Wednesday, January 25, 2012

a little bleach and a lot of mercy.

Mercy is needed when you feel like crap.
Given and received.
Given to the husband as he cares for both little ones.
Received when said little ones are driving him nuts and you can't help because your head is in a toilet.
This week greeted us with the stomach flu. There's nothing worse than when one of your babies is sick. Except when you're sick too. Then it REALLY stinks. Thank goodness for a caring husband and a quick turnaround time. The flu was in and out in 24 hours, leaving me with the task of disinfecting our entire house in hopes that the husband and the littlest one could escape the awfulness that was mine and Logan's life for a short while(oh, but when you're in it it seems like an endless hell, doesn't it?)
So thank goodness for bleach. and thank the Lord for His mercy. That its new every morning is a much added plus, because I'm pretty sure I'd have run out of my allotment a long time ago it was rationed and never refilled.

Lamentations 3:22-24, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, therefore I will hope in Him.”

The sun came out today and we took to the streets in our neighborhood with the little ones for much needed fresh air.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

fighting for joy.

Today has been a rainy lazy Saturday...we needed it. Time to wind down and just rest. A good day for tea and books and yoga pants.

Its only the middle of January and already I feel like this year is flying by. I can't believe Ali is 6 months and Logan is 2 1/2....how did I become this mother of two? Seems only yesterday I thought, yeah, lets have a baby. But God has been so good. The parenting struggles have been rough lately but He's here helping me in them and through them. Its been a fight for joy. Even on days like these when the joy seems so within reach, its so easily lost when I lose sight of what's important and give in to my impatience and need for control. Thank God for His mercy.

I'm continuing to fight for joy in this home. In this season of life. I know there is much joy to be had, even in the ugly and frustrating.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

6 months and a trip to the salon.



My little girl got her first haircut today.



She let them wash and cut it and fuss over her, no complaints:)


She's used to getting a blow out.

The mullet is gone.


Yes, I could have left her hair and just let her be. But where's the fun in that? If she's anything like me she'll understand that.





Monday, January 16, 2012

Go potty go!


They shout over and over (all the potty animals, that is) "Go potty go!" We have high hopes that this annoying video will inspire Logan as we begin the arduous process of potty training.

Oh potty training. Many of you have walked in my shoes and know the process. Just another way for God to teach me patience with my little ones, as I say a million times a day, "gotta go potty??" And rejoice every time I see pee in a toilet and don't have to clean poop out of underwear:)
I better run and ask him again now:)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Trying to listen.

This last month has brought on an onslaught of emotion, wondering if we're moving or staying and we why moved in the first place and what the purpose was or still is in us being here. God has been so good in providing us with incredible community, a place to plant our feet and call home. Friends that love us like family-true, good, honest friendships. There are so many things we love about here...reasons to stay that seem to make sense. We have some big decisions ahead of us and are praying for clarity, but its hard. Hard to trust and wait. Trying to listen and be assured that He sees it all and knows it all, but lately I'm having a hard time knowing that deep in my heart. The words of this song seem all too appropriate for now.

Hello Lord, it's me your child
I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing
But right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

And somewhere in the back of my mind
I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine
Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you

Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I think you're whispering


By the by, Alice is 6 months old today. Man, does it go fast......

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Hugged and reminded.



Logan is a lover. This kid has a constant need for hugs, kisses, physical contact. I LOVE this about him and it causes me to slow down and enjoy him when I would otherwise hurry through whatever activity it is we're in at the moment(still working on being less haste-full:).

Logan doesn't know a stranger, and at this stage in his life I'm okay with that. He hugs everyone and expects hugs in return. There is no insecurity, no wondering if he's loved or cared about. He often runs full force into his mom or dad's arms, knowing he'll be embraced. In his world everyone loves everyone and shouldn't have a problem showing it.

Kids have that amazing way of teaching us things about life and God that we often forget we know. I know the truth of God's word and what it says, but I often forget to apply it in the everyday. I know He loves me and will hold me always, but I admit I don't run into His arms nearly enough, I don't rest in the security and assurance of what I know.

So thankful for this little one He's given me to manage to remind me there are arms to always embrace me anytime I want.


Friday, January 6, 2012

Alice and her hair.

Alice's hair has been the topic of much discussion since her birth. Various comments included the following:
-wow that kid's got a lot of hair! (no kidding)
-you must have had horrible heartburn! (actually, yes)
-you should cut it-(seriously?)
-it looks like she stuck her finger in a light socket! (again, no kidding:)

Well it looks like the beast that is Ali's hair has finally decided to lay down and rest a bit...she's gone from deranged and shocked to subdued, flat, and a bit....shall we say toupe-ish?










Thursday, January 5, 2012

yogurt haste equals yogurt waste.

We all know that things done in haste usually result in disaster. Remember that saying 'haste makes waste?' Having been one usually known to be in a hurry, you'd think I would have learned to slow down by now, but this seems to be a lesson I keep re-learning. again and again.

Logan loves yogurt. So does Kurt. So do I. Seems to be the thing we always have to have in the house when yet another food battle is lost and we need the kid to just eat SOMETHING. Today I was in a hurry, like I too often am. Grabbed the little one and Lorelei and ran out the door to get groceries while Logan was at a preschool(oh preschool, how I do love thee). Now we all know how much food costs have gone up lately and how hard it is to keep the grocery budget in check. So as I braved the aisles with the cart already pretty full due to my little ones, facing off with the other shoppers as I tried to see over the car seat to push the cart, I was diligent about what went in the basket. Only the necessities. which of course included the big tub of yogurt. We were in and out in less than 20 minutes, (thanks to my haste:) and as I threw the kids in the car and loaded up the trunk as quick as I could, it happened. The yogurt fell. Out of the trunk and onto my feet and car and all over the ground. For a second, being the frugal person I am, I thought-do I try to save it? I decided this wasn't necessary and that 2.99 would just have to be lost and it would be okay and we'd survive without it at home. I stood there and smiled-this has been one of those days where I've remembered to be thankful. So thankful I can even get groceries and have food for our family.
Now to just slow down and be less...hasteful? is that a word?