3335. hearing Peanut tell us that he washes his hair with "poo poo" (and dying laughing each time, so he says it over and over and over!!!)
3336. Peanut asking to go to Pub-ix or Ingles to get Tic Tacs
3337. hearing Peanut say his High and Low at the dinner table
3338. how excited Birdie is about the new soft carpet that was put in her bedroom last Friday
3339. Buddy-Ro looking forward to sharing a room with Peanut
3340. our house being just 4 days shy of REALLY OURS for (Lord willing) ever!
3341. kind, patient, polite customer service representatives at Comcast and Disney who go out of their ways to correct problems
3342. dining reservations at our favorite Disney restaurants and some at new ones
3343. every time we get in the van, Peanut asks, "Going to Disney World, Mama?!"
3344. continued work
Psalm 54:6, "With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good."
Monday, August 25, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Multitudes on Monday...on Wednesday, and why it almost wasn't.
It came time for me to list out my thanks on Monday, and I just couldn't do it. I was too busy, too scattered, too distracted. And the thought occurred to me that maybe I was just done. Maybe I've listed all that I am thankful for, and that the time had come to an end. I thought to myself, "I don't want my Thanks to feel like a burden, so if I can't write them I just won't worry with them."
And that was the lie. That to feel thankful can ever be "done." That to take the time to list out my Thanks is a burden.
It's absolutely the opposite. My mantra for the last three years for myself, and that I have often shared with others, is that "It's hard to be discontent when you count your blessings." And I know without a doubt that this is true. I can't stop counting and listing out my blessings. I simply can't. For if I do, discontentment will creep in. It already started this week, and it's just Wednesday.
One of my children has been difficult this week during our school time. Difficult, dawdling, poor attitude, defiant. And I have looked at this child and been so discontent.. If ______ was only a better student... If ______ would just do the work... If only _______'s attitude was better, more cooperative, easier... I found my heart beginning to harden toward my own child; my own flesh and blood; my precious gift from the Lord. And I realized that I was not thanking God for the strengths and blessings that flow from ________. But when I did take the time to be thankful for _______'s compassion, gentleness, energy, out-going personality, my discontentment began to fade away and I was reminded what a blessing ______ is to our family and to me.
It's the exact same way with every other area of life. My van is constantly in need of being vacuumed. But when I simply stop and am thankful for a safe vehicle to haul our family around in, my perspective changes. I have more laundry lately than I can keep up with. But, goodness, at the wonderful people in my family who bring about that laundry. There isn't enough time in the day to do everything that I need or want, but I am sure thankful that God granted me yet another day with my family.
Perspective. That is what giving thanks is all about. It truly is hard to be discontent when you count your blessings because you finally, actually, right-in-front-of-your-face realize how much there is to say Thanks for.
--
3323. going with Nana, Papa, and the kiddos to hike to a water fall over the weekend while Daddy had to work
3324. strong legs and feet that got us to the top of our hike
3325. the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us daily -- whether in a wildflower growing or a massive water fall that takes the breath away
3326. witnessing a proposal at the foot of the water fall and clapping in congratulations along with everyone else
3327. the kiddos traveling safely to and from Mimi's house for a couple of days
3328. Grace. Grace. Grace.
3329. 9 days until we begin moving into our new home
3330. passing needed inspections for the home
3331. very kind and outgoing new neighbors directly across from our new home
3332. a seasoned homeschool family next door to our new home
3333. working late into the wee morning hours with Scott to finish our beautiful kitchen that he designed and built for our home
3334. the memories, and the thanks, to be made in our new home
Psalm 30:11-12, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"
And that was the lie. That to feel thankful can ever be "done." That to take the time to list out my Thanks is a burden.
It's absolutely the opposite. My mantra for the last three years for myself, and that I have often shared with others, is that "It's hard to be discontent when you count your blessings." And I know without a doubt that this is true. I can't stop counting and listing out my blessings. I simply can't. For if I do, discontentment will creep in. It already started this week, and it's just Wednesday.
