Circumstantial Love

My house is quiet.
My heart is quiet.
What a nice moment.

My kids get home in ten minutes though. That will be the end of the quiet house for sure and possibly the quiet heart. Depends on how long it takes me to get through the homework/chores routine.

I have been thinking lately about how much my circumstances influence the state of my heart. I do believe some of that is natural and ok. Jesus sat by the well and let his disciples go get groceries because he was tired. Of course, he also had an appointment with the Samaritan women. But still, he was tired so he sat. But I doubt He was cranky. :)

I want to be stronger. So if the time comes I ever have to be tired and hungry I can still love those around me well. So, that is a new goal for me, to be uncomfortable and still put other's needs before my own. Especially my family. They get to see me in my weakest moments and I want to love them well. Only by His goodness and grace will I ever succeed in this endeavor!

The front door just opened...

Daily Life...

I have been in a bloggy sort of mood lately. But this is one of those times I really shouldn't write because I have nothing very important to say. Still loving my Bible study. We met this morning. Beth promised we would go to the next level with God during this study. Totally looking forward to that! Jack Bauer is cool. The only thing that could make him cooler is if the very last moment of the last episode he reveals he is a Christian. :) (A TV show, for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about. :) I am tired from staying up until 10:00 two nights in a row, though. Glad it will only be on one night a week after this. My daughter finally passed an AR test. We have only been struggling with that for two years. She took one and failed it and then refused to take any more. My husband is running and I am still walking and I am the one who likes to run. Oh well, walking turns into running eventually. Speaking of which, I better get out there....

And a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

We had a lovely morning. The kids actually slept in until 7:00 (the first time ever) and we had time to get up and get ready. So the stove was going and the coffee was perking when they got up. I got snuggy stuff, a new robe and slippers and pjs and lots of Bath and Body works goodies. Yay. And an mp3 player I can download sermons on to. I have been wanting that for ages (well ok, about 6 months :).

We still have Christmas Dinner at my sisters to look forward too and I know she got a bunch of books I can't wait to read. :)

I hope your day is filled with joy. I love that Jesus gives us presents on His Birthday. :)

My Thanksgiving

Whew! I was better by Thanksgiving. If any of you prayed for me, thank you.

We thought we were just going to have a quiet day with my and my sisters family. We ended up having my parents, grandparents, brother and family, and other sister. If we would have planned it, I would have been seriously stressed out. But since it just happened, it was really fun.

Friday we did nothing and it was nice.

Saturday we went and got our Christmas tree and the kids decorated the whole thing all by themselves and it actually looks decent.

Sunday we went to church and got groceries.

I realized as much as I want to love cranberries, I really barely like them. And I adore pumpkin.

I am thankful that life is so much deeper and richer than the surface of things. Even when they are good.

What is going on in your heart as we enter the Christmas Season?

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Ugg, I have been sick for three days. The last two days were kinda fun. I had an excuse to lay around reading books all weekend. Today, my ribs are sore from coughing and I am getting tired of reading and I really want to be well by Thursday.

I hope you have a Thankful Thanksgiving. :)

Afternoon Bliss

I just want to say.....I absolutely adore the hour I force my children to be quiet and read. If they talk, I add five minutes. I am getting ready to do that now. Hope I don't get carried away and add ten. I wonder how long it will take them to start counting the beeping noises the timer makes? Just kidding, I would NEVER take advantage of my children's ignorance! ;)

Too funny not to share.....

The Scene: Me, driving my two kids to the doctor for a follow up on Gabe's asthma. Realizing I forgot my check book.



Me: Bad word that no Christian mom should say in front of her kids.



Laney: Big shocked eyes looking at me from the passenger seat.



Me: Sorry Kids, Sorry Lord, for my potty mouth, thank you for dying for our sins.



Laney: Looks a little less horrified, did I mention she is my prudey child?



(I realize I am ok because I still have my planner with everything I need in it. But realizing we have another problem because we are already late and I turned down the wrong road.)



Me: Oh shoot, I went the wrong way, what am I retarded or something?



Laney: (in a very serious, deadpanned voice) Yes Mom, sometimes I honestly think you are....



Me: Laughing hysterically



Laney: Why is that so funny?



Me: You really believe that don't you?



Laney: Yeah, but don't tell Dad, he will get mad at me.



Me: Why don't you think I will be mad at you?



Laney: Because you know you are retarded sometimes.
Dad is more serious.



I am still laughing.........

Loving Being Loved

Yesterday, my husband and I both took the day off, sent the kids to school and hung out together all day. We had so much fun, going out to breakfast, getting groceries, shoes for my daughter. What amazed me the most though was last night the kids were playing quietly together (which is something to savor in itself) and Jason came over and laid down on the couch with me and started playing with my feet. I was just sitting there, looking at him, thinking how absolutely wonderful God was to lead me to this man. (Because I would have married anyone who asked me. After I got miserable enough, I finally consulted God and for the first time, I wanted His will more than my own. God has so rewarded me for that teeny, tiny bit of faith.) My favorite thing about my marriage is I am completely comfortable being me. I am secure in his love for me. And that is because I tested him constantly for the first 5 years of our marriage and he never left. He will be receiving some extra crowns in heaven, because of that, I believe :)

What is your favorite thing about your closest relationships?

My Grandma died this morning. I was more sad than I expected to be. I had a feeling when I saw her last week that I wouldn't see her again. I think she is in Heaven. I asked her if she was afraid and she said no. I trust God with it all. I am so thankful Jesus saved that thief on the cross, it gives me so much hope when people wait til the last minute to believe in Him. I used to hate that parable about the guy who paid the people who only worked an hour the same as the ones who worked all day. Now I am so thankful. So thankful God knows that some day we will just love and not be so greedy for reward and recognition. I am just rambling. Her funeral is Thursday and my Birthday is Saturday and Easter is Sunday. What a week..........I think I am going to go take a nap.