In the still of the night when everyone is tucked tightly in their own beds, I turn on my tiny kindle light and read until I can't hold my eyes open anymore.
I started reading Reshaping It All. A very delightful read, and truly encouraging to get in control of food you eat, thoughts you have, and decisions you make. To live by the Spirit and not let the flesh win. Whichever one you feed is the one that wins.
It's like speaking to a big sister who has heard all your excuses (and has been there herself) and basically telling you to grow up a bit and live your life the way God intended. All in a wonderfully loving and graceful manor.
I have learned a tremendous amount about myself. Which has helped me step up and take the necessary actions to let my body know it is no longer in control. That it is now Spirit led, and I make healthy decisions based on what God designed my body to need, not everything it wants. And when I want something like say a brownie fudge sundae? Get it, but split it with the boys, or my hubby. Remember...Spirit led to do what is best.
Today, for instance, I wanted a burger and fries. I'm not a big burger and fries girl, but my body sure wanted me to know that that's what it wanted today. I always like a a large coke with it as well ;). Well, we headed out, and before I went, I made myself chose whether I wanted the burger and fries, or the coke...a medium coke. I choose coke and a grilled chicken wrap..no fries. I ate until I was full (a little more than half)and was done. In the end, I survived...and feel much better than if I would've if i had given into my flesh and ordered a burger, fries, and a large coke.
What a journey this has been, and it is hard, but the more I stay focused, the better it will get.
Gal. 5:16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Checking In and Lessons Learned
Just wanted to take a quick minute to check in. This month/year so far has had a rough start. We have been abnormally busy, and for the past week our family (each and every one of the boys...hubby included) has been sick. And yesterday we put our house up for sale. Praying for everyone too feel 100%, and a quick sell, because I'm already ready to settle down! ;)
One great thing about selling the house is that it.is.spotless. I REALLY love that. Right now we have it for sale by owner and it goes in the paper tomorrow. We have already had 3 calls and some showings set up just by people driving by, so that's always exciting.
I am trying to catch up on my blog posts. Also, trying to keep up with school. We are back to reading, writing, Bible, math and the occasional History and Science. The thing I've learned over the past 2 years, is that when life is busy (which we really try to keep how busy we are under control) we take the rest of life at a lighter pace. Right now, with sickness and house selling, school gets lighter. To some this may seem crazy, but I feel as long as he is getting his Bible, reading, and math, we are doing well and can pick up on the rest as soon as our busy spell is over. I know our family well, and this is just a busy season and we will soon settle back into a slower paced life.
The thing that is really hard for me in busy seasons is my time spent with God. I feel as though I talk with Him throughout the day all the time, but some of that is all me talking and never me listening. Never being still in Him. I hate that. I don't mind doing our school lightly, but should never let my time with Him turn light.
Have you ever prayed this scripture in Psalm 139?
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
When you do, He will. It is a hard wake up call to know your heart. I have had a few instances in the past few weeks that were very hard for me, and my reaction was less than admirable. I've learned that I've become much stronger than I used to be, but have also learned that if I want to speak my mind to someone who is hurting me, to do it with grace, as God would me. And I did not that. I teach my boys that if one is not being nice, it's not okay to not be nice back. I didn't even follow my own rule. I never want to hurt someone, but the thoughts in my head were what caught me off guard, and that, to God is the same. The thoughts I have when I have to see them again are not graceful. The words I spoke about them to my husband after they had upset me were not okay.
The very fact that I even called my husband first before turning to God was indication of my anxious thoughts.
It's hard when people you love hurt you or someone else you love. But God can take things like this and show you a bigger picture if you let Him. He can also show you that maybe you are seeking others' support over just trusting and going where God is leading you even without their support.
Big wake up calls if you pray that prayer my friends.
In the end, I know, I can NOT do this life without Him. My number one goal in life is to be with Him. He will never leave me. So why do I turn to others, thinking I need their approval to do this life. Their approval won't lead me to life with Him. Others may even leave on some level, but He won't. Why do I forget this?
I'll leave you with this amazing song, that just makes me weep. The most powerful words in it say:
I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway
We have all been there. Every single day we are there on some level. But He loves us anyway.
One great thing about selling the house is that it.is.spotless. I REALLY love that. Right now we have it for sale by owner and it goes in the paper tomorrow. We have already had 3 calls and some showings set up just by people driving by, so that's always exciting.
I am trying to catch up on my blog posts. Also, trying to keep up with school. We are back to reading, writing, Bible, math and the occasional History and Science. The thing I've learned over the past 2 years, is that when life is busy (which we really try to keep how busy we are under control) we take the rest of life at a lighter pace. Right now, with sickness and house selling, school gets lighter. To some this may seem crazy, but I feel as long as he is getting his Bible, reading, and math, we are doing well and can pick up on the rest as soon as our busy spell is over. I know our family well, and this is just a busy season and we will soon settle back into a slower paced life.
