My heart is heavy this Thanksgiving for all my friends who are hurting. One lost a mother, another a child, others struggle to make ends meet. How can I be thankful in the midst of such pain?
Habakkuk 3:17-18
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
God has given me (and thankfully my hurting friends) the gift of ETERNAL LIFE through his son Jesus Christ. He has taken away ALL my sin and one day I will live with him where he will "wipe every tear from our eye." Yes, I can rejoice! I have MUCH to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
What about you? Do you have reason to be thankful this year despite your circumstances? God's gift of Christ is FREE for all who will receive him!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
snack and share
A couple times a month Hannah has to bring a snack to share with her class. She also gets to bring a special toy or stuffed animal from home to show for show-and-tell that day. So on Friday Hannah comes home with the new October snack schedule and of course she's the first snack girl for the month, which means, she needs 20 snacks by Monday. I find this out on Friday night. Saturday, I ran a race the ENTIRE day...seriously. We were literally RUNNING for almost 11 hours straight. Which doesn't exactly leave you with much time or energy for snack shopping. But some how I manage to find the time to run to the store and pick up a couple boxes of granola bars. Crisis averted. And, the best part is that even though Sunday was a little busy (worship team, teaching Sunday School and hosting Small group at our house that night) I still managed to have everything in order for school the next day. Lunch packed. Papers signed. Snack in backpack.
When I go pick up Hannah from school she tells me about her day and how it's a good thing that Brooke was sick because I only sent 16 snacks. Ok--not that big of a deal, but I was feeling very much like a failure because her teacher has told us a million times to send 20 snacks! I just thought each box had 10 granola bars. I guess it only had 8. Then she goes on about how poor Teagan couldn't eat her snack because she has a peanut allergy. WHAT? Now I am actually very sensitive to kids with peanut allergies because one of Hannah's very good friends is severely allergic to them. I check every label and always try to get snacks that are peanut allergy free. However, I SPECIFICALLY remember thinking that Hannah must not have any peanut allergies in her class because her teachers has NEVER told us that. (well...if she did I just obviously missed it.) And if they did have a kid with a peanut allergy they certainly should have mentioned that!
I get home from gymnastics and the first thing out of my dear husbands mouth is "what happened with snack time today? Hannah's teacher sent home an email reminding parents to bring 20 snacks and to remember that they have a child allergic to peanuts in their class."
I felt HORRIBLE. I felt like an insensitive, irresponsible parent....and I'M NOT!!!!!
Just had to get that off my chest. I messed up snack horribly. I honestly didn't know about any such allergies and I just didn't check the number of granola bars in the box.
Here's to hoping that next time around snack times goes a little better.
When I go pick up Hannah from school she tells me about her day and how it's a good thing that Brooke was sick because I only sent 16 snacks. Ok--not that big of a deal, but I was feeling very much like a failure because her teacher has told us a million times to send 20 snacks! I just thought each box had 10 granola bars. I guess it only had 8. Then she goes on about how poor Teagan couldn't eat her snack because she has a peanut allergy. WHAT? Now I am actually very sensitive to kids with peanut allergies because one of Hannah's very good friends is severely allergic to them. I check every label and always try to get snacks that are peanut allergy free. However, I SPECIFICALLY remember thinking that Hannah must not have any peanut allergies in her class because her teachers has NEVER told us that. (well...if she did I just obviously missed it.) And if they did have a kid with a peanut allergy they certainly should have mentioned that!
I get home from gymnastics and the first thing out of my dear husbands mouth is "what happened with snack time today? Hannah's teacher sent home an email reminding parents to bring 20 snacks and to remember that they have a child allergic to peanuts in their class."
I felt HORRIBLE. I felt like an insensitive, irresponsible parent....and I'M NOT!!!!!
Just had to get that off my chest. I messed up snack horribly. I honestly didn't know about any such allergies and I just didn't check the number of granola bars in the box.
Here's to hoping that next time around snack times goes a little better.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
bitter sweet
Bitter sweet. That's the season of life I'm in right now. The sweet part is that I LOVE the stage my kids are in. My days are no longer filled with sleepless nights, diapers, constant tears (from mommy and child), continuous discipline.... NO breaks. And although there was much to love about that season of life I'm thankful that I'm done with it for now. I love watching my children grow and blossom into beautiful little people. I love that they are growing up and changing and maturing. I love how they love each other. (Seriously, when we pick up Hannah from school Caden gives her a hug and kiss. Every day.) I love getting time to play one on one with Caden during the day while Hannah's away at school. I love the relaxed pace of the day; enjoying a little time to myself during nap time.
The other night we had friends over for dinner and Hannah came inside to help me. And it was actually helpful! I well remember those days of her wanting to "help" when she was younger and how it always ended up being more work. I remember in those times thinking how wonderful it would be when she actually could help. And now she can. I love it. I love getting ready for a party with her.
