Monday, April 13, 2015

Hello

It's just been over a year since I blogged last. I appreciate those of you who've stopped by and checked in!

My grandpa passed away one week after my last post. My grandma passed away 10 weeks later. Then I got really sick, spent the summer in the hospital and at home on IVs and PICC line.

In mid Sept, I got my PICC line removed and spent a few months recovering.

In October, we found out we were having a baby GIRL. :)

The holidays were full and lovely and in Feb of this year I gave birth to our new baby girl.

We now have a teenager and an infant under one roof.

And just like that, she is now 10 weeks old!

All of that being said, I miss blogging, I miss the friends I made and I'm ready to dive in again.
One thing. This blog and its name is about our life with boys...snails and puppy dog tails!

I'm hoping to go in a (slight) new direction, so I'm working on a new blog.

I don't have all the details worked out, but I do know it will include books and learning, and creating home.

I hope you all will join me over there (I will update you in May) and until then, leave a comment or email me about how you all are doing?! Do you Instagram? I'm jeanab02 over there if you want see what all we've  been up to.

xo
Jeana


Monday, March 10, 2014

Broken Computer and a Breaking Heart

In case you haven't noticed...I haven't been around! Our computer has only worked about one week of this entire year. We were saving for a new one but the money isn't quite there to buy it yet, so here I sit. Typing on my ipad.

I've been working away on my goals for the year. It's going well, but man, this sure has been a tough year on me emotionally. Dan has started a new business and its been so very busy. I think he worked every single day in February. Brighton got pneumonia again, poor guy. I'm so happy to report he's doing better than ever now! February slipped by and it felt as though I was watching from the outside. There were so many sleepless nights and days I just had to push through, by the time it was over I don't think I knew what in the world happened!

My wonderful grandparents are both in care of hospice. As of 2 weeks ago they gave them both 6 months to live. As of last week they gave my grandpa 1 month.

I can hardly bring myself to think about it. They have both played a huge role in my life. Especially with their comfort and prayers during my long, hard years with Jaiden. My mind goes back to the scent of their home, my grandpa's vioce singing, "oh my darlin' oh my darlin' oh my darlin' clementine."  I can smell my grandma's cooking and hear the pressure cooker on the stove. I can see her worn bible laying on the table with a cup of coffee. I know this is a natural part of life but my heart aches. I can't even type this without tears streaming down my face.

We stopped in to visit them a few days ago. My grandpa (though he can't speak anymore) was thrilled we were there and hugged me for the longest time. We will go and visit them as much as we can until we can't anymore.

It's spring break around here. We are Spring cleaning and hanging out with friends all week. The sun is out and the birds are chirping. This is such a delightful time of year, I refuse to miss it! The boys and I "went" on a trip around the world this morning. Did you read Ann Voskamp's weekend blog? There are stunning pictures that take you on a mini vacation. You should really check it out! We had coffee, hot chocolate, and a globe in hand. It sure was a nice way to start the week!

They are now in the den playing blokus and monopoly...waiting on me to make some lunch. I better get to it!


Monday, January 13, 2014

Developing New Habits

Well, hello 2014. I just love new beginnings. I'm a list maker and love writing goals. I have only just started achieving these goals in the last 2-3 years. One thing I learned is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and nothing on my own strength.

1) One thing that I'm working through is reading the whole Bible. I absolutely love reading the Word but have never read it all the way through. I printed a bible plan for slackers (haha) that's not dated it just has what you need to read on Sundays,  Mondays etc.  it's ok if you skip a day because each day is in a different book, so the next week you can easily pick up where you left off.

2) I'd love to read at least 2 books a month. My booklist is so very long and I have about 4 going at once. I'd like to read at least 2 full books each month.

3) I really need to organize my computer. It's really out of control. I also want to take more pictures and blog more. I don't have my camera this week, but decided to blog anyways. See there?! (grin)

I'm coming up with ideas and a blog schedule as we speak!

4) Budget better and eat out less. This helps in many ways. If we eat out less, our budget will automatically get better. I really need to free up some of our money to work on this house. We are planning a few remodels this year that I can't wait to share!

I also want eating out and eating sweets to be a real treat for all of us. Remember when we were kids and going out to eat or getting homemade cookies only happened a few times a year? What a treat it was! I'd like it to be similar feeling for the boys.

5) get healthy again. We used to eat so healthy and workout 3 times a week. I didn't even think about it, I just did it. The past few years I've despised even thinking about it. In 2013 I lost over 10 lbs and at least gained a want to do it. My goal is just a little bit each day until it becomes a habit I love.

That's really it as far as new goals for me. I always have homeschool, parenting, and wife goals going on. I'm excited for this year and can't wait to share it with you all!

