Mother's Day 2014

There is nothing more special and more important in my life than my children, next to my husband, of course.  I love being a mother and I feel so blessed that God chose these particular two to be my kids.  It gets tough at times but even through those hard times I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  They are my everything. 

A few days leading up to Mother's Day my son told me that he and my husband were going to make me breakfast in bed.  I really didn't expect it, especially since my husband is still recovering from double hip surgery.  But that's exactly what happened.  They were both up early and surprised me with coffee, french toast with blueberries and a yogurt parfait.  It was delicious. 

I even did something I don't normally do.  I curled my hair and wore a dress.  My husband couldn't take his eyes off me all day.  He loves when I curl my hair.  It's a lot of work but I would rather it be curly than straight anyway.  Before heading for church my husband snapped a few pictures of me and our children.

The Associate Pastor gave an incredible Mother's Day sermon that I wish everyone in the world could have heard.  It was so beautiful.  Then after church we had a little picnic lunch in our backyard, laid my daughter down for a nap and then had a barbecue at my parents' house.  My dad insisted on doing everything so my mother and I wouldn't have to lift a finger.  He's so sweet. 

It was a great Mother's Day.  Probably the best so far.  I am blessed!  Truly, deeply blessed. 

I love being a mother! 

Season Opener 2014

One of the many joys of being a parent is watching your child as they play in a sport (or a dance recital, music recital, whatever.)  This is my son's second year in teeball and he's been doing a lot better this time around.  I'm so proud of him.

It's amazing to see how awesome he is at hitting the ball off that tee.  This particular shot went far and he rushed towards first base without anyone stopping him.

I miss seeing my husband out there as a coach and I know he misses it too.  He had to sit along the side with the rest of us parents and I know it was hard on him.  He wanted so badly to get onto that field and help the kids out.  I'd say maybe next year but our son has no intention of playing baseball again after this season.

And then there was our daughter having no interest in the game but enjoyed taking a walk, looking at the nearby horses and picking dandelions with good ol' grandpa.  Yes that's right, I said horses.  One of the houses had two horses in the backyard which was beside the field. 

I'm not sure what the score was at the end.  Was anyone even keeping score?  Oh yeah, it's teeball.  They don't care about that in teeball!  The kids had fun and that's all that matters.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 5/5/14

Hosted by Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom

As I look outside my window:

Beautiful sunny, breezy 55 degrees.  I love this spring weather.  We've had a lot of rain here but so far today its been clear skies.  

Right now I am:

Taking some time to relax while my daughter is napping, my son is in school and my husband is at work.  

Thinking and pondering:

Today is the first day since the end of March that my husband is back to work.  He had all that time off because of his double hip replacement surgery.  He's only working part-time (four hours) here and there until he's feeling better enough to start back up full-time again.  It is a blessing that he has a job and plenty of sick leave that allows him to take this much time off.  It's been nice having him home, wishing it was under better circumstances though.  He seems to be getting better but is having trouble sleeping at night due to not being able to get comfortable.  It's been very hectic around here and this is the first time I've had some peace and quiet for awhile.  

On my bedside table:

Trying to read A Time To Dance by Karen Kingsbury on my Kindle.  I've had it for awhile and only managed to get through a few chapters.  

My Bible

On my tv tonight:

I leave that up to my husband and kids

Listening to:

The sounds of my cockatiel eating his food. 

On the menu:

I NEED to go grocery shopping because as of now I don't have much to cook.  I am thinking of making chicken alfredo tonight or pork chops.  TBD.  

On my to do list:

Grocery shopping

Mail a package that will go to a friend in Virginia

Buy more mulch and add it to my flower bed.  Over the weekend I bought a few new bushes and added them to the flower bed.  Looks great!  

Pick hubby off from work and continue to take him and pick him up each day that he goes.  He didn't get cleared to drive yet.  

Laundry and other never-ending housework

Happening this week:

My son's first t-ball game of the season is tomorrow.  We can't wait.  My parents will be there too.  