The bitter part. Well, they're growing up. I dropped off Hannah for school on Friday and cried my little heart out the whole way home. I cannot describe how much I miss her when she's gone. Our house is just not the same without my bubbly, energetic, happy-go-lucky little girl around. She just brightens up each day. And when she comes home she goes right outside to play with her friends. And my momma's heart aches just a little.
Caden. I can't believe how much he's grown up over the last year. He's definitely grown close to his Daddy, which I am SO thankful for. But he's my BABY! And my momma's heart aches for my little boy to sit in my lap and hug on his mommy and tell her she's bootiful!
It's just so hard and so wonderful all at the same time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time."
The other night we had friends over for dinner and Hannah came inside to help me. And it was actually helpful! I well remember those days of her wanting to "help" when she was younger and how it always ended up being more work. I remember in those times thinking how wonderful it would be when she actually could help. And now she can. I love it. I love getting ready for a party with her.
The bitter part. Well, they're growing up. I dropped off Hannah for school on Friday and cried my little heart out the whole way home. I cannot describe how much I miss her when she's gone. Our house is just not the same without my bubbly, energetic, happy-go-lucky little girl around. She just brightens up each day. And when she comes home she goes right outside to play with her friends. And my momma's heart aches just a little.
Caden. I can't believe how much he's grown up over the last year. He's definitely grown close to his Daddy, which I am SO thankful for. But he's my BABY! And my momma's heart aches for my little boy to sit in my lap and hug on his mommy and tell her she's bootiful!
It's just so hard and so wonderful all at the same time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time."
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Extreme Home Makeover - Hannah's room edition
It all started when a good friend of mine sent me a coupon for free delivery from Nebraska Furniture Mart. She knew that we were looking for bed rails for our kids...and that was all. Our poor children have been sleeping on mattresses on the floor for almost two years! And actually, Hannah hasn't had a bed since her crib! There really were many legitimate reasons... first being that fact that we were moving houses and didn't want to buy a single bed frame for Hannah when we knew she'd have a double bed. Then we didn't buy a double bed frame because we were planning on having more kids and didn't know what room she'd be in and what size bed she'd have. Plus, I really wanted a white bed for her but not for Caden and if I bought the white single bed frame and then the kids had to change rooms it would just mess everything up.
Little more info then you needed but you get the point.
So, we set off for NFM, coupon in hand, planning on buying both the kids bed frames. Well, I got a little distracted by the beautiful white bed I saw for Hannah. And then we figured we might as well get her the dresser to go with it. After our purchase we took the kids to Red Mango and I got the brilliant idea to surprise Hannah with a room makeover. She already knew that she'd be getting new furniture, but she thought that she'd still be using her old comforter (which is for a single bed). I decided I'd get her a new comforter...and then a new lamp...and then a canopy for over the bed...and a new bulletin board...and then a new mirror. (I really don't like those bedroom sets that are all matchy with the mirror over the dresser and I knew I could think of something much better.) I really wanted to get her a desk as well but that's gonna have to wait for her Christmas present.
After weeks of planning we surprised her on Thursday when she got home from school. I have to say it turned out pretty cute! Needless to say she was VERY surprised and LOVES her new room.
Here, take a look
I am in LOVE with this mirror! It's one that we had at our old house and I just couldn't part with it because I really liked it. So I painted it turquoise (Hannah's favorite color) and now I love it even more. So girly and fun!
Little more info then you needed but you get the point.
So, we set off for NFM, coupon in hand, planning on buying both the kids bed frames. Well, I got a little distracted by the beautiful white bed I saw for Hannah. And then we figured we might as well get her the dresser to go with it. After our purchase we took the kids to Red Mango and I got the brilliant idea to surprise Hannah with a room makeover. She already knew that she'd be getting new furniture, but she thought that she'd still be using her old comforter (which is for a single bed). I decided I'd get her a new comforter...and then a new lamp...and then a canopy for over the bed...and a new bulletin board...and then a new mirror. (I really don't like those bedroom sets that are all matchy with the mirror over the dresser and I knew I could think of something much better.) I really wanted to get her a desk as well but that's gonna have to wait for her Christmas present.
After weeks of planning we surprised her on Thursday when she got home from school. I have to say it turned out pretty cute! Needless to say she was VERY surprised and LOVES her new room.
Here, take a look
I am in LOVE with this mirror! It's one that we had at our old house and I just couldn't part with it because I really liked it. So I painted it turquoise (Hannah's favorite color) and now I love it even more. So girly and fun!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
no regrets
By the time bedtime roles around at our house I'm tired. Very tired. I don't have much patience left so I normally try to rush bedtime and get the kids down as quickly as possibly. I figure I spend plenty of time with them during the day, right? But recently I read something that really struck me. It was an article about parenting and it said to take time to talk with your kids. It especially mentioned bedtime being a time that kids will normally open up and share about their day. If you don't listen to your kids while their young, they won't talk when they're older.
So the other night Hannah was calling from her room, which we are NOT allowed to do unless the tornado siren is going off or it's an emