Wonderfully Made

This week was Vacation Bible School week at our church. It was so much fun getting to serve and help out during the festivities. And a little surreal having my own little buckaroo participate in the event. I had so much fun dressing my little princesses in theme as much as possible, so they would look right in place at the Saddle Ridge Ranch. Even more fun, was over-hearing the older Princess in the room next door..just singin' her little heart out! (Well, and bossing some of her younger play-mates around, but that part was not quite as much fun.) One of the new songs she learned this week says "I am wonderfully made." Who knows what the rest of the lines are, because that's the only line that girl has been singing the past two days.

We talk a lot about the things God has made and how God made us, and how He loves us. Among other things of course, we want the older Princess to have a grasp on God and we want Him to be a very real part in her life.

It just overjoys my heart to hear this beautiful, wonderfully made little thing say "I am wonderfully made" and to know Who made her.

Isn't it funny that I have to remind myself of that fact, after knowing that truth for a very long time? I know God is the Creator. He created this precious, precious gift He has given us. He created her to be inquisitive and insightful, and maybe even a tad bit bossy. He has orchestrated her every little part, every little facet of her existence. As a mother, it is my job to help her use these characteristics for Gods glory. Not that I should try to "break her" of these maybe less redeeming qualities, but maybe harness them and give them the proper outlet.

** And this little thing shouldn't be forgotten either.

She has been wonderfully made, just like her Big Sister.

Perspective

Today, I woke up late, my car wouldn't start and it was about a million degrees hot outside. I called my husband in a panic, as I normally do when things aren't going right. Knowing full well he was halfway across the other side of town and couldn't physically do a thing to help me in my predicament. Being the Amazing Mister he is, he calmed me down and provided me a solution. Ten minutes later my wonderful sister-in-law was at my house. And another fifteen minutes later, the little princesses were at her house and I was on my way to work in a borrowed ride.

When I got to work, a sweet co-worker had a cup of McDonalds coffee waiting for me. (That stuff is like manna from the Good Lord!) She thought I might need a little pick-me-up after my somewhat rough start.

I could have very easily given in to my defeatus attitude and let this rough start ruin my day. Instead, I chose to praise God for the mini-blessings in this situation. Because my car wouldn't start, I had an extra 20 minutes to soak in my girls' cheery morning attitudes. We had a few giggles and little smiles waiting on my sister-in-law. On my way in to work, I had glorious, frigid air conditioning blowing in my face. And of course, once I made it in.. I had a little caffeine boost waiting on me.

How do you let things that happen effect you?

My dad passed away almost four years ago. He was a rock, a constant in my life. I loved my Dad and I cherish the memories I have of him. The good and the bad. To see him so sickly for a few years was tough. When it was time for Dad to go and meet his Maker, it was REALLY time. God, in his gracious mercy did not let my Dad suffer very long. It was a matter of mere days before he passed. I've heard of many people being in hospice care for weeks or even months. But Dad was only in hospice care for 3 days!

I can tell you, God is always Good! He is sovereign. He is the same. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. He does not change like the passing wind. His hand is on EVERYTHING. No matter what is going on in your life, or around you. He is there. In the midst of chaos, in the midst of loosing a dear loved one... He is THERE. He is control.

You might just need to change your perspective slightly to see Him and how He is working.

One of those Moms

I just have to say.... I think my girls are the cutest kids in the whole-wide-world!

Season

I have to admit; I'm not very patient. If it were for my husband's fierce determination, I might never be surprised with any gifts at all. With all my prodding and nagging, he's never caved once to let me know what he has bought me for this occasion or that.



And I'm not just impatient with surprises or gifts. I'm impatient with lots of things.



In a certain previous post, I mentioned how certain things have been on my prayer list for a very long time. And some things will be on my prayer list until I take my final breath. But just because I've been praying over these things this long, doesn't necessarily mean I am patiently awaiting the outcome.



God is doing a great thing and preparing our family for me to be a stay at home mommy. But I want to stay home NOW! (Well, God is doing many great things.....)



I'm a dreamer, a thinker, a fantasizer. Its *almost* like I live half in the real world, and half in my own little dream world- thinking up different scenarios and playing those scenarios out into these vivid storylines. So, while I am supposed to be awaiting on my King's sovereign timing, I get all wrapped up in what is to come.



