Some Quiet Time to Reflect

I was sitting at the computer most of last evening, between helping kids with homework, reading with them, listening to the whining, but still trying to get my mommy things done.  I have lost all of my addresses of friends and family, so I've been sending FB messages to lots of people in need of their addresses.  While on the computer, I realized suddenly that the whole house is quiet!  No T.V. on, no radio, hubby is out of town and all the kiddos are in bed.  God uses solitude for such glorious things.  I am so overwhelmingly blessed in this life, that is so fragile and precious.  I love how He reminds me to love my life, not the stuff in it, but the precious many people I have the priviledge to have in my life.  I am in a place of such peace, and I pray it doesn't soon leave.  I am blessed beyond measure to be married to the love of my life, through the good and bad, I will take it all, as long as I know my Saviour is walking with us on this every twisting journey. 
I just needed to get that jotted down, so I don't forget how very blessed I am, and how thankful I am for Christ and his unending love for us all!

Blessings,
A

Peace and Quiet (for the moment)

Today I decided I needed, as well as the kids needed, a break from one an other for a few hours.  So I headed up north, dropped off my babies at a sweet friends house and headed on my way home.  Of course I had oodles of things on my to do list in my head since my house would be empty, but got a text from my mom to go hit some garage sales instead.  Some days I loath them, other days I love them (garage sales that is:-), but because I'm trying to stock pile clothes for the kiddos and have an ongoing inventory, I decided to tag along.  My youngest two have more than they need for the upcoming winter, and about the same amount for summer 2012 as well.  That leaves me with the oldest two in dire need of clothes and shoes, so I decided to go to some sales instead of working on my to do list.  In hind site, probably not a good idea, but let me tell you, I got some wonderful clothes from a dear friends sale for the two oldest, and hit numerous others and scored fairly well at those too.  The deal of the day however was a gently used bike for my oldest girl and a bag full of name brand clothes, all for the low, low cost of, are you ready for this, $22!!!
I know, I get excited over silly stuff, but just the realization of how much money I saved at only one garage sale, made my day.  And now my big girl finally has a bike that will accommodate her lanky legs:-)  And it's in great condition, which makes it a double bonus.  I think the kids will be pleased with all the loot, I know I sure am. 
Now I'm home, and as you well can read, I am typing this blog entry, because I am so about what only a few dollars can get you if you're willing to go and look for it and barter a little if need be.  But I must get some house work done so that I'm not paying for child care so I can spend money at garage sales;-)

God blesses us every day in distinct and unique ways, but what matters is if you recognize those blessings when they are there and thank Him for them.  It may sound trivial to some, but for me and our budget, God blessed us immensely today answering my prayers of finding a new bike and clothes for the two kids that need them.  I have found that when I don't pray and ask, I run into the temptation to buy much more than we need, and always for the kids that don't need it.  I just have to be willing to ask, seek and go.  God truly is in all the small details.  Today I give him praise for helping me accomplish a step on the way to my budgeting and stock piling goals. 

What blessings are you thankful for today?

Blessings,
A

Leaning on Him

  Today I find myself, I guess you could say a little blue.  You see over the past couple of years I have watched most of my precious close friendships fade to mostly acquaintances, and it has become overwhelmingly sad for me.  God reminded me this morning in His subtle way, that no matter how many or how few earthly friends I have, He is the one I should ALWAYS lean on for support.  That realization has brought me much comfort.  I still mourn these friendships, but I know that the Lord has different ones in store for me in the future, I only need be patient and focus my energies on my relationship with him rather than dwelling on what I can not change.  After all, my relationship with Him is the most important relationship I can have, a long with that of my hubs:-)  I love all the ladies in my life, no matter the disconnect, and will always cherish the friendships, and thank God daily for the past, present, and future friends He has as will put in life.  Having the time to sit down and type this out, has in a way given me some much needed closer, and most importantly, reminded me that my relationship with God has as well been fading, and it is up to me to fix that!

I am so thankful to have my babies home for the summer, and it chokes me up every time I think about school starting again and them leaving me once again. Selfish I know.  I have challenged myself to do more than just chores and sitting at home with them though. They deserve to have an active mom, who wants to spend time with them having fun:-)  We have had some play dates, and sleep overs, and they definitely want to do more.  Some zoo trips have happened, and more are planned.  And a special 10th birthday vacation will be happening in the very near future for one very special little (oops, big) girl and her momma:-)

My hubs and I have been blessed with some much needed dates here and there, but it never seems like we get to often enough.  We have a on going joke about our most common date being one to TSC (tractor supply co, for those you who didn't know:-).  It seems as though every time he needs to go pick up something there, weekly at best, we end up going together.  You know, it's actually been nice to spend any time we can together, even if it is to TSC.  Don't we lead such glamorous lives? ;-)

Even though I started this day in a funk, I am counting my many blessings one at a time, to ensure that I don't overwhelm myself with what worries my heart.  God and my precious family is what holds this girl together!  Enough said.

