Monday, Monday

Today sure feels like a monday...there's a huge fire here in Southern Cal., so the beautiful morning sky that usually awaits us is instead a orangy haze with spinkling of ash raining down.  I'm praying for the firefighters who are so bravely putting their lives on the line as we speak.  I'm also praying for a better start to the week than the end was.  Yesterday was not a good day, on many levels.  I wont get into it on here, but anyone who reads and has a spare second, please pray for me, God knows the details.  Its nothing serious but a lesson could be learned and my part I'm sure.  Anyway, the kids are great, off to school this smoky monday morning and Jeremiah and I are enjoying the quiet time before our day begins.  David is still sleeping, which is great because he usually gets woken up too early anyway.  So I'll leave todays short, sweet and to the point.  Just wanted everyone to know I"m still here...

Love and Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday-Flashback

So glad its not Monday anymore!

Wow I am so super glad that its not Monday anymore! I haven't a bad day like that in awhile! Nothing major mind you but it just wasn't good. The kids got up in bad moods, so the morning was rough. Jeremiah was crabby all day. I had a raging headache and really bad allergies yesterday which is weird because I haven't had them all summer so I don't know what that was about! To top if off I was super tired all day. Like ready to fall asleep if I sat down, so I avoided that which just made me achy and more grumpy. Lovin my cheer this morning?....LOL!

There was much more but little stuff that just added up. I was just down and discouraged and stressed and worried, all the things I'm not to be. But I did watch a really awesome CD called the truth project, and it really helped me. I was tired and not really wanting to stay up and watch anything but I did. And for a reason. I really spoke to my heart about how my worrying and discouragement puts limits and boundaries on my God who is limitless and boundless and above, far above, my problems. Not in a bad way, its just that nothing in this world could ever compare to who He is or what He is capable of. There's so much I could get into about that but I wont this morning. I'm just so thankful for His word and for the people that He gifts with the ability to teach His truths!

On the home front, everything is fine. Our needs our met the kids are healthy and that's what I have to focus on. God is providing for us and were are learning to depend on Him like we've never had before. Which is probably why were in this situation. Is to strengthen our dependence on Him. It's an uphill battle but I'm learning slowly to surrender things to Him and wait on Him. And when I feel like I'm ready to just cry with stress or worry, I call out to Him and His faithful, gentle way, He always brings me comfort!

Anyway, I have to get ready to take David to school. I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Shalom!

My Prayer

I woke this morning and read my devotion. It was so touching to my heart and I wanted to share. It was called "mother of the year". And basically was a devotion for mother's who at times feel they are failing completely, messing up and struggling. I think every one of us mothers as been there ( I think I'm there on a daily basis). The devotional verse was out of Proverbs 31; "her children will rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her".

The devotion went on to give a couple of examples why this mother felt she was failing and what God had put on her heart. You see her son started kinder that week and she forgot to pick him up twice in one week because she was distracted at home working. Well by the second time she felt completely humiliated and discouraged. The next day "parent life" magazine named her one of the 8 Mother's of the Year.

She didn't understand how they could think that or how is could possibly be because of how she messed up. Her husband pointed out to her that it was God's way of telling her that "your doing better than you think you are and I am not the only one who sees it". That touched me because as mom's I think we tend to focus on comparison and all many ways we "mess up" and not on the daily blessings we give to our kids. But God sees. He sees me care and nurture, love and discipline, pray for them and teach them about Him. He sees it. And that's what we should gauge our motherhood journey on. On being the mother God created us to be and seeking Him for guidance. My kids will rise up on day and call be blessed, not because I was perfect but because in my humanity I loved and raised them with the strength that came of the Lord and despite my mistakes I continued on and never gave up. Children see that, just like God does....

My prayer this morning for all us mommies:

Father God,

I pray as I start, continue or end this day that you would help me to see my kids with Your eyes. That I would see them as the mosaic masterpieces that You created. From the foundations of the earth You knew their face. You created them specifically and deliberately, with decision and great care. You made them with needs and wants, likes and dislikes, talents and desires and gave them to me. Help to not focus on what mistakes I've made or how I don't measure up, but give me the constant desire to mother them as you made me too. And may I delve into Your peace and knowledge daily through your Word and prayer for guidance in raising these gifts You've given me. Father, you handed me Your creations and trust me to raise them. May I daily walk in the confidence that You have in me. I pray for the Holy Spirit to fill me with Your love and understanding, and may I set an example of You for my kids. I also pray Jesus, for all the mom's in my life. May they be inspired my You and Your word. May this speak to their hearts and give them strength where it's needed. May be lifted up in spirit this morning and every day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Love and Blessings,

What a week!

Hey everyone! Man it's been almost a week, what a horrible blogger I am! Well lets see the last time I was on here was last Tuesday so I guess the rest of the week was basically adjusting to having the kids back in school and getting on a school day schedule. I think the nights were the hardest. Just trying to get them in bed at a decent time so that they aren't exhausted for the morning. It's been going fine though. They all like their teachers and seem to be adjusting just fine. David is doing great in kinder. Thankfully the school was able to secure a third kindergarten teacher so his class size will drop significantly today, (from 45 to 30), so that will be wonderful! I think last week was basically just trying to get through the week. Which is kind of sad but, if David handled that so well he'll just thrive now that the class will be at a more realistic size! And I'm so grateful to God for answering that prayer!

Saturday was my baby shower! It was so nice. Very relaxed and so much fun to see everyone and visit. I got so much stuff for Joseph and for that I am so completely blessed! We even got some gift cards. So it'll be so fun for Chris and I to go get what we still need and stock up on diapers and stuff! I also got to see Katie again, which I was so excited about. I don't get to see her as often as I want to and I don't want to miss out on her growing! She's in the 8lb range now which is so awesome! I'm so proud of Annie for sticking it out breastfeeding and being such a good mommy to my little niece! Katie's thriving and it shows!

And yesterday was Sunday (probable my favorite day of the week). We went to church, which was awesome as it usually is. God has been speaking to me so much lately and I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit has softened my heart in such a way that I've been hearing His voice so clearly lately. I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter and sister. I want badly for people to see God through me in the everyday! Which is something I really want to work on. I also am so thankful for God speaking to Chris is ways too. Living out and taking action on what God's been saying to his heart as well! When we got home from church we did a little prepping in the backyard and Chris and Tom worked so hard laying the sod! We planned on hydroseeding the back like we did the front but with the amount we payed in water to do the front it basically cost the same to just sod the backyard. It looks so beautiful back there. What a difference!

Well I pray for a wonderful week for everyone! I have got to get going here on my day as well. I've got to go grocery shopping after I take David to kinder, but I figured I'd better get on here before another day goes by!

Love and Blessings everyone!

Back to School

Well yesterday was the first day of school! As I've said before, it was bittersweet. It's always hard to feel like I"m sending my babies into the big, bad world when they've been home safe with me all summer. But it was, as usual, harder for me than it was for them. The older kids were fine. And I knew they would be. I walked Jonathan, Nathan and Hannah to the playground, and of course Jonathan spotted his line and was off. I helped Nathan and Hannah to their lines and walked with Hannah and her line to her class. I was able to get a couple pics of her at her desk (she's still not old enough to be humiliated by that yet!) I had to sneak a couple pics of the boys though.

So a couple hours later it was time to take David to kinder. I had butterflies in my stomach to the whole time. While he was fine. We got to the school, met his teacher, she walked us to the classroom and we parents stayed for attendance and watched as she showed them around the class. Where the bathrooms are and what to do, where to hang backpacks and put lunches or snacks, etc....

While they all walked to the office to bring the attendance folder is when us parents made our exit. I waved to David and he smiled and waved. And there I was, walking out with Jeremiah and one less child. It was hard for me. I think it's harder as I get older. You'd think with this being my 4th starting school that it would be a breeze. Not so! It's worse. I think I"m more senstive as I get older. But he had a great day and all the kids were excited to fill me in on their first day! I prayed as I left that Jesus would be in the midst, and of course He was. They all had a great first day and I"m so grateful!

Hope you enjoy the pics! Have a great tuesday everyone!