And with the "what is to come" comes a whole new set of dreams. There are many "things" I can't wait to get my hands into once I am able to get my hands into once I'm a stay at home mommy.



But for now, I'm a workin' Momma.

Free Stuff?

SURE!!!

We've become somewhat healthier around our house. No, we aren't super fit health guru's. But we've made changes here and there to become healthier.

I've tasted the FOOD SHOULD TASTE GOOD chips. They are super yummy, and I can't wait to try more varieties.

My bloggy and real life friend, Lauren, is giving away a free bag of these bad boys!

I hope I win!! I hope I win!!

http://www.teamgiles.com/2010/05/food-should-taste-good-giveaway/

Transparent

: adjective, able to be seen through with clarity.

There are so many things to say about parenthood, and raising children in general. It's exciting, fun, exhilarating, frustrating, painful, embarrassing, hilarious, tragic, exhausting, rewarding, humbling.... Need I go on?

I think one of the most surprising things about parenthood for me is how it has awoken this Holy fear within me. No, not shaking in my boots with fright. But a reverent, awe-filled wonderment of the Creator.

In some book I read at some point it talked about how we are to be Christ to our kids. No, not sacrificing our own lives to save theirs, paving a way to have relationship with God. Rather, show our children the love of Christ by example. Your kids will look up to you as an example in how to handle things, how to live life, how to glorify God. They will look to you to see what it is to love Christ.

When I realized this, I took a long, hard look at myself. How am I showing the love of Christ to my girl? How am I not showing the love of Christ to my girl? Before motherhood, I strived to lead a life pleasing and glorifying God. But, now, as a mother, its intensified all the more.

Not only is this desire to glorfiy God intensified, but its almost like all of my shortcomings or faults have been magnified times ten in front of me.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with impatience? Just listen to the tone in my precious two year old's voice. Is she somewhat growling and maybe even talking through clenched teeth? Oh, why yes she is.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with laziness? Just look at my couch where we might just be sitting, watching TV for the umpteenth hour.

Would you like to know when I'm dealing with fright (mainly, the dark)? Just listen to the little toddler who is terrified to be in her own room; alone.

It's as if she is displaying all of my non-terrific qualities for the whole world to see. (As if I weren't doing that already?) Not only the whole world, but those qualities are on full display for me too.

Being a mother has left me transparent.

Thirty doll-hairs

No. Not really. More like $30.

Our family can do lots of things with $30.

• Enjoy a nice movie at the theater with all the snacks you could ever want.
  
• Sponsor a child in a foreign country
  
• Almost "fill up" our car
  
• Splurge on a modest meal out

Or I can buy all of this loot for $30!

(Well, minus the canister set and stowaway cookbook in the back.)

You see, I'm quite addicted to saving money. The thrill of getting the most for my buck is quite exhilirating!

I've clipped coupons in the past, and became a little more avid about it recently. And even more recently I've gone to several stores to catch the best sales on certain items and combined my coupons with those sales.

And VOILA! There you have it!

Tomorrow, I plan to hit up one more store. I plan to leave that store with about 5 items.. spending a whopping total of maybe $1-$2!! (Without a sale or coupons, I would probably pay close to $8-$10 for the same items!)

Roll over, roll over

The sweetest, littlest Princess has rolled over once, and only once.

Ahem, she likes to do things on her own timing and will not be coerced to do otherwise.

A New Chapter

The Amazing Mister and I love to reminisce about the "good 'ol days." (Even though, quite frankly, we are still in the "good 'ol days" and they just seem to keep getting better and better.) We often talk about how we got to where we are now, and how we can't imagine our lives any different than it is now. However, if you were to ask us 10 years ago what our lives would be like now, I don't think we would have been able to come up with anything close to what its like.

There have been many twists and turns down this little path we walk and live by. Some have been a little heartbreaking; others have brought indescribable joy.

For the past three years, I have been praying fervantly for God to provide a way for me to stay home with our Precious little Princesses.

For the past five years, I have been praying for strength for my Amazing Mr. to continue on with school.

For the past five years, I have prayed for strength and grace for myself as he has pursued his degree.

And for as long as I have been romantically involved with my Amazing Mr., we have been praying for God to lead us in His sovereign grace. That we would be receptive to whatever He has in store for us. (The death of a few close family members, the joys of new jobs and a new home, the sadness of broken relationships, the joy of two precious additions to our little family...)

