs.

When I was thinking of linking up on the Domestically Divine Tuesdays I wasn't sure if anything I contributed was under the definition of "domestic" so I had to look it.  I LOVE being at home and doing homey things (not homie rap-friend or gangsta but, you know, comfy things). 

Since we are not rich monetarily and I am not ACTUALLY gifted in decorating I keep things simple and everything is from something someone has given me or the dollar store.  This picture is really dark but here is my kitchen window.  Yes, it is dirty.  Yes, it is tacky and simple, but that is me.  I don't want to have to worry about my kids breaking something expensive.  The apple candles were from a neighbor.  I am really into the Scentsy right now too.  I can't wait for my fall scents to come.  

Colossians Bible Study

I am trying to limit myself to one post a day at most so I promise no more today because this is pushing the limit, but I just wanted to remind myself and promote Good Morning Girls just in case I have a reader or two ;-).  We are studying Colossians and I am so excited every morning to wake up and read what God has in store for me!

Thanks for Giving Me a New Reading List- Like I Need One

From Far Above Rubies there is a new book list for me to add to my ever growing books I want to read.  I haven't read much on marriage, parenting, or a whole lot of nonfiction so this is where I will start.  I have to be honest and say I have never read any of these books but I have read many a review on them (especially concerning the first one).  Here is to another challenge- reviews will most likely be posted on Owloysius Girls or Good Reads.  The first book is Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl.  Oh!  I can't wait for the controversial topics. 

School Fun for All Ages

 This is our first year with someone in school!  It has been pretty exciting around here.  Hermione has started Kindergarten at Aumsville Elementary.  She is having fun learning and meeting new friends.  She can sometimes be hard to wake up so early in the morning, but we (which mom has had to work on too) are getting into the swing of things.  Mom gets up at 5:30 to get at least half an hour alone to do Bible study with Good Morning Girls, then wake up Lucy and nurse her while listening to a sermon or Focus on the Family, wake up the other 2 around 6:40, and start breakfast.  I have been learning to make it simple.  We either have eggs and toast or oatmeal.  We get dressed, brush hair, find shoes and sweaters, and pack up.  Goal is to be out the door by 7:30. 

Hermione doesn't talk much about school, but she seems to enjoy it.  She can write her name if you tell her the letters to write, which I find pretty impressive in itself since her name is so long.  We practice at home and the thing we are focusing on is making sure we start as far to the left as possible so we have plenty of room to write.  She is expressed a great interest in letters and she enjoys The Berenstain Bears books and Hello Kitty accessories.  We have made a deal to pick at least one favorite thing at school to tell me about at the end of the day.  She usually says recess, crafts, or coloring.  We have had a lot of fun singing "I Love My Blue Shoes" from the Pete the Cat book.  

 Ariana, along with Hermione, are working on the program Little Hands to Heaven.  Some days are great and some days are just too silly and some days everyone is a little too tired.  The time it takes to do everything for the day's lesson always seems just right.  I have set up file folders for all the crafts and paper work.  It keeps thing so much more organized.  Since the program basically focuses on one letter a week I have added a couple things.  On Monday we pick snacks that go along with our letter ex. B= bananas, brownies etc.  This week we are working on D so we have been eating WAY too many donuts and Doritos.  There aren't a whole lot of healthy foods that start with D (hehehehe).  We also pick extra literature to read with the letter of the week which we get most of our suggestions from Letter of the Week
 


Ariana is so much fun when she isn't over tired and frustrated.  She can also be very whiny so I have had to use a new discipline plan I read about in 123 Magic.  She is responding well.  But I love teaching this little girl.  She knows what she likes and loves to recognize the letter A especially since it is the first letter in her name.  She has started Cubbies just yesterday so she is surrounded by much spiritual training this year.  These pictures are from our last summery thing before it started cooling down- fountains at Riverfront Park.  Ariana's favorite things are anything fashion related, ponies, the color purple, coloring, and painting.  She has also made me take back something that I thought my kids would never do- color on the walls.  

Lucy- she has a lot of explaining to do.  She is 9 months old and so tiny for her age.  At almost 16 pounds she can sit up and army crawl where ever she wants to go.  She wants mom pretty much 24/7 and almost always smiles for the camera.  We love her!  She is just too cute except for when she doesn't want to take a nap.  As for school, she has finally warmed up to the idea of being read to.  We use the Brightly Beaming Baby Lessons so we read a lot.  We rock back and forth to Love You Forever and can't get enough of Are You My Mother? 




We can't wait to tell you more about what we are learning and doing.  Right now I am currently involved in teaching 2s and 3s Sunday School class and on Women's Ministry Committee.  Next school year I hope to homeschool full time so all encouragement and prayers are greatly accepted.  Jeremiah 29:11-  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Stumped and Slumped

Lately I have not been able to finish reading a book (at least not one in the adult section of the library).  I have even been having difficulty starting books.  This truly bothers me because I LOVE to read.  I think it is a mixture of things right now.  First of all I have a baby.  She is seven almost eight months old.  She is sitting up now though she is still spitting up a couple times a day.  She certainly loves her mama.  I am holding her now and typing one handed.  This little cutie has made reading very difficult.  I usually read AT LEAST 30 min every day but with the one particularly needy child it has been hard to carve out this time.