One of my children has been difficult this week during our school time. Difficult, dawdling, poor attitude, defiant. And I have looked at this child and been so discontent.. If ______ was only a better student... If ______ would just do the work... If only _______'s attitude was better, more cooperative, easier... I found my heart beginning to harden toward my own child; my own flesh and blood; my precious gift from the Lord. And I realized that I was not thanking God for the strengths and blessings that flow from ________. But when I did take the time to be thankful for _______'s compassion, gentleness, energy, out-going personality, my discontentment began to fade away and I was reminded what a blessing ______ is to our family and to me.
It's the exact same way with every other area of life. My van is constantly in need of being vacuumed. But when I simply stop and am thankful for a safe vehicle to haul our family around in, my perspective changes. I have more laundry lately than I can keep up with. But, goodness, at the wonderful people in my family who bring about that laundry. There isn't enough time in the day to do everything that I need or want, but I am sure thankful that God granted me yet another day with my family.
Perspective. That is what giving thanks is all about. It truly is hard to be discontent when you count your blessings because you finally, actually, right-in-front-of-your-face realize how much there is to say Thanks for.
--
3323. going with Nana, Papa, and the kiddos to hike to a water fall over the weekend while Daddy had to work
3324. strong legs and feet that got us to the top of our hike
3325. the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us daily -- whether in a wildflower growing or a massive water fall that takes the breath away
3326. witnessing a proposal at the foot of the water fall and clapping in congratulations along with everyone else
3327. the kiddos traveling safely to and from Mimi's house for a couple of days
3328. Grace. Grace. Grace.
3329. 9 days until we begin moving into our new home
3330. passing needed inspections for the home
3331. very kind and outgoing new neighbors directly across from our new home
3332. a seasoned homeschool family next door to our new home
3333. working late into the wee morning hours with Scott to finish our beautiful kitchen that he designed and built for our home
3334. the memories, and the thanks, to be made in our new home
Psalm 30:11-12, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Birdie's 8 year old interview
I interviewed Birdie for her birthday, and I kept thinking we would have a little photo shoot. But life at Nana's is not like life at our own house......so, no more waiting. I selected pictures from Birdie's birthday that I took on my phone (since it's always with me b/c it's easy to keep up with!).
It's fun to see what has changed and what has stayed the same over the last year. Birdie is growing up, that's for sure. EIGHT years old. I can hardly believe that my baby girl is 8, and that I have been a mama for 8 years. There are days that are super crazy challenging, but being this girl's mama is one of the best blessings of my life. So here we go!
--
(M)ama: What do you want to be when you grow up?
(B)irdie: A librarian
(M): Why's that?
(B): Because I like to read and get books from the library.
(M): What is your favorite thing God has made?
(B): Flowers and people
(Standing in front of what will be her vanity that her Daddy made for her new bathroom. She is so proud!)
(M): What is it you like about Daddy?
(B): He's strong and he makes good pancakes.
(M): What's your favorite color?
(B): Turquoise
(M): What is your favorite food?
(B): Tomatoes, pancakes, fried eggs (not runny), Dilly Bars...the list goes on and on!
(M): What is something that you don't like to eat?
(B): Mustard by itself
(A gift from Ms. Vanessa who was our old next door neighbor. How sweet she was to remember Birdie's birthday!!)
(M): What is your favorite song?
(B): "Let it Go" from Frozen
(M): What are you looking forward to about being 8?
(B): Being able to make bracelets with my rainbow loom.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do?
(B): Play outside in the mud, run around, make bracelets, and spend time with my Mama and Daddy. (Melt.)
(M): What is your favorite thing to wear?
(B): Shorts and a t-shirt to get dirty. But I also like skirts and dresses, sometimes.
(M): Who is your favorite friend?
(B): Jocelyn, Isabelle, Bryn, Kaitlin, Kylie, and Ariana.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?
(B): Paint our fingernails and toenails.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
(B): Play freeze-tag!
(M): Do you like school?
(B): Yes
(M): What do you like about school?
(B): I get to do art on Thursday, and I like doing my math on the computer (Uh, really??? It is CRAZY to me that she says this again this year because math is our biggest struggle.)
(M): What is your favorite thing about Buddy-Ro?
(B): His dimples. (Totally had to fight to hold my chuckle in with this answer!!)
(M): What is your favorite thing about Peanut?
(B): He's cute and he likes to play fun games. And he sings in a really cute voice. ;)
(M): Where is your favorite place to go?