I'm pretty sure there are some things that will be a life-long legacy of prayer. There are some things on my prayer-list that will be there until the day I meet my Wonderful Maker. (Lord, please help my girls to love You with an undying passion...) Then there are other things that I seem to have prayed for forever, and the Lord has always answered them in His own good timing (sometimes exactly the way I want Him to, other times..not so much.)

God has certainly been good to us, and granted my wonderful Husband the strength and endurance to get through school. The Amazing Mr. isn't quite done...but there is a strong light at the end of the tunnel! He will be enrolled in the Bachelor program at the begining of the Fall Semester! He will go one night a week for almost two years and will have his degree in Christian Counseling. (Lord help us through Seminary after that!!)

God has also been faithful and has opened the doors for the Amazing Mr. to serve as a youth minister in a nearby church. And not just any church... but the same church where we met, where our friendship grew into a romance, and where we were eventually married.

And I know God will be faithful in paving a way for me to be home with my girls, and hopefully SOON! I have seen His hand at work over the past three years in making this a reality- not just a dream.

So, this is where we are... two "newlyweds" chasing after Jesus, trying to show our precious daughters the love of Christ each day, lovin' on a bunch of teenagers, working our jobs to provide for our beautiful babies, loving life and loving each other!

Block Party

Last weekend, our church hosted a "block party" in a local neighborhood. It was SO much fun! We loved hanging out as a family in the beautiful weather and getting to hang out with our new church family.

I like to use the excuse that Jade still needs "help" on the big slide so I can go down it too!

Sweet little Bella... always the trooper, just chillin' in her stroller!

Because. You. Can't. Ever. Get. Too. Much. of. The. Bouncy. Things.

Bless her heart, this is the closest she came to rolling down the hill. Poor thing just couldn't get the concept down!

Sisterly Love

Overheard while getting ready for our Good Friday service....

"Bella, I'm so glad you are out of Mommy's tummy. I love you SOOO much!"

Mommy plays hooky!

I received a call from my mother-in-law earlier in the week inviting me to go hang with the rest of the in-law gang. The plan was simple: get the whole crew together and enjoy a great day at the park. It took me all of two seconds to weight the options and come to the conclusion to take off work.

It was so worth it! I had a blast being with my girls all day long and soaking up the glorious sunshine! Our day started bright and early. After getting ready in record time, we headed out to WalMart to stock up on a few things needed for the day. But first, I spoiled my Big Princess with donut holes. After WalMart we headed to the in-laws to meet up with everyone else. And another hour and a half later we reached our destination: Washington on The Brazos!

We had so much fun picnic'ing, walking, playing, sliding, and taking lots of pictures! All in all, it was a pretty awesome day! (Aside from the Big Princess being exhausted out of her mind and throwing about 30 fits. Then the Good Lord blessed us with giving the girl a 2nd wind, and she was an absolute angel the rest of the day!)

Sweet Little Bella

This precious *little* thing has had all of us wrapped around her finger from the moment she was born. Jade just couldn't wait to come into the hospital room to meet her little sister, and has been at her side ever since. Always careful and nurturing, she deeply loves her sister.

I know not too long from now, there will be times I just might want to pull my hair out from the almost constant bickering. But for now, I absolutely love watching these two girls bond!

For now, there is no jealousy, just love.

For now, there is no yelling, just lots of smiles and giggles.

For now, there is no hitting, just lots of hugs and kisses.

Melt my heart and slap it on a biscuit; I LOVE these girls!

Jade-isms

I always say that Jade practically came out of the womb talking. Seems like from the time that girl was born, she's always had somethin' to say. And with time zooming by so fast, I like to try and hold onto the little things that make my Big Princess not so big.

Here are a few funny phrases the girl just can't seem to get right:

In English: Giddy up or Yee-Haw

In Jade: Giddy-haw

In English: Cheers!
In Jade: Cheers to cheers

In English: One last time or one more time

In Jade: Last more time

In English: I love you.

In Jade: Lush you.

Not exactly starting over...

But starting again, I guess?

It has been far too long since I have enjoyed one of my favorite "past-times." Hmm.. can blogging be a "past-time?" Is it still a "past-time" when you are currently enjoying said activity? I digress.

How can I possibly catch you up on the past 8-9 months? Uh, I don't think I can. So this is basically where we just kind of start where we are now, k?