An In-depth Look

I feel a bit like I've lost my mind (or at least the bit that remembers the little things and does them in a timely manner). That being said, I am so sorry to my friends at Kregel publishing for my lack of blogging about a wonderful resource on time. Thank you for your grace during the move and all that it entails to set up a home and a new routine.

I was sent to read and review, Reading Revelation by C. Martin Pate. It could not have come at a more perfect time as I am currently in a group of women working through Here and Now: There and Then a study in the book of Revelation by Beth Moore (and you know how I adore her!!)

Maybe it's just me but Revelation is a confusing book. There are so many illustrations and visions and letters and lessons and prophecies and visions and discussions of such crazy things that at times my head is spinning and I'd rather go back to something more peaceful and understandable. And I can honestly say, in all my times of reading and studying the bible, I have never fully studied the book. (see above explanation of complications!) Beth Moore (in her amazing way of teaching) has been breaking it down bit by bit and explaining it in historical as well as biblical context. Ironically (although not a surprise as God always has a plan) I received C. Martin Pate's book. I didn't know what to expect. Upon opening, I was surprised by the easy five column layout. It presents side by side comparisons of the four approaches commonly taken in interpreting this book: past, historical, future and spiritual. And the fifth column is the literal word-for-word translation.

This book has been a great reference resource as I study this book. It would be an intriguing look even if you weren't studying the book. I truly appreciate the clear, simple presentation (as I was not looking forward to digging into a heady complication of a topic so heady and complicated.) and I am impressed with the time spent in compiling such a resource.

Thanks Kregel for another great opportunity to review another amazing book. (please don't kick me off the island for my slip in timing!!)

A Quiet Monday Daybook

Outside my window... 
Sunshine. And it's a beautiful sight. We had lots of dark skies and white stuff then lots of rain and it's been a bit dreary out. What a breath of fresh air!!

I am thankful for...
Wonderful kids. We had a 9 day weekend with all the snow and ice. And it was fabulous. The girls were great listeners, played well together, made us laugh constantly and helped the time pass is such a great way. (I think the title of the Daybook would have been quite different if they were less than lovely.)

I am thinking about...
Not a lot . . . it's incredibly peaceful to be sitting in a cozy quiet home. I love having the kids home and had such a hard adjustment when they both started school this year but as I get into a routine on the days Haley has kindergarten, I look forward to the time of productivity and contemplation and coffee.

Learning all the time...
That I need to think through decisions a bit more before saying yes. I tend to say yes because "there's no reason not to" . . . sometimes the reason not to is that I don't need to say yes. And I'm learning that's ok. Sometimes we have to say no to good things so we can say yes to great things. There are only so many hours in the day. 

From the kitchen...
Empty cupboards and freezer and fridge. We got very creative with meals during the winter lock in and I need to go to the store. I just don't feel like leaving my cozy home while it's so quiet right now. Why battle everyone else at the store who are also out of supplies? There must be some Costco chicken in the freezer still. That bag lasts forever. I love you Costco!

I am creating . . .
My list of books read in 2012. It's a clean page of possibilities.

I am working on...
Unpacking the non-essential boxes now. Most everything has been unpacked and put away and the rest is organized in the garage (the craft/scrapbook supplies, kids overflow toys and games etc.) and I'm ready to start tackling them. A couple weeks ago I hit my limit. The tipping point ironically came when I was carrying and putting away the groceries for the week. I slammed down one of the bags (that didn't include the eggs) and said, "I'm officially tired of carrying things . . . I'm done!!" (which of course didn't last longer than a second as I had to finish putting away the groceries but you get the point. A hiatus from boxes was needed)

I am going...
To visit a friend in need of a visit today.

I am hoping...
To continue having people over to our new home for family dinners and play dates. The inaugural hosting came in the form of a gaggle of women whom I adore and who I always look forward to spending time with. We laughed, had hors d'oeuvres, drank some wine, laughed some more and it was so fun to show them around. Since then, we've had our favorite family over to watch a football game, eat pizza and watch the kids run around, up and down loving the extra space we now have. It has been amazing getting to share this incredible blessing with those around us.

I am reading...
Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Magician's Assistant by C.S. Lewis (the first in the Narnia series) with Hannah
The Jesus Storybook by Sally Lloyd-Jones with Haley
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne with the whole Marsh clan (we started during the snow days and are looking forward to finishing it with many more snugly nights together)

I am praying for...
The right words to say in situations that present themselves each day. My favorite parenting book of all time is called Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage. In the book she talks about the "ministry of availability" which is one of the incredible opportunities as a stay at home mom. I am so thankful for the amazing relationships and doors that open because I'm home. I pray that I use each of these in the way that God intends.
 
I am hearing...
Quiet. And it's a precious peaceful quiet . . . not a lonely quiet. 