Don't waste valuable time fretting about what you can not change, but focus on what you can and all the blessings God has given you.

Blessings
A

A Great Day!

  If you know me well, you know that I have a love, kinda like, relationship with my two year old daughter.  I loving refer to her as, dun dun dun, NUMBER 4;-)  I have been known to say to people in Walmart, when she's throwing a fit, as she always does in any store, that she is number four, but if she had been first she'd be an only child. What kind of a mother says this about the very child that grew in her womb for nine months, and gave birth to her, unmedicated and sixteen hours long I might add?  I ask again, what kind of mother says these things?  Me, that's who.  I am very much aware of the blessing she is to me and our family, and I praise God daily for her and my other three blessings!  But, long pause..., she drains me most every day, of all energy and the will to be, well, nice.  A little too transparent for ya?  Sorry, but that's me, take me or leave me.

  Ok, now that I have your attention, and have all that off my chest, I want to tell you about the wonderful day we shared together yesterday.  I love how God works, in so many ways.  But the way he gently reminds me of the miracles these children of mine truly are, is quite frankly a miracle in of itself!  When you pray for four long years to be called "Mommy, Mama, Mom", and then you hear it all  the time, usually in a not so nice tone, it's hard to remember that God gave these precious babies to me and it is my responsibility to love them, no matter what.  Thankfully, I know He loves them more than I ever could, so those gaps are always filled on my not so nice days.  I do have to frequently humble myself though, and ask them for forgiveness for my not so nice behavior:-(  But I know that's all his plan as well. 

  Any way, back to my great day with number four.  We started out our day with an early morning trip to Hyvee to get some good deals and all the wonderful freebies they dole out to the kiddos,  then went to the accountants office to drop off our e-file papers (yay for returns), and went home for a good nap (#4 took the nap:-).  While she was napping I worked on my new couponing binder, over whelmed much?  I got to take a quiet shower, put on my make up alone, and do my hair alone.  Once she woke up we went and grabbed some Wendy's for lunch and took it to the zoo, where we had so much fun together.  I am rambling, oh my, I must be quiet.  Here are a few pictures of our great day together!

She really is a precious child, and I am eternally grateful to my Lord for having enough faith in me to allow me the privilege of being her mama!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, and for being good friends and encouraging me when I have bad mama days:-) 

Blessings,

a

A long time coming....Part I

Well, after four months of living in our new/old/remodeled home I have finally decided to post some pictures.  Mostly for one special friend in Texas who hasn't seen it yet and keeps dinging me about it, but also for all my friends and family who are curious, haven't seen it since we gutted it, haven't seen it since we started renovations, or just haven't seen it!  Hope you enjoy the slide show:-)   
These are the before pictures:

Family Room

Kitchen YUCK!

Kitchen Yuck, yuck

Kitchen and look into the mold ridden laundry!

Laundry room = nastiness and mold

More laundry and mold (wall w/ door will soon be gone!)

Living room

Upstairs landing

Avery's room - The only room we did nothing to except the flooring.  We just couldn't cover the murals:-)

Brianna's built in desk.  Tilt your head to the left, I forgot to rotate this one;-)

Another pic of upstairs landing-future home of kids' t.v./wii room.

Another pic of Avery's mural.

Aren't these the cutest, chubbiest, fuzziest pony and cow you've ever seen? 

Have you asked yourself why we would possibly want to endure this?  We did, but the end result is so worth it.  Can honestly say we will never, ever do this again though!

Sorry for the teaser but for some reason the renovation pictures won't upload, so stayed tuned tomorrow  

for

    PART II:-)

Blessings!

a

Friendship

  I had fully intended on typing this entry to start the week on Monday, but alas, I have been sick all week.  Blek!  I know, that's not a word;-) 
 
God really spoke to my heart on Sunday evening and into Monday, about just how vitally important friendship is.  I am taking today to honor all of my precious friends the Lord has so graciously blessed me with.  I am undeserving, but so grateful to you for loving me, even when I'm not too lovable.  I have friends that are like sisters to me, coming from having only a brother, that is truly precious!  They have seen me through so much of my life's drama thus far, and Lord willing, if they are able to tolerate me, they will be here for what's next in my life.  The good, the bad, and the uggellleee! (new spelling).  There is so much to be said for a person who is willing to listen, I'm not so good at that, and really hear you, and then with Christ's love, show mercy and compassion, even if I don't deserve it.  But on the other hand, are willing to tell me what I don't want to hear, because I need to hear it.