Do you make goals at the beginning of the year?

If so, what are they?

I'd love to pray and encourage you in yours!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Relentless Pursuit

I can't even begin to describe where God has taken me these past few weeks. But I'm sure going to try!

All year long I've been having this gentle nudge to just give it all up. Give it all to Him. I kept being pulled this way and that. You know? My heart longs for every bit of God it can handle...the world longs for my time and energy.

I kept trying to figure out how to sort of do it all but still keep God first. Then a few weeks ago God whispered to me. Just seek me. Nothing else. Devote your whole self to me, and we'll do this together.

I've been working all year (on and off) on myself. My style, my health, my weight...me me me...
I've been feeling great and enjoying the process but this worldly pursuit of health and style leaves one empty. I've gone back and forth with what my boys should eat, I've researched until I'm blue in the face, and guess what? I still didn't know!? I was on the normal roller coaster up and down and all around with God mixed in there somewhere until I was flat sick and tired of it.

I asked God to teach me how to be devoted to Him in this world. At first I prayed for wisdom on how to be devoted to Him and be a godly wife, and loving mother, and good friend etc. Then He answered me by giving me wisdom...that resulted in a prayer that just asked Him to help me be devoted to Him daily. Nothing else. No Him and anything. Just Him.

He's given me ways to take my everyday life and offer it as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God, knowing this is true and proper worship. That is true and proper worship. 

I know I'm always a work in progress, but wow! I now understand Psalm 84:10. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.

This last week alone has been better than the whole year combined.

I can honestly sit here right now and say I desire Him. All of Him. Only Him. Of course I still get pulled, we all do, but I pray daily that my focus stays right on Him.

I had someone tell me a few weeks ago that I needed to make (something irrelevant) my plan A. I would be lying if I didn't say I threw a fit at that remark. Honestly, that thing wasn't even on my plans..not even a desire in my life. I threw a fit more at myself thinking what on earth have I been doing for this person to even think this would be a priority?! I feel like that's what wrong with modern Christianity.. We don't even know what we desire. We don't know what our priority is because we don't have one, we have a list of them. Priorities.

Last week I sat with my family at Thanksgiving just so incredibly thankful and content. We had a newspaper sitting beside us and I quickly flipped through the hundreds of ads filled with thousands of things we don't need, but even better..I didn't even want. Nothing. My friend texted to see if I wanted to join her early the next morning and I felt so happy to say "no, thank you! I think I'll sleep in with my husband in the morning." And that's exactly what I did. It felt amazing. Content in God is an amazing feeling.

So, here I am on this relentless pursuit. Chasing after God!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Everyday Life

Today is rainy and cool. In my opinion, the perfect Autumn day.

We have finished school today, a big thanks to Liberty's Kids for taking over History for us today :)

We've finally(!) started painting around here. No beautiful colors, but fresh paint always feels so nice.

The boys wrapped up their fall soccer. We did Upward this year and absolutely loved it. They learned so much more than soccer. They loved it so much that we are started basketball in a few weeks. They've never played, but I'm sure they'll love it!

Speaking of a few weeks. Uh hm. The holidays are already upon us!? I kinda thought this year just started.
I am pretty excited about sharing another holiday season with the boys. They absolutely love this time of year. It's so special.

I'm reading Women Living Well and joined the Bible Study over at Biblical Homemaking. I am learning SO much. I truly appreciate the wisdom of godly women.

I found these pictures Tristin took of Brighton last week. Oh these boys make me smile!

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Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Balloon Glow

We love the annual balloon glow in our little city. Every year we wake up before sunrise and head 30 miles south. We follow a long line of cars down into the canyon. It's dark, it's freezing, but it's beautiful.

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We loved this spider pig :)

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This is one of our favorite traditions!

Take a look at last year's beautiful photos.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

A NINE Year Old in the House

He's been counting down the days. Every single year-no fail he starts the countdown sometime in the summer.

I think every year he tends to get up earlier and earlier too ;)

We love to celebrate him. He loves to feel special, so we try and make sure he knows he is. He brings such joy to our lives. He is so very helpful and is turning into quite a young man. He has worked extremely hard this year and is trying so many new things. I can really tell he is growing up.

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I love:

his smile
the way he treats his friends
the way he asks adults how they are doing
how I can hear him in the mornings doing his chores without me asking
the way he is truly enjoying school this year
seeing his art work (he loves to draw, paint, and got to art class)
watching him play soccer
to see him make his brothers laugh
to hear his laugh
when he tells me all about the book he is reading
how excited he still gets over all the things us adults forget to be excited about
that he brings such light in our home

We love you Tibby. Happy Birthday!

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