Around the house...
Organization and tidiness. It's amazing how much I can get done in such a short time when there are little hands pulling everything out that I just put away. Don't get me wrong - the point of having a house is to live in it but it feels good to look around and see things in there places. (And thanks to a great friend who let me borrow her vacuum - mine is broken - the floors are free of all the leaves and pine cones and dirt that got brought in on snow boots this week)

One of my favorite things...
Encouraging music. It puts me in an amazing mood, makes housework so much more pleasant and sets my mind on the right track to serve my family well.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The before and after of Hannah's bed . . . and you'd never believe it but I found it at a thrift store for $15!!! An inexpensive can of paint and what do you know? A beautiful bed suited for a beautiful little girl.

SNOW

We have SNOW . . . lots and lots of SNOW!! 8 1/2 inches to be exact. The kids (and dad) have had the last two days off and tomorrow's school has already been canceled. We have been having a great time playing games, watching movies and of course, playing in the snow. Yesterday we built a snowman and a snow fort which, of course, spawned a giant snow ball fight. (Got the idea from a friend to fill a cooler with tightly packed snow to make bricks) and today it was sledding. I'm sure this must be frustrating for some people to be stuck inside or are tired of the white stuff outside but WE ARE LOVING IT!! Bring it on!

I'm so thankful for such a fun surprise vacation . . . and there is something so blasted cute about my kids in snow suits!!

A Rainy Saturday Daybook

Outside my window...
Wet, wet and more wet. We had some snowy rain (of which the girls were debating whether to call it swain or row) and we were hoping for some sticking on the ground. Not yet - the weather man says maybe tomorrow . . . or the next day . . . or some other day . . .

I am thankful for...
Friends that make you laugh so hard your face hurts the next day. Then they start your day off with a smile by sending a text saying how much their face hurts from laughing so hard the day before. You know who you are . . . I'm thankful for you.

I am thinking about...
Chore charts. I don't require the girls to do enough around here to help. They are plenty old enough to take care of some things around the house. If I do my job well as a mom, I will eventually work myself out of a job. (at least the dishes and laundry . . . someday?!)

Learning all the time...
That I take on to much and wear myself out to the point of exhaustion. This is not a new revelation. But for some reason I never get the point . . . or when I do, it doesn't last very long. Why do I have to fall on my tush again to remind myself? A nap is in my future. I'm exhausted.

From the kitchen...
Homemade bread. I got a bread maker for Christmas. I feel like such an amazing house wife when I serve my family fresh homemade bread. (Don't tell them I just poured in a box and pushed a button ok?!)


I am creating . . .
A blanket. I realized it's been a long time since I've sat down and crocheted. I love doing it, it's relaxing and the finished product is quite fun.


I am working on...
The 2012 calendar. There's something rewarding to me to fill in the new boxes with our family's activities (must be the type A ocd list making side of me?!). I got a new calendar that has a meal planner, grocery list and to do list attached. It's wonderful. I wish I would have invented it.

I am going...
To take a nap. Enough said.

I am hoping...
That we have a wonderful long weekend as a family. Tonight it's nachos for dinner and a family game. I love these people I get to live with!!

I am reading...
Love that Multiplies by The Duggars. I know they are a bit controversial. People love them or hate them. People agree with them or think they are crazy. I happen to love them and am amazed by the way their family works together, loves eachother and stands by their convictions. Having 19 kids is not for me . . . but I greatly admire the principles they are raising their children with and learn something new each time I watch them. I'm also starting the Narnia series with Hannah. It's been a while since we've sat down and read a chapter book together. I miss the snuggling time and the connection a good story can make.

I am praying for...
My dear sweet friend Meaghan. On her way down the stairs to do laundry, she fell and broke her ankle. And when I say broke her ankle, I mean really broke her ankle. The ER doctors said this kind of break is usually only seen in major car accidents. She's already had two surgeries and will be laid up for a loooong time. Moral of the story: Don't do your laundry!!
 
I am hearing...
The washer and dryer. I am backed up with laundry as all my spare seconds have been spent on setting up our new home. I guess we need clothes. Wait!! Reference Meaghan's story above. I am not ever doing laundry again. Sorry family.

Around the house...
It feels wonderful. I sooo love our new home. I can't say it enough. God is so good. Our furniture is in place. The walls are painted. Family pictures are hanging on the walls. We are home. And it feels incredible.

One of my favorite things...
My new Keurig coffee machine. My hubby surprised me with this incredible invention for my birthday. I can't get enough of it. I want to make 5 cups of coffee a day just because I love it so much. We even found hot chocolate, apple cider and green tea. It's so fun!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Hannah started basketball again and we've been having so much fun cheering at the games. Haley took some pictures with  my phone today. Go Hot Tamales!! 

House Projects . . . post one . . .

Alright . . . this is bound to be a lengthy multi-posting adventure. I don't even know where to start . . . or where to stop . . . so here it goes.

We had been living in the same home for 5 years and had planned on moving at that point . . . and then life happened . . . and medical bills happened . . . and the market happened . . . and on and on and on. We looked at each other, or bills and shook our heads.

