A Little June Bug Turns One

Cupcakes frosted and decorated . . . candles lit . . . sing the song . . . happy 1st birthday little girl!!

And the joy continues . . .

We have now officially passed this yucky bug throughout this whole family. And yesterday was my turn for disappointment. A dear friend offered to watch the girls for us last night . . . Travis was coming home to make me a special dinner to celebrate valentines day (not usually a big deal around here - I love the random times of "i love you" so much more . . . but we were so excited to have this special date planned). Instead, I spent the entire day in bed with this wonderful sickness . . . and the homemade dinner? Ginger-ale from Winco. Be gone from our house flu!! You are no longer welcome here!!

Heartbreak

Haley woke up this morning at 12:30 throwing up with a terrible stomachache and a fever. She feels horrible. And it's never a good time to get the flu. But on the day of your first kindergarten concert that you've been eagerly anticipating for weeks, have chosen your party dress to wear six days ago, had both grandmas and an aunt coming from out of town, a special dinner planned at a restaurant and have been asking each day of the last week and a half if it's finally time. . . it's just flat heartbreak. And if you have to be the Momma to break the sad news that you aren't able to go, well that's just plain heartbreaking too.

Wisdom

I finished reading "The Magician's Assitant" by C.S. Lewis (the first in the Narnia series) with Hannah tonight. He is an incredible author that weaves a tale with descriptive images you can see, wit and humor that make you smile and depth in such an approachable way that it causes you to ponder quite a few things.

I was struck by a quote near the end of the story and I felt as if I must pass on his wisdom . . .

"When things go wrong, you'll find they usually go on getting worse for some time; but when things once start going right they often go on getting better and better."

I have gained so much perspective going on this crazy journey of health complications I've been on and have equally gained so much perspective on this path to healing and wellness. I am so thankful . . . to God be the glory . . . the things have gone on and on getting better and better . . .

The First Day Book in February

Outside my window... 
Sun, sun, glorious sun!! It looks and feels like summer out there! Not joking!!

I am thankful for...
My husband who values my role as an at-home mom as much as I do. I can't imagine what it's like to have to prepare the kids, the house, and the family each day as you head off to work. This is in no way a comparison of "my-jobs-better-than-yours" so please don't misunderstand this. I know plenty of wonderful women who work outside the home for many reasons and love their children and their families to bits. I'm just grateful for the job I get to do each day.

I am thinking about...
The chicken marinading in the fridge. We have friends who invite us for dinner occasionally and they always cook the most flavorful meat. Every time I ask what they've done, the secret is marinade the night before. So I did. And I'm excited for yummy stir fry tonight with marinaded meat!!

Learning all the time...
How to make my life run a bit smoother. There is no perfect plan and no guaranteed-tried-and-true-no-fail-method but I'm learning some tricks that make the little things easier so I have more time and attention for the big things. (Like planning my menu again . . . remember? That was a goal? I'm actually doing it. And not in a crazy-print-out-with-recipes-and-shopping-list-attached like I used to. Simply a list of meals we'd like to eat for the month and as I write the weekly calendar on our fridge wipe off board, I add a little note on the side as to what I'm going to cook. One glance the night before and I'm on track. Plus, it's stopped the 'what are we having' question from my eight year old EVERY DAY!! arrrgggg - minor frustration diverted.)

From the kitchen...
lots and lots and lots of supplies for a Superbowl extravaganza. The girls were asking me this week, "What is the super bowl?" I started to explain that it was a championship game for two football teams who have worked hard throughout the season to earn their spots blah blah blah. As I looked at their blank faces I changed my plan and said, "It's a super fun excuse to get together with great friends and eat a ton of yummy food!" Their eyes lit up and they are now looking forward to the day asking me often, "How soon until our friends come and we get to eat all this food?" (We're making deviled eggs, homemade meatballs in bbq sauce, stuffed mushrooms, smoked salmon with cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, chips, soda - we're going crazy and can't wait!)

I am creating . . .
A blanket for Hannah's window seat. She loooves her new room and the selling point from the beginning has been her cozy window seat that looks out over the beautiful scenery where she can nestle down with a good book and spend the day in bliss. My mom and I are making a fabric covered foam pad to sit on and I am crocheting a comfy blanket that is turning out quite fantastic if I do say so myself!!

I am working on...
Laundry. Does this job ever end? No. End of discussion.

I am going...
To spend the rest of the day doing nothing and everything with my girls. They have the day off of school for the semester break and the two little boys I usually get to love on each Friday are away at their aunts house so were are in our sweats. Just finished painting nails, having a Zumba dance party on Kinect, and after they play barbies for a while, planning on a tea party with real tea. Not everyday do I pull out all the Mommy stops but every once in a while it's fun to get down on the floor and play for the day.

I am hoping...
To exercise more. I now live in a gorgeous neighborhood with fantastic walking paths everywhere. My lungs are stronger, I have more energy and I'm ready to tackle the outdoors! (With caution of course.) My biggest goal is to walk the girls to school one day. There school is in our neighborhood. How wonderful is that? And save a few hills that just might kick my butt, it's a do-able trek. Baby steps . . .



I am reading...
Magazines . . . it's very rare that I flip through a magazine but am finding it a bit relaxing to pick up every once in a while, read a few articles and set it back down. A copy of Parents and Parenting were tossed my way (and I'm enjoying a good laugh and how far I've come from the new mommy days) and my favorite that I have a subscription to is called Home Life and it's put out by Lifeway ministries. They have encouraging and helpful articles about parenting, marriage, and great ideas about life in general. (Check out their website for a sample and even cute printables)

I am praying for...
Friends. I have so many wonderful women in my life. I couldn't be more blessed. Not a day goes by when I don't thank the Lord for bringing those into my life who make my life better. And there are so many prayers that go up for them - for healing, for peace, for courage, for strength, for diligence, for decision making, for faith, for time, for patience . . . and mostly for joy. (and lots more fun with me!!!)
   
I am hearing...
The girls giggling upstairs together as they play. There are lots and lots of moments when their interactions together are anything but loving . . . and there are lots and lots of moments when I smile hearing them crack each other up!

Around the house...
Evidence of mommy playing today. It's good . . . and messy.

One of my favorite things...
Good coffee creamer. Sounds silly but can make my day when I take a sip of that little cup of joy in the morning and it's sweet and yummy and milky looking as it's been splashed with the perfect creamer. (My favorite right now is Coffee House skinny caramel macchiato. 

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

Hee hee . . .

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!!)