The thing that is really hard for me in busy seasons is my time spent with God. I feel as though I talk with Him throughout the day all the time, but some of that is all me talking and never me listening. Never being still in Him. I hate that. I don't mind doing our school lightly, but should never let my time with Him turn light.
Have you ever prayed this scripture in Psalm 139?
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
When you do, He will. It is a hard wake up call to know your heart. I have had a few instances in the past few weeks that were very hard for me, and my reaction was less than admirable. I've learned that I've become much stronger than I used to be, but have also learned that if I want to speak my mind to someone who is hurting me, to do it with grace, as God would me. And I did not that. I teach my boys that if one is not being nice, it's not okay to not be nice back. I didn't even follow my own rule. I never want to hurt someone, but the thoughts in my head were what caught me off guard, and that, to God is the same. The thoughts I have when I have to see them again are not graceful. The words I spoke about them to my husband after they had upset me were not okay.
The very fact that I even called my husband first before turning to God was indication of my anxious thoughts.
It's hard when people you love hurt you or someone else you love. But God can take things like this and show you a bigger picture if you let Him. He can also show you that maybe you are seeking others' support over just trusting and going where God is leading you even without their support.
Big wake up calls if you pray that prayer my friends.
In the end, I know, I can NOT do this life without Him. My number one goal in life is to be with Him. He will never leave me. So why do I turn to others, thinking I need their approval to do this life. Their approval won't lead me to life with Him. Others may even leave on some level, but He won't. Why do I forget this?
I'll leave you with this amazing song, that just makes me weep. The most powerful words in it say:
I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway
We have all been there. Every single day we are there on some level. But He loves us anyway.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Quick Laundry Redo
I have no before pictures of our laundry room, so you'll have to imagine a white room with 80's style brown wood cabinets, doors, and drying rack, and a white linoleum floor. I wonder why I never got a picture of it?!
About $100 and a day later (not including the floor that we did a year or so ago)the room is fresh and feels bigger. I use it as our mudroom as well since it is right off of our garage.
Painted the walls a light aqua, trim and cabinets white, and the doors black.
Space behind the door holds iron and board.
Not a big space at all, but love how good it feels to walk into this room now! AND all the laundry is done ;) Wish we had done this years ago...
About $100 and a day later (not including the floor that we did a year or so ago)the room is fresh and feels bigger. I use it as our mudroom as well since it is right off of our garage.
Painted the walls a light aqua, trim and cabinets white, and the doors black.
Space behind the door holds iron and board.
Not a big space at all, but love how good it feels to walk into this room now! AND all the laundry is done ;) Wish we had done this years ago...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Miss Bella and Her New Do
Bella got her first haircut today. It has been a year since we got her, and I decided that it's time she look like a Westie. ;)
I have heard horror stories about how hard Westies are to groom. They are quite stubborn and can be a pain to sit still for the THREE hours it takes to groom one. They have special hair and it just takes a long time.
I have been making her lay down to get her hair brushed daily for a while now, so I was thrilled when we picked her up and they went on and on about how well behaved and sweet she was!
We picked her up and the boys...including my hubby just went crazy for how beautiful she looked. They couldn't take their eyes off of her ha! I have to say, she does look just lovely, but she is a bit sad that the boys now don't want her to go outside to play for fear of her rolling in the dirt.
She is not quite as girly as she looks.
Isn't she a DOLL?!
Then she perches up on top of the couch like a big lazy cat...
I have heard horror stories about how hard Westies are to groom. They are quite stubborn and can be a pain to sit still for the THREE hours it takes to groom one. They have special hair and it just takes a long time.
I have been making her lay down to get her hair brushed daily for a while now, so I was thrilled when we picked her up and they went on and on about how well behaved and sweet she was!
We picked her up and the boys...including my hubby just went crazy for how beautiful she looked. They couldn't take their eyes off of her ha! I have to say, she does look just lovely, but she is a bit sad that the boys now don't want her to go outside to play for fear of her rolling in the dirt.
She is not quite as girly as she looks.
Isn't she a DOLL?!
Then she perches up on top of the couch like a big lazy cat...
Cooking With Kids
This week, I had the boys help make Broccoli Beef and Stir Fry for dinner. They LOVED it, and spent several hours after they were done playing chef.
They got to use their new Curious Chef knives. These babies worked so well, I'm thinking of buying a set for myself.
Cut the steak:
Make the marinade:
Check our recipe for Stir Fry:
Chop those veggies:
Make some sauce:
Add a little oil and cook the veggies:
Cook the steak and serve over rice:
YUM!
They got to use their new Curious Chef knives. These babies worked so well, I'm thinking of buying a set for myself.
Cut the steak:
Make the marinade:
Check our recipe for Stir Fry:
Chop those veggies:
Make some sauce:
Add a little oil and cook the veggies:
Cook the steak and serve over rice:
YUM!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Weekly School Overview
This is what we have in store for the week ahead:
Bible Reading and Copy Scripture: Jesus' Crucification in Mark 15:21, Resurrection John 20, Luke 24, John 21, Ascension of Jesus Acts 1
Reading Lesson and Write New Words: Delightful Reading lessons with Bible Reading and Free Reading.