And then . . . God provided an incredible to-good-to-be-true opportunity for us to move.

I spent the first month anticipating the impending move going through each drawer and cupboard and closet and box getting rid of every last thing we didn't need (or could live without) . . . we are gonna have one smoking garage sale when the weather changes!! This process was long and tedious but made the actual packing of boxes so much easier.

Then came the boxes . . . lots of them.

We were plugging along . . . going crazy fast (anther long story for another time . . . but the keys were delayed six weeks due to some bank issues with the previous owners) The actual moving date happened fast and furious with one week notice!! Yahoo!!

December 19th, we took a break from the packing/moving crazy-ness to attend Travis' department Christmas party. We dropped the girls off with their Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Ryan. They were excited to spend time with their cousins and we were excited for some much needed date time with some fun adults. We were two blocks away from their home at a stop light discussing the best way to get to the highway when we were slammed into from behind by a 93 man who "didn't see us." It was a movie moment . . . and not in a good way. The police were called along with the aid cars to check for concussions or other serious injures. No one needed to go to the hospital but we both suffered severe whiplash, Travis strained his back (his entire seat broke in the crash) and I suffered severe cervical strain (the seat came and wapped the back of my head and it hurt like crazy). I have very limited range of motion and we both have lots of discomfort. Because Travis' seat broke, the car was declared un-drivable by the police officer so we got to wait a half an hour for triple A to come and tow us (thank the good Lord for triple A - thanks Dad for the yearly subscription!!) The tow truck driver was not used to the new vehicle he was driving so the first few stops and gos were NOT good for the necks!! Travis said (in his tone of sarcasm you really have to hear to appreciate) "No, no. We're fine. Just whiplash over here." Made me laugh and forget about the searing pain in my neck. To make a long story even longer, we got to spend our date night getting x-rays and icing our aching bodies . . . not the fun we'd pictured. We now have a million phone calls, insurance adjusters, claim forms to fill out, appointments with doctors, massage therapists (not as fun as it sounds when you hurt) and chiropractors.

And yet . . . the Marsh's don't quit. The move must go on. On the 20th, we finally got the keys!! It was an incredible moment when we stood in the living room and prayed a prayer of gratefulness, joy, and dedication of this home to God's glory.

The girls were more than a little excited to run around and explore the space that would be there own in just a few short days. (and please note the beautiful wallpaper on Hannah's wall and gorgeous golf themed wallpaper border in the girls bathroom . . . and please note the sarcasm)

I have some great, hardworking friends who jumped at the challenge and said, "Crazy wallpaper? Two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen to paint? Two days to do it? Bring it on!"

Haley even jumped in to help one day . . .

It was the craziest, busiest two days (also including a visit from a carpet cleaner, house cleaner (they had three cats - not conducive for the allergies/asthma), carpenter (to patch a crawl space in the master bedroom) and electrician (to replace the gorgeous (again with the sarcasm) 1990's track lighting with a beautiful new chandelier). . .

 
And before you knew it, in about five hours (with the help of 7 strong guys, a moving truck, four Costco pizzas, and my friend Melissa helping me direct traffic and furniture at the new house) everything was moved

And you should have seen the effort put in by the swing set crew!! Our dear friend Dick came early that morning to disassemble it, take down a portion of our old fence, load it into his trailer, put back together the fence then haul it to the new house. (It still has to be reassembled but we have some time before the weather turns. The backyard is so ginormous - I can't wait for them to run and play!)

It was starting to look like a home . . . there was furniture (although our bed didn't get set up for another day - we were so blasted tired we slept on the floor!) The girls came home, were thrilled to see their rooms and equally excited to celebrate Christmas the next morning in our new home. We had a lovely Christmas. It was a breath of fresh air to stop the motion for 24 hours. We snuggled and read the bible story of Jesus' birth and drank cocoa with candy canes and enjoyed Santa's special delivery . . . an X-Box Kinetc . . . the most fun invention I have ever seen. The elves have really outdone themselves this year!!! (Santa may have waited in a ridiculously long line at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving to save $300 on this great new toy . . . Santa may have cut his leg while crazy customers pushed their way through . . . but Santa was a hero on Christmas morning . . . and oh - the gift of family fun and adventures and memories for years to come . . .)

And then the whirlwind continued . . . cable guy, ADT security guy, painter guy to paint walls and ceilings in living room, dining room, and family room . . .

 And even a stove and fridge delivery from Lowes . . .

And the continual stream of boxes as we attemtped to locate and set up our stuff . . .

And as I look at this cursor anticipating more words . . . and re-read this post that I've been working on for two days (as I am continually distracted with more boxes, more coats of paint, more jobs, and more organizing) . . . I am at a loss . . . I think I must end here. To be continued . . .

And if you see her, can you please tell the unpacking/laundry/dishes/cooking/cleaning/painting/child-raising fairy that I need her help over here? She may not know where I've moved to . . . but please tell her to hurry!!