(B): Dairy Queen
(M): What does Daddy do all day?
(B): Work
(M): What does Mama do all day?
(B): Laundry, dishes, fold clothes, cook, teach school, and work.
(M): What is your favorite restaurant?
(B): Golden Corral
(M): What do you want to eat on your birthday?
(B): Cinnamon muffins, pizza, and ice cream cake.
(M): I love you, Baby Bird.
(B): I love you.
(M): I love you more.
(B): I love you mostest in the whole wide world. (This is what my Mamaw and I used to say to each other when I was little. And now Birdie and I share it.)
--
Birdie-girl, you have changed a lot over the last year. While you are still a sweet girl, you often need to be reminded to use a more gentle tone of voice, and your patience has wavered a bit over the last few months. I am finding that I require more and more time on my knees asking for wisdom for how to parent you as you want to be a bigger girl but aren't quite there yet. However, there are still glimpses of the sweet, sensitive, caring, helpful, compassionate girl that you truly are. I am already starting to dread the hormonal years to come as I see little bits of what may be in store...and I keep praying that God will prepare me before we actually get there. You truly are beautiful inside and out, and when I see your inside beauty peeking through my heart leaps with joy. I understand that growing up is hard work, and sometimes it takes a toll on you -- but don't forget to keep your heart anchored in Jesus so that He can light your way and help you make good choices. You will always be my most precious little girl, and I am always here for you. I am so proud to be your Mama; even on the hard days. You have my heart, and I've always got your back. I love you, Birdie-girl. ~Mama
It's fun to see what has changed and what has stayed the same over the last year. Birdie is growing up, that's for sure. EIGHT years old. I can hardly believe that my baby girl is 8, and that I have been a mama for 8 years. There are days that are super crazy challenging, but being this girl's mama is one of the best blessings of my life. So here we go!
--
(M)ama: What do you want to be when you grow up?
(B)irdie: A librarian
(M): Why's that?
(B): Because I like to read and get books from the library.
(M): What is your favorite thing God has made?
(B): Flowers and people
(Standing in front of what will be her vanity that her Daddy made for her new bathroom. She is so proud!)(M): What is it you like about Daddy?
(B): He's strong and he makes good pancakes.
(M): What's your favorite color?
(B): Turquoise
(M): What is your favorite food?
(B): Tomatoes, pancakes, fried eggs (not runny), Dilly Bars...the list goes on and on!
(M): What is something that you don't like to eat?
(B): Mustard by itself
(A gift from Ms. Vanessa who was our old next door neighbor. How sweet she was to remember Birdie's birthday!!)(M): What is your favorite song?
(B): "Let it Go" from Frozen
(M): What are you looking forward to about being 8?
(B): Being able to make bracelets with my rainbow loom.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do?
(B): Play outside in the mud, run around, make bracelets, and spend time with my Mama and Daddy. (Melt.)
(M): What is your favorite thing to wear?
(B): Shorts and a t-shirt to get dirty. But I also like skirts and dresses, sometimes.
(M): Who is your favorite friend?
(B): Jocelyn, Isabelle, Bryn, Kaitlin, Kylie, and Ariana.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?
(B): Paint our fingernails and toenails.
(M): What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
(B): Play freeze-tag!
(M): Do you like school?
(B): Yes
(M): What do you like about school?
(B): I get to do art on Thursday, and I like doing my math on the computer (Uh, really??? It is CRAZY to me that she says this again this year because math is our biggest struggle.)
(M): What is your favorite thing about Buddy-Ro?
(B): His dimples. (Totally had to fight to hold my chuckle in with this answer!!)
(M): What is your favorite thing about Peanut?
(B): He's cute and he likes to play fun games. And he sings in a really cute voice. ;)
(M): Where is your favorite place to go?
(B): Dairy Queen
(M): What does Daddy do all day?
(B): Work
(M): What does Mama do all day?
(B): Laundry, dishes, fold clothes, cook, teach school, and work.
(M): What is your favorite restaurant?
(B): Golden Corral
(M): What do you want to eat on your birthday?
(B): Cinnamon muffins, pizza, and ice cream cake.
(M): I love you, Baby Bird.
(B): I love you.
(M): I love you more.