(learning the words we are reading in the Bible and other books) -
EXAMPLE:the word LIGHT can make other words like right, knight, night, lightning...
Read Alouds:
The Aesop for Children
The Blue Fairy Book
Among the Forest People
History:
Pocahontas
Colonial American Craft- 3D Jamestown Map
Math: Review long addition and subtraction. Review and add to multiplication.
Guess and Group activity from Family Math book.
Grammar: Lessons 5 and 6 From English for the Thoughtful Child Vol. 1
Monthly/Term Fine Arts:
poetry: The Moon by Robert Louis Stevenson; Child's Garden of Verses Robert Louis Stevenson
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, Midsummer Nights Dream
folksong: Carrigfergus
hymn: What A Friend We Have in Jesus
Artists: Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) American; Hudson River School
This term's composer: Mendelssohn, Romantic
Art:
Nature Study:
Birds
Project Garden (a book filled with garden activities for every month)
*this month we are planting Herbs and making plant markers, using lemon in our baking and treats (lemon snow ice cream anyone?!), and seed catalog card for my grandma's birthday.
***********************************************************************
Preschool will be added soon.
Bible Reading and Copy Scripture: Jesus' Crucification in Mark 15:21, Resurrection John 20, Luke 24, John 21, Ascension of Jesus Acts 1
Reading Lesson and Write New Words: Delightful Reading lessons with Bible Reading and Free Reading.
(learning the words we are reading in the Bible and other books) -
EXAMPLE:the word LIGHT can make other words like right, knight, night, lightning...
Read Alouds:
The Aesop for Children
The Blue Fairy Book
Among the Forest People
History:
Pocahontas
Colonial American Craft- 3D Jamestown Map
Math: Review long addition and subtraction. Review and add to multiplication.
Guess and Group activity from Family Math book.
Grammar: Lessons 5 and 6 From English for the Thoughtful Child Vol. 1
Monthly/Term Fine Arts:
poetry: The Moon by Robert Louis Stevenson; Child's Garden of Verses Robert Louis Stevenson
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, Midsummer Nights Dream
folksong: Carrigfergus
hymn: What A Friend We Have in Jesus
Artists: Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) American; Hudson River School
This term's composer: Mendelssohn, Romantic
Art:
Source: artprojectsforkids.org via Jeana on Pinterest
Nature Study:
Birds
Project Garden (a book filled with garden activities for every month)
*this month we are planting Herbs and making plant markers, using lemon in our baking and treats (lemon snow ice cream anyone?!), and seed catalog card for my grandma's birthday.
***********************************************************************
Preschool will be added soon.
well hello...2012
One week down and I think I'm still in 2011...or possibly 2001? I'm not quite sure!
Update: my friend (from the last post) found his daughter...a week later...in CA. She is safe. She is home. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers.
We are starting back school tomorrow. I'm SO excited! I have felt out of the routine for over a month, and I just can't handle that for long anymore.
I wrote a post about my yearly goals. I haven't finished it yet, but will. THIS week.
One of my biggest goals this year is to GIVE. Give time, give friendship, give to people in need. I want our focus to be on others as much as we can. Even the littlest things to make someone smile.
There are MANY ideas and ways to show someone you care. I love the 52 Smiles idea. Pick one thing a week and make someone smile. Here are a few of the ones I love:
make little care packages to give to the homeless. Just make some and leave them in the car.
Here is a whole list of ideas. Fun!
This is just beautiful for May Day, or Mother's Day, or ANY day!
I love Pinterest also, because if you follow your friends you can see little things they post that they love and maybe pick it up for them for no reason at all.
I will update throughout the year. Let me know the things you all come up with this year to show others they are special!
Update: my friend (from the last post) found his daughter...a week later...in CA. She is safe. She is home. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers.
We are starting back school tomorrow. I'm SO excited! I have felt out of the routine for over a month, and I just can't handle that for long anymore.
I wrote a post about my yearly goals. I haven't finished it yet, but will. THIS week.
One of my biggest goals this year is to GIVE. Give time, give friendship, give to people in need. I want our focus to be on others as much as we can. Even the littlest things to make someone smile.
There are MANY ideas and ways to show someone you care. I love the 52 Smiles idea. Pick one thing a week and make someone smile. Here are a few of the ones I love:
make little care packages to give to the homeless. Just make some and leave them in the car.
Source: kwavs.blogspot.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Here is a whole list of ideas. Fun!
Source: katherinemariephotography.com via Jeana on Pinterest
This is just beautiful for May Day, or Mother's Day, or ANY day!
Source: katherinemaries.com via Jeana on Pinterest
I love Pinterest also, because if you follow your friends you can see little things they post that they love and maybe pick it up for them for no reason at all.
I will update throughout the year. Let me know the things you all come up with this year to show others they are special!
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