Today was a good day.

I feel accomplished today.

I am trying to revel in this feeling because I don't often feel this way at the end of a day.

I woke up late this morning (not a good start usually), but got the kids fed, dressed, and went outside to work on my front garden, which honestly looked like it was from an abandoned house. K-bear stayed in the playpen (I couldn't trust her to sit still, and definitely not to leave the twigs and leaves alone and not eat them). Bean played "balance", by walking back and forth along my bricks that are the separation between the lawn and the garden. She also helped by bringing her little garden tools and digging along with me.

Then, after I got the entire garden done, we came inside, had lunch, kids went down for a nap, and I got some (like an hour) quiet time.

I got the girls up from their nap, dressed, and then headed down the street to see our new friends whom apparantly we've lived here for five years, but haven't interacted with them! She has two kids, her little girl is three (same age as Bean), and her boy is 7 months. Also, I shouldn't be surprised, because I know the Lord knows what we need, but they are Christians! It's so exciting to have someone who lives so close to us, and can be an encouragement to me, and safe place for my kiddos to go.

Then, my brother and I fixed the downstairs sink so that now our company can use it. I ate supper, talked to my Grandma G, and then skyped with my Grandma C... put the kids to bed, and now am visiting with our friends, and watching Biggest Loser! I am so tired, but I am so thankful that the feeling of accomplishment is so wonderful :)

Countdown that I don't want to happen: 32 days

The title has to do with the amount of days left of my best and dearest friend moving with her little family down to Australia.

I am trying to cram memories into these next few weeks, that will hopefully leave us with enough fun and positive memories that they can be like mini "hugs" when we think about them to get through the painful separation and rest of our lives being long distance.

Every time I think about possible next babies, heartaches, happiness, and all the in between and Amy being across the world, I nearly give up and just curl up into a ball and cry (determined to last for the rest of my life)... but, we will make the long distance work! We WILL be one of those friendships that grow strong even with oceans between us.

We are very blessed to live in the time of such technology that we can actually video chat! When we do have exciting news we don't have to wait for snail mail to get it to eachother over months and never be able to see eachother face to face.

I've also told my husband that 5 years is about long enough to save up to go to Australia for a visit... even that long makes me cringe, but I have to be honest with kids and a house that will probably be the time frame...

Oh boy, I am getting sad writing this, so I am going to break for today.

A New Direction

Well, my best friend is moving across the world, and I've decided to get more serious about this blogging thing to help us keep up to date and in touch.

It's interesting because I always seem to have the same goals... Wake up earlier, go to bed earlier, do my devotions more frequently, keep up on things that I need to do.

I did accomplish school with Bryna today! We did a few exercises about the letter Z, and played some games on pbskids.org. Then after lunch I put Kaylen down for her nap, and Bryna and I worked out with Jillian Michaels doing the 30 day shred.

I am working on my schedule. Trying to make my days more purposeful, and accomplish the things I keep rewriting on my to-do list... trying to switch them to my "done" list.

Anywho, I will update more later.

Surviving, but not Thriving

We've been dealing with a lot of sickness in our house lately. First we had a bought of the stomach bug, and then we got colds all around. My sweet daughter Kaylen is not handling sickness as well as the rest of us, and struggles to remain her normally happy self.

I've been staying up too late (hence the 12:30 post), and then getting up late and tired...

My devotions have been suffering too, as I'm usually so sleepy while I am doing them, that not a lot sinks in. I've been reading Elizabeth George's "A Woman's Call to Prayer". I just read the chapter on "order", and how women do not excel in what we are called for if we are rushed and harried. I felt very convicted, because we always seem to be rushing to the next thing. I realized that if I pray and sincerly listen for the answer, God helps finger what should be our focus and that will narrow down my commitments and help me focus more on the things the Lord has planned for me.

My new goal for this next week is to wake up early (like 7 am), get my devotions done first, and maybe a shower before my kidlets wake up... maybe exercise too (lofty dreams). Then be more purposed throughout my day. I find mornings I am not up early and focussed are the days I let fall to watching too many HGTV shows.

I have two costumes to sew before Sunday for the kids Christmas program, and lots and lots of curtains and pillows to sew for my house, as well as knitting 4-5 baby blankets... never a dull moment in this house!

So, tomorrow will be day 1 of my focus to Thrive. Also, my second bought with the 17 day diet (back from the beginning).

To Homeschool or not to Homeschool... that is the question

So, I've been thinking about schooling since I found out we would be having a little peanut joining us in 8.5 months... back when Bryna was that peanut.

I've been leaning toward homeschooling, and so desperately want to do what the Lord wants me to do, and what is right for my kiddos. I met with two homeschool moms that I know, and had the most wonderfully encouraging visit with them. They shared things that work and don't work, cirriculum they enjoy, and don't enjoy, and many many many book titles, and ideas.

I walked away with my head swimming, but a spring in my step. I really feel like the Lord is putting a joy in my heart toward teaching my kids... and I'm really excited to see where this takes us. As for the final decision... I don't have to know for a couple more years, but even preschooling is something I'm enjoying right now at home!

Changed Plans

I am someone who often is late. But, I don't enjoy being late. In fact, when I only have to get myself ready, I am rarely late... often I am early.

Lateness is one of the joys of motherhood, marriage, and just relationships in general. I'm not using it as an excuse (even though it sounds like that). My husband who is not really concerned with getting anyone else ready leaves just enough time for getting himself ready (I'm not meaning to make this sound like complaining... just stating a fact about this), my two kids can't get themselves ready yet, and I am still adjusting to getting three and a half people ready to get out the door.

Lateness today meant missing out on some plans with my closest friend. I hate days like that. We were late for church, late for lunch after church, late to meet my brother, and finally late to my plans with my friend.

Lateness is one of my faults that I want to focus on. I really believe that it ruins plans, days, and even happy feelings.

I know this is not a verse specifically about lateness. I think it speaks to me in this situation. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Contentment

I love Christmas! I put my tree up (sans decorations at this point), some wreaths, stockings... I feel so happy! I don't know what it is about this season but it just puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

I think part of the happiness for me comes from it being when Jesus was born, family get togethers are a must, and pretty shiny decorations and sparkly lights and candles are everywhere!

I really enjoy sharing the joys with my 2 year old too. She is so excited about everything - snow, stockings, the tree... it's like seeing it all with fresh eyes.