Taking hubby to work until he gets cleared to drive on his own

Take hubby to doctor appointment on Friday

And let's not forget - MOTHER'S DAY on Sunday

What I am creating:

Nothing crafty lately but I suppose I can whip up a batch of chocolate brownies for the family this week

My simple pleasure:

Quiet time

Looking around the house:

It's actually quite clean thanks to my husband and children who cleaned the house yesterday while I was outside doing some yard work.  There still are toys here and there but they are nicely put away.  

From the camera:

Prayer list:

My husband's continued healing from the surgeries

My father who will need surgery for his shoulder next month.  He's also been the main caregiver to my mother since her stroke 2 years ago and being someone's caregiver is a tough, tough job.  I pray he continues to have the strength to keep going.  

Bible verse/Devotional:

"Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!" - 1 Chronicles 16:11

Praying For Their Future Spouses

Before I had children I was already praying for them.  I didn't know for sure if I'd end up having children and I didn't know how many or who they would turn out to be but I knew one thing for sure; God had those answers.  He knew my children and had a purpose for them long before they were forming in my womb.  Now I have two kids and I continue to pray for them.  I pray for their health, for their happiness, for their relationship with God, I pray that the Lord would direct me to be the kind of mother He wants me to be so I can raise them to be exactly what He wants them to be.  I have prayed so much over the years on so many topics involving my children but recently I have come to realize that I have failed at something.

I haven't been praying for the relationships they will have with friends and future significant others.

I'm not sure why it hasn't dawned on me until now with just how important it is to pray for the people who will be influences in their lives.  I want my kids to have friends but I want them to have the right kind of friends.  The ones who will build them up, help them succeed, accept them for who they are instead of trying to make them into something they're not and, overall, just be good influences.

I also want the same for the person they marry someday.  I'd love to see them marry someone who is godly; who strives to be a person after God's own heart.  Someone loving, faithful, and devoted to my child in every way possible.  Someone who will have my children's best interest at heart.  Someone who would be a great parent to my grandchildren.  So I've come to the conclusion that praying for my children's future spouses is just as important as praying for my children. 

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

On The Right Track To Raising Healthy Kids

What is better than going for a jog around the neighborhood?

Going for a jog around the neighborhood ... with my son.  This is the second time he's asked to run with me and I just love it.  Both times I had been hesitant, worrying that this six year old would slow me down; however, it's the opposite.  He motivates me to go further and keep going.  We have great conversations along the way too.  The first time we jogged he looked at all the houses around us and said, "the people who live in these homes should feel lucky that they have homes to live in."  He was also talking to me about how important it is to stay healthy and get exercise.  I just hope that as he grows he continues to love exercise.  This morning he woke me up and said he wanted to exercise with me.  We started with some jumping jacks and then he grew bored and started playing with his toys, of course.  But when we jog he keeps going.  He doesn't stop.  There really isn't anything to distract him.  I told him if he's still interested in running when he's older he can try out for the track team in school. 

My husband and I try to set a good example for our children.  We eat as healthy as we can (but I do slack off on this more than occasionally) and we also work out.  If I raise my kids the healthy way then that is what they will grow up to know; unlike me, who grew up on fast food, junk food and hours of television.  

My son loves playing video games and he's quite good at them but I'd rather see him active and do something that will be good for him before he sits to play those games.  So before he sat down to play Wii he ran with me.  It felt good.  It also helps rid some of that typical six year old energy he has. 

Spring Has Sprung

I am so happy that spring is here!  On Monday I mowed the lawn for the first time this year.  I actually enjoy mowing.  I place those earbuds in my ears and play my favorite tunes on my Mp3 Player and get to work.  It's my alone time.  My peaceful time.  My chance to get outside uninterrupted.  I have no issues with mowing the grass.  It's something I've done since we moved into our home (with the exception of the two summers I was pregnant). 

Since the weather has been beautiful it has given me a chance to go outside with the camera my husband bought me for Christmas.  I love it. 

I love how this picture of my daffodils came out ... and I love my daffodils.  It's so nice seeing green grass and flowers instead of snow.  Oh I was so tired of that white stuff.  I also enjoy hearing the birds chirping.  I could do without those nasty bugs that have made their appearance already.  My daughter is scared of bugs.  All bugs.  Oh and with spring comes ... ALLERGIES.  Luckily I don't have to worry about allergies but I think it affects me kids. 

