"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
- II Corinthians 12:9
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Zulily
I have discovered the amazing world of Zulily. I've heard lots of friends talk about it, and after searching everywhere for church dresses for my two toddler girls, I looked at Zulily, an online company. Over the past couple weeks, I've found Easter dresses as well as other Sunday dresses for half the cost I would find the same dresses (even same brand names) at discount stores such as Ross, TJ Max, and Burlington Coat Factory. You will recognize the brands, so you know the quality. You will see lots of new sales and products every day. Their products mainly feature clothing for babies, children, and women, but have men's clothing every once in a while as well. They also have decorating products, home storage and organization products, and well, a little bit of everything. I'm terribly addicted, I check every morning when they post their new deals just to see if something I've been looking for is on a super sale! Check it out here: Zulily
Monday, February 11, 2013
Truth for Today
Discouraging Thought: I did not sign up for this.
Encouraging Truth: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28, 29
Loving Instruction: "Cast your burden on the Lord . . . " - Psalm 55:22a
Our Reward: ". . . and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
- Psalm 55:22b
I really hope I'm not the only mama who has ever felt like saying out loud "Well, this wasn't in the parenting books." and "I did not sign up for this." Tonight has been one of those nights. After assembling a bookshelf, folding laundry, paying bills, and doing some cleaning/organizing, my back was pretty much shot. (I realize I overdid it on the physical activities today, but nesting always comes very early for me.) Then I hear my 12 month old baby crying. Not a normal cry, a coughing, choking cry. Going in to check on him, I could smell the problem before I could see it. Puke. Everywhere. And hubby is at work. So I try to bend sideways into the crib, trying not to seriously squish my other baby, straining to lift my sopping son from his bed. While I run to the tub so as to catch any remaining puke, I go through the game plan in my head: strip baby, wipe down baby, redress baby, change sheets. By myself. While a sick baby cries, not wanting to be put down. I start crying to Jesus. Lord, you know my back is killing me and I can't bend over the tub to completely bathe my son. You know I can't bend over the crib all the way easily. You know I am exhausted. You know I am alone. And then I felt an answer in multiple little ways that are huge blessings when you have a puking baby. I had just folded laundry, still laying on the couch, a clean sleeper and sheets just waiting to be grabbed. The mess had stayed contained to not just the crib, but only the parts of the crib sheet that were on top of the waterproof pad. My baby didn't need a full bath, just his hands and mouth washed off. Only one of the two blankets he normally sleeps with got dirty. So an hour later, when the situation repeated itself, I rejoiced in the fact that I'm not alone, that God hears my insignificant prayers about an aching back and a puky baby. He will sustain me. He will give me rest.
Encouraging Truth: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28, 29
Loving Instruction: "Cast your burden on the Lord . . . " - Psalm 55:22a
Our Reward: ". . . and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
- Psalm 55:22b
I really hope I'm not the only mama who has ever felt like saying out loud "Well, this wasn't in the parenting books." and "I did not sign up for this." Tonight has been one of those nights. After assembling a bookshelf, folding laundry, paying bills, and doing some cleaning/organizing, my back was pretty much shot. (I realize I overdid it on the physical activities today, but nesting always comes very early for me.) Then I hear my 12 month old baby crying. Not a normal cry, a coughing, choking cry. Going in to check on him, I could smell the problem before I could see it. Puke. Everywhere. And hubby is at work. So I try to bend sideways into the crib, trying not to seriously squish my other baby, straining to lift my sopping son from his bed. While I run to the tub so as to catch any remaining puke, I go through the game plan in my head: strip baby, wipe down baby, redress baby, change sheets. By myself. While a sick baby cries, not wanting to be put down. I start crying to Jesus. Lord, you know my back is killing me and I can't bend over the tub to completely bathe my son. You know I can't bend over the crib all the way easily. You know I am exhausted. You know I am alone. And then I felt an answer in multiple little ways that are huge blessings when you have a puking baby. I had just folded laundry, still laying on the couch, a clean sleeper and sheets just waiting to be grabbed. The mess had stayed contained to not just the crib, but only the parts of the crib sheet that were on top of the waterproof pad. My baby didn't need a full bath, just his hands and mouth washed off. Only one of the two blankets he normally sleeps with got dirty. So an hour later, when the situation repeated itself, I rejoiced in the fact that I'm not alone, that God hears my insignificant prayers about an aching back and a puky baby. He will sustain me. He will give me rest.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Prayer
There are lots of different prayers spoken by us moms.
There are prayers of desperation, silently thrown at the feet of Jesus as we go about our day. When the demands of little people just seem to be too much for one woman to handle.
There are prayers of fear, yelled aloud in moments of terror. I've experienced this while watching my two day old baby turn blue.
There are thoughtful prayers, two word prayers, and many more. But perhaps my favorite, are forgotten prayers. Those prayers that were uttered from the depths of your heart, sharing your desires with Jesus. The prayers that weeks or months later, you remember, as God is answering each and every detail. I remembered such a prayer last week. Soon after our baby boy was born, the hubby and I were discussing taking permanent measures, debating between three or four children. We had always said we felt an even number would be best, but with three so close together, we didn't know if we could handle any more. We prayed about it, together and separately. And I remember praying in the shower, where I do most of my serious thinking and praying, that God would do what was best for our family. I prayed that if God wanted us to have a fourth, He would allow that to happen before we did take permanent measures. That if He gave us a fourth, it would be born between 15 and 18 months after baby boy's birthday. I told God that I wanted a fourth, but I didn't want one baby too far apart from three that were so close together. I told Him that my heart's desire was to have at least one more, but I just didn't know if that's what was right for our family - or if we could handle it. I told Him that if He did give us a fourth, I would really like baby boy to have a brother. I told God lots of things and trusted Him to do what's best. He's our Daddy and wants to hear what is on our hearts. He wants to give us good things.
And here I am, pregnant with Baby #4, a boy, due exactly 17 months after his big brother's birthday. God is good.
There are prayers of desperation, silently thrown at the feet of Jesus as we go about our day. When the demands of little people just seem to be too much for one woman to handle.
There are prayers of fear, yelled aloud in moments of terror. I've experienced this while watching my two day old baby turn blue.
There are thoughtful prayers, two word prayers, and many more. But perhaps my favorite, are forgotten prayers. Those prayers that were uttered from the depths of your heart, sharing your desires with Jesus. The prayers that weeks or months later, you remember, as God is answering each and every detail. I remembered such a prayer last week. Soon after our baby boy was born, the hubby and I were discussing taking permanent measures, debating between three or four children. We had always said we felt an even number would be best, but with three so close together, we didn't know if we could handle any more. We prayed about it, together and separately. And I remember praying in the shower, where I do most of my serious thinking and praying, that God would do what was best for our family. I prayed that if God wanted us to have a fourth, He would allow that to happen before we did take permanent measures. That if He gave us a fourth, it would be born between 15 and 18 months after baby boy's birthday. I told God that I wanted a fourth, but I didn't want one baby too far apart from three that were so close together. I told Him that my heart's desire was to have at least one more, but I just didn't know if that's what was right for our family - or if we could handle it. I told Him that if He did give us a fourth, I would really like baby boy to have a brother. I told God lots of things and trusted Him to do what's best. He's our Daddy and wants to hear what is on our hearts. He wants to give us good things.
And here I am, pregnant with Baby #4, a boy, due exactly 17 months after his big brother's birthday. God is good.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Knit Together
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."
- Jeremiah 1:5a
Our beautiful, healthy baby BOY at 20 weeks.
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