Happy Friday

Hey all! Happy, happy Friday! The weekend is almost here and this marks the last official weekend of summer vacation for my kiddos. They're off to school on Monday! Yesterday, David and I went to his kindergarten orientation. It was good for him to see his teacher, his classroom and the playground where they'll eat snack and have recess. It was bittersweet for me though. It does not get easier no matter how many kids you have. This being my 4th one going to school and it's as hard as the first. The budget crisis California is experiencing DOES NOT help either.
He will be in a class of 41 students. That sickens me. I can only pray he's not lost in the bunch. And I keep reminding myself, that I am his primary teacher. Chris and I are his primary foundation and will make every effort to see that he learns and keeps up on his work. But nevertheless I'm praying for peaceful transition for him on Monday. He's in the PM kinder too which helps. So he'll start at 10:11 and get out at 1:47 with the other kids.

We go to the school this afternoon (after 5 pm) to see the class lists for Jonathan, Nathan and Hannah. I hope they got the teacher they wanted, but with the cuts the schools are being forced to cope with, who knows. So prayer for that will be greatly appreciated.

Yesterday afternoon Hannah had her last dental appt! Yay! She's finally done! Grammie (my mom) also came and visited yesterday for awhile and picked up Nathan to spend a couple days with her and Papa. I'm so grateful for the one on one time they get. Especially being kids from big families, its a wonderful time for them to be the sole center of attention. So I"m so happy for them to have those times.

The visit with my mom was so nice too. She, Chris and I got to fellowship and talk about America and Israel! We need to be praying for Israel guys! We need to be in deep prayer for our country as well. And no matter what choices our legislation makes we, as Christian believers, need to be constantly in prayer for Israel, the apple of God's eye, and support them always!

Rom 10:1 -My hearts’ desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.

1 Sam 12:22 -Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you (Israel).

*parenthesis added my me

Anyhow, after Hannah's appt, we went and got a dresser for Josephs room. It looks like an official nursery now. And I"m so excited to get some of his stuff put away in there! I'll definitely post a pic of the finished product when I'm done!

I'm also trying something new. In the left column of my blog have a little text that says "what I'm thankful for". I'm to do my very best best to update that daily. I think it'll help my perspective to stay positive and give God the thanks He deserves for the many blessings I have!

Please comment anything your thankful for and I'll add those daily as well! The Lord is so good to us!

Love and Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday

"Oh...."

Hey everyone! I hope you've all had a great weekend. It's been wonderful here. We went to church on Saturday night and it was awesome! Worship was great and the message was well..."oh"....

That probably doesn't make much sense if you didn't make it this weekend or if you don't attend our church but that's pretty much what you left the service thinking. It was on Romans 11:33-36 and that's basically Paul's reaction to what he's taught so far. About where we've been and where we are now and who God is.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who as ever given to God, that Dos should repay him?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen."
Rom 11:33-36

We we taught in church this weekend that the "oh" is exclamatory. Meaning that Paul didn't intend on going here when we was writing. But he was basically so overcome with what he's learned of who God is thus far in Romans that he basically looked back and thought "oh!"

Just thinking of creation. I mean space, the sun, the stars, how vast, how innumerable the stars are and the how vast the galaxies, that we cannot even begin to grasp with human understanding and He spans them with His hand. It does change the way I look at God. It humbles me, and changes the way I pray. God doesn't need my advice or counsel in prayer. He doesn't even need my prayer or worship. But He wants it, He loves it, and He waits for it. So my outlook on prayer and worship is so changed by that word "oh". I'm so humbled that God would bend His ear toward me, and He would rejoice over me and that He would humble Himself to come to this little blue dot of a planet to save me!

On another note...we took a little family outing today to Oak Glen. A little town outside of Yucaipa. I've never been and never knew it existed. But I"m sure glad I know now. It's a quaint little town full of ranches and orchards. Apple stands and bakeries line the streets. It's a place for wholesome family fun and well worth it today! The kids pick some blackberries and ate them as we walked. We intended to pick apples but they weren't quite ready picking yet so were planning on going back in a few weeks to do that. Anyways, as usual I documented our little adventure with many pictures, if you'd like to see them click here.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Blessings,