Secondly, I have just discovered Heart of Dakota.  I have been debating whether to homeschool my girls on and off for awhile now.  Financially, even with all the "free" homeschool help, we just knew it was not possible.  But God has truly blessed us with better finances though we are not monetarily rich, we are in a much better place.  Heart of Dakota is budget friendly AND not confusing or time consuming.  It looks AMAZING and I can't wait to get started.  I have to order every piece one at a time, which is about one book or resource a week and I am getting impatient to start.  So every time I get a chance to read I end up looking through the catalog to see what I am able to order the next week.  I am getting so excited about teaching!

Thirdly, I usually make a book list and I have really been convicted of reading junky things.  I can usually read my way through some crazy stuff, but I am getting older.  I just want to read good books now.  I hope I can find them because many of the "classics" are not cutting it.  Here is to hoping I will fall in love with reading again soon. 

I Am (Sometimes) the Overwhelmed Mom

I aim to do a lot more than I should, and that is why I am overwhelmed.  I have tried schedules, lists, chore charts, and work books etc.  It is an endless cycle.  I feel like I am walking on a treadmill.  I am constantly moving but not getting any where. 

Getting the Children to Help
My oldest is 4 (Hermione).  She is actually very helpful these days.  She will get cereal for the baby and towels for all the spit up and has an attention span long enough to finish cookie recipes.  I recently bought her a responsibility chart which was going very strongly for the first two days now we have already been slacking off.  Please, LORD, help ME be disciplined enough to keep up with the day to day things that need to get done.  See how this doesn't help an overwhelmed mom very much the weight is again put on my shoulders.  Ariana (2) is slowly learning.  We changed things up at home recently that has her in tears almost every day.  I want us all to be dressed for breakfast and they want to be in pjs.  I want to change this around because of all the appointments we seem to have (especially in the morning).  We have daily battles right now, again, another overwhelming thing to deal with.  The baby has reflux and obviously can not help except to make cute faces, which do brighten my day.  In the long run, I know all the overwhelming stuff can't compare to the joy of teaching every day lessons and learning to work together and instructing in righteousness.

Let my yes be yes and my no- no.
Usually not a big problem, but Hermione is a good negotiator and sometimes I actually have to be flexible on this because she can often come up with something more important that needs to be done that mommy forgets about.  I don't love to see my children cry.  I hope I am doing the right things.  Right now I am battling the television.  I praise God that we do not have cable or any tv channels at all.


Stop excusing your child's inappropriate behavior
I guess I don't know how this helps with not being overwhelmed.  What am I SUPPOSE to do when my daughter won't say anything to her teachers or people who are passing her at church?  Stop right there and discipline or instruct (talk about super overwhelming)?


Ask Others for Help
This I do not think I have a problem with.  I am not afraid (any more) to ask for help though sometimes I don't know the right people to ask.  My neighbor has definitely been one of the most helpful with last minute baby-sitting and bringing over coffee when I have run out.  I am not above anyone in asking for help.

Me Time
Ahh...the ultimate balance in life.  I never know if I am just plain lazy or do I really need all this me time.  Take last night for example.  We had spent the day making some cookies and Lucy was having a very rough reflux day (a lot more spit up than usual).  The kitchen was a mess but it was beautiful outside.  My husband was not home.  I just heated up a can of chili, plopped in their bowls, let them watch T.V., bathed, and read to them and sent them to bed.  It was almost 10 o'clock by the time I got this all done.  Now do I go clean the kitchen?  spend time with my husband?  take a me time bath and read for fun?  I chose the last one.  And now my kitchen is still a mess and my husband and I spent time watching a couple shows he likes.  I didn't get to bed till 12:07am.  Now was that right?  Should I just clean the kitchen and go straight to bed?  I just have so much guilt over "me time".

Well that is me-  one overwhelmed mom.  I pray that I can become more disciplined so my children will follow suit.

These tips were given from Far Above Rubies.  I was just giving my responses to feelings to the list.  




  

What Is At The Top of the To Do List

After reading this devotion this morning during a week in which I have so much going on really put things into perspective for me.  On the top of my new to do list this week-

#1.  Love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.
#2.  Respect and Honor my husband.
#3.  Instruct my children in righteous conduct.

I am so very blessed and hope that I can spread the joy.

Growing Home Give Away

The Confident Mom is giving away the summer boredom package!

Just Sitting in Anticipation

Since Lucy has to go into the clinic twice a week to get weighed and she wants to be held- often, we haven't done much.  I probably shouldn't be blogging but I needed to get some words out.  It is helpful during stressful times and there is plenty of that to go around here.