We've been spending a lot of time outside and it's so enjoyable. 

The kids have a swing set with a sandbox in our back yard.  This brings hours of fun. 

 

My son loves getting artsy so the sidewalk chalk from the Easter Bunny was perfect.  

 

Did I mention the flowers have bloomed?  

I'm so happy to see spring is here and we can put that nasty winter behind us.  We have so much to look forward to during the warmer seasons.  Unfortunately today was too windy to enjoy the outdoors and yesterday evening a surprise storm came our way.  After strong winds, thunder, lightning, hail and rain we were left with this beautiful sight.  

A double rainbow!  It was gorgeous.  Of course, none of the photos I took did justice.  It looked so much better in person.  Two perfect arches that extended from one side to the other.  It was the first time our daughter had ever seen a rainbow so she was thrilled.  

I am so excited to have fresh air and sunshine!

 

Easter 2014

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, especially since having kids.  Of course we don't forget the true meaning to Good Friday and Easter and we make sure the kids understand as well.  However, we like to have fun with coloring eggs and seeing what kinds of things the Easter Bunny has left.

 

I had recently started to wonder if exposing my children to the idea that "Santa Claus" and "The Easter Bunny" are real will hurt them in any way as they get older and learn the truth.  Will they be mad at me for lying and more importantly will this cause them to stop believing in God as well?  I never really had that worry before because this is exactly how I was raised.  I believed in Santa, The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy when I was little and once I learned the truth about those myths it didn't change how I felt about God nor was I mad at my parents.  I continued to believe in the Lord without question.  So I had always imagined it would be the same for my children ... or will it?  I'm just not sure what to think anymore but it's all in good fun.  

So yes, Easter morning started when my son woke up early to see what this mysterious "Bunny" had left for him and his sister.  He patiently waited for the rest of us to wake up.  Both of them were so excited and loved everything.  I ... I mean ... the Easter Bunny tried not to add too much candy to the baskets.  The joy in their eyes was priceless.  

Unfortunately Rob couldn't join us for church since he's still recovering from surgery and was unable to walk up and down stairs at the time.  So after I made the family a breakfast that consisted of pancakes, fruit and bacon in the shape of a rabbit I took the kids to my father-in-law's church.  We don't usually go there since we attend another church that we all enjoy so much.  I was running late that morning and decided to just take the kids there.  They have enjoyed seeing their grandfather preach before so they were excited when I mentioned the idea of going.  The kids are used to our church which has separate rooms for the kids in all age groups.  They can be with their peers and learn on their own level while being loud and playing.  Sitting still for an hour is just not suitable for both the 6 year old and especially the 2 year old.  My daughter wouldn't sit still no matter how much I tried to bribe her and towards the end she started to fuss like crazy.  Fail!  I don't feel it's best to go to that church again for many other reasons aside from the fact my kids can't sit still long enough for me to hear the message; but I'll spare you all the details as to why my husband and I both feel it's not right for us to go.  

After church we headed home.  My daughter wasn't acting like her happy self and was very fussy and unbearable.  She kept insisting on taking off her pretty yellow dress and white shoes that I had recently purchased for Easter.  I begged her to keep it on until my parents came for dinner.  She did thankfully but refused to keep it on for much longer after that.  

 

Even though I was busy taking care of my husband who is still recovering from a double hip surgery and a fussy daughter I managed to make a big dinner and invited my parents and also my husband's sister.  My father-in-law called and said he and Rob's stepmother wanted to stop by.  

It was an okay day ... and I mean just that.  An okay day.   I tried hard to make it wonderful but it wasn't entirely and I won't mention why.  I'd rather just forget the downer parts of the day.  

However, through all the ups and downs of Easter, I am very thankful to Jesus for his sacrifice.  I am grateful to have a husband who loves me and takes care of me and is everything I could ever hope for in a husband and I'm also glad that he's been recovering well after surgery.  I'm also grateful to have two beautiful and healthy children who can drive me crazy at times but also give me a reason to want to be a better person.  I am blessed ... and I thank Jesus for that!  

Hope you had a Blessed Easter!