  Even friends that have drifted, I still consider my family, because they KNOW me, and we can pick up where we left off and never miss a beat.  I have friends who live far away, that even through the hundreds of miles that separate us, still have my heart!  We know each other, almost better than we know ourselves, or is it that we are so alike?  I don't know, but whatever it is, God knows how much I need these women in my life.  The miles don't seem to make a difference in the connection or bond we have, but the distance makes it hard to get that much needed hug, coffee, or face time:-)

  When I find myself feeling lonely or sorry for me, I know I have any number of women to call on.  And the miracle of it all, is they are there, and usually, God prompts them before I ever make that call.  I am so uplifted by the relationship these beautiful women have with their savior, and honestly convicted that I am not the same friend to them as they are to me.

  *I lift these angels to you Father God, and pray for blessings on them of all kinds.  They are all wonderful mothers, wives, and friends.  I count myself among the blessed to have such angels in this earthly life, and praise you that I get to spend eternity with them.  I pray for listening qualities, compassion, fortitude, humor, organizational skills;-), and selflessness, so that I can some how be "that" friend to them.  I praise and thank you for giving me wise Godly women to count as my friends.  I pray these things in Christ's precious name.   Amen.
 
Have a blessed day!
a

Spring Break!

  Today, my four kiddos and I are being too lazy, especially when we have so much to get done.  Am I a horrible mother for making them clean and organize on their much beloved spring break?  My only son just got done having a minor melt down over dumping and taking out the trash, because at the moment, his sisters aren't doing their chores.  Oh what a life my kids have, living with such a demanding mom;-)  If they only knew what some of their other friends have to do for chores, they would be kissing me daily for the little they have to do.

Sorry I digress!  Isn't she adorable:-)

  I have a goal, to get each of their bedrooms back in shape.  Weeding out all the unnecessary, unplayed with, or just plain over abundant supply of toys, reorganizing (and praying they stay that way), swapping winter clothes for spring clothes (yay!!), and of course cleaning too. 
  I also started a project this weekend, which I thought would be completed before Monday, but not for the obstacles, it would have be done.  That said, I have over half of all the "stuff" from our closed in front porch scattered throughout the first floor in an attempt to reorganize the front porch area.  Why does organizing make such an  unorganized chaotic mess?  Makes me not want to ever organize another thing!
  Well, I have vented, and I feel much better.  Thank you for listening.  Tune in tomorrow for another episode of "This Unorganized House".
  Have a blessed day, and get outside to enjoy the beauty God has given, before it rains;-)


A

I'm Baack!

It has been too, too long friends, and I have missed you all:-)  I'm sure you haven't missed my ramblings as much as I have missed writing them though.  I don't even really know where to start other than to say that God is good!  He has brought me through much, and continues to stretch me daily.

We are in our new/old/remodeled house, finally, and thankfully.  December 23rd we moved over our beds and a T.V. so that the kids could have Christmas in their new home and it was wonderful.  Since then we have had a few hiccups with the house, one of those that could have been nearly catastrophic to my man and myself.  Oh what we will do to have beautiful "things".  I won't bore you with the details, but if you just have to know, here's a sneak peak into what may or may not have happened.  See if you can figure it out;-)
  *two holes in the newly sheet rocked and finished ceiling (3-4" in dia each)
  *five pieces of new hickory flooring ruined
  *two cabinet doors torn up
  *one brand new, used twice, smashed through glass on stove door
  *one very, very nasty looking arm for me with the scar tissue to prove it

Have you guessed yet?  I will save you the suspense.  A grinder being used on the stone counter top exploded and I mean exploded into four, very large chunks and wreaked havoc on our new beautiful kitchen.  The stove, after four weeks, finally is usable, but we have yet to tackle the rest.  This too shall pass, or um, get done that is!  Oops, I said I wouldn't bore you and I did.  So sorry!

Any way, that is just the beginning of our journey into owning an over seventy year old home.  We do love it though, and the kids are still getting used to all the space it provides them to run (against our rules) and play.

I hope you all are staying well with all the crud that's being passed around.  I know in the seven weeks we've lived here, someone has been sick, except the man of the house.  No far, but thankfully at least he has stayed well, right?  I kid, I am very grateful to the Lord for his provision over his health. 

Have a blessed Sunday rejoicing in what our God has done for us all. 

Love
a