Ariana and I worked on our All Kinds of Eggs Lesson this week.  Sadly didn't prepare because I only had one egg in the fridge but she had loads of fun with an egg hunt in which I hid words inside for her to learn.  She is only 2 years old, but I thought she might like the activity.  I should have just put the word EGG in all of them but we had recently been working on the letter Q so it was just some easy words like- quilt, queen, and mom, dad.  I think she had fun.

Hermione and I have Kindergarten registration today.  Mama, of course, is a little nervous and still unsure that this is the right decision for our family so I am taking a step of faith.  

We caught up with a tiny bit of laundry and went to the library.  I ate a little bit of ice cream (I know, I know that is a no-no), but I am a stress eater and there has been some extra unmentionable problems right now.  Please pray for my husband and our church right now.  Here are some pictures of my 5 month old 10 lb. 11.5 oz baby to make us all feel a little better.  She is itty bitty.

Priority Shift

I have to put some goals on hold and switched to some new ones.  My youngest daughter, Lucy, is almost five months old.  A couple weeks ago we took her to the doctor and found out she wasn't gaining any weight.  She has been spitting up most of mama's milk.  The doctor put her on some medicine for GERDs, but from the advice from some real moms I decided to lay off the dairy.  I am on week two of no dairy.  At first it was very difficult because I had to wait for pay day to replace some of my snacking habits with nondairy items.  But my husband went to Costco and came back with a nice big box of Larabars.  He was so very thoughtful and encouraging to me while making the no dairy switch.  So in between feeding her every 3 hours plus supplementing with formula to make long story short Lucy has gone from 9 lbs. 3 oz to 10 lbs. 5.5 oz in about 2 weeks.  The doctors goal with her is for her to gain at least one ounce a day.  Just to recap because I don't know when I will have time to post again-

Old Goals (put on hold)-
*52 Weeks to an Organized Home
*Reading 12 Books this Year (I usually read a lot more than this but I figured I would make the goal VERY attainable because of the craziness of life and it obviously was a good decision seeing that the health of my family has taken center stage.)
*Keeping the cookie jar at least half full with HOMEMADE cookies

New Goals-
*Lucy needs to reach 12 lbs by the end of the month (to make doctor happy)
*The 21 Rules of this House Project (this is long over due)
*Keeping up with no dairy diet

I am excited for the new goals but sad about not being able to bake or read as much, but sometimes priorities have to change. 

Week One: Kitchen organizion: countertops and sink

These are before pictures.  It makes me realize I need to decorate too.  Is there a decorate challenge for next year after it is all organized?  I should look into that or maybe I can make a list for next year.  I need curtains, candles, art, towels, etc.  I also keep forgetting about the broken drawer and the plug that doesn't work.  Will add some sink pictures next time too.  

Passover is Being...Passed over?

I wanted to celebrate Passover this year.  But was blocked by the fact that the store I shop at regularly did not carry the specific Passover things I wanted- matzo or matzo ball soup or the bottled grape juice.  Any way I was disappointed.  Tomorrow the plan is to call around before I go searching endlessly because after such fruitlessness I just got tired.

I love Passover Seder.  I am not Jewish but I love celebrating it for the Christian symbols.  I just don't know how you can NOT see Christ in the Passover.  We have celebrated at our church from time to time, but it had not been planned this year so I was hoping to have at least a meal and the Seder plate prepared.  My husband will probably think I am little cooky if I start bringing out the Haggaid and start singing Dayeinu plus my kids are so young I don't know how much of an actual Passover Seder they could sit through.  Ahh...wishful thinking...

Started the 52 Week Challenge to Organize the Home...I am super excited!!!!!  This week is organize the kitchen counter tops which I have a new idea about what to do with all the tons of cereal we have plus maybe I will remember to tell the maintenance at church to look at a plug that doesn't work.  Pictures?  I hope so.

Well- How to Start...Again

I was away for awhile for a couple of reasons.  I don't have the time to make a unique blog layout  because I don't know html.  I am just not THAT cool.  But since I finally found one I like.  It may be a lame-o reason but I just could not get motivated until it looked like something I could care about.  I like the three flowers on this layout because it represents my three beautiful daughters and the main topic of this blog will be about my family. 

I am not very unique.  I copy from my much more creative friends and random others.  Well I don't straight up copy but it can be much harder for me to focus than I would like.  What got me back on to blogging are two of my blogging mamas I admire who keep things simple and uncomplicated (at least they seem to try to, right? right?)- Aboundantly Blessed and Pookaville  They have really blessed me and challenge me.  They make me look like a lazy slob, but a slob saved by the grace of the Almighty God. 

This time I will try to keep updating more frequently and cleaning up links and side bars and columns etc...  Maybe I can bless someone, maybe this is just for me...it doesn't matter too much as long as I type.  Oh!  One last thing that keeps me from blogging regularly.  My husband loves the computer or at least watching TV on the computer until the wee hours of the morning so during times that would be ideal for typing thoughts ie when kids are sleeping my husband is using the only computer we have.  I am blessed to have an amazing husband with an awesome job and great house so I am not going to judge him for what he chooses to do with the computer or his time so, please, don't you either- thank you.