(B): I love you mostest in the whole wide world. (This is what my Mamaw and I used to say to each other when I was little. And now Birdie and I share it.)
--
Birdie-girl, you have changed a lot over the last year. While you are still a sweet girl, you often need to be reminded to use a more gentle tone of voice, and your patience has wavered a bit over the last few months. I am finding that I require more and more time on my knees asking for wisdom for how to parent you as you want to be a bigger girl but aren't quite there yet. However, there are still glimpses of the sweet, sensitive, caring, helpful, compassionate girl that you truly are. I am already starting to dread the hormonal years to come as I see little bits of what may be in store...and I keep praying that God will prepare me before we actually get there. You truly are beautiful inside and out, and when I see your inside beauty peeking through my heart leaps with joy. I understand that growing up is hard work, and sometimes it takes a toll on you -- but don't forget to keep your heart anchored in Jesus so that He can light your way and help you make good choices. You will always be my most precious little girl, and I am always here for you. I am so proud to be your Mama; even on the hard days. You have my heart, and I've always got your back. I love you, Birdie-girl. ~Mama
Monday, August 11, 2014
Multitudes on Monday
3311. a wonderful, sweet, healthy and strong 8 year old daughter
3312. Birdie's nurturing heart and love for her family
3313. her sensitive spirit, even though it does allow for her heart to be broken more easily
3314. how she will tell her Daddy and me what's on her heart and mind, and I pray that her open communication will continue forever with us
3315. rainbow loom bracelets that Birdie now makes for everyone...and she has still yet to make one for herself
3316. tomatoes to put on yellow jacket stings
3317. cooler August days with overcast skies so that we aren't all dripping in sweat outside
3318. planning another Disney vacation as a family with Mimi, Ron, Nana & Papa
3319. how Peanut loves to watch our Disney DVDs since we've been talking about going back to Disney - he's already excited!
3320. starting back to school (as much as possible while still at Nana's house)
3321. Buddy-Ro's excitement to learn and his focused attention on his work
3322. homeschooling our kiddos and being with them during the days -- some days are rough (Math is rough...), but most days are good and filled with memories of being together
Psalm 79:13, "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
3312. Birdie's nurturing heart and love for her family
3313. her sensitive spirit, even though it does allow for her heart to be broken more easily
3314. how she will tell her Daddy and me what's on her heart and mind, and I pray that her open communication will continue forever with us
3315. rainbow loom bracelets that Birdie now makes for everyone...and she has still yet to make one for herself
3316. tomatoes to put on yellow jacket stings
3317. cooler August days with overcast skies so that we aren't all dripping in sweat outside
3318. planning another Disney vacation as a family with Mimi, Ron, Nana & Papa
3319. how Peanut loves to watch our Disney DVDs since we've been talking about going back to Disney - he's already excited!
3320. starting back to school (as much as possible while still at Nana's house)
3321. Buddy-Ro's excitement to learn and his focused attention on his work
3322. homeschooling our kiddos and being with them during the days -- some days are rough (Math is rough...), but most days are good and filled with memories of being together
Psalm 79:13, "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
Monday, August 4, 2014
Multitudes on Monday
3302. Scott driving home today bringing cabinets for our own home!!
3303. how hard Scott works for our family and our new home
3304. school curriculum that is organized and ready for when we are able to start school
3305. gluten free pretzels that taste really good
3306. 25 days and counting until we {hopefully} close on our new home
3307. the paint colors that I chose for our new home turning out just as I wanted them -- paint colors are so stressful
3308. light fixtures and hardwood floors in making the house look more complete
3309. friendly neighbors who have welcomed us already
3310. praying with my children before bed so that the last things they hear are God's promises whispered in their ears
Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."
3303. how hard Scott works for our family and our new home
3304. school curriculum that is organized and ready for when we are able to start school
3305. gluten free pretzels that taste really good
3306. 25 days and counting until we {hopefully} close on our new home
3307. the paint colors that I chose for our new home turning out just as I wanted them -- paint colors are so stressful
3308. light fixtures and hardwood floors in making the house look more complete
3309. friendly neighbors who have welcomed us already
3310. praying with my children before bed so that the last things they hear are God's promises whispered in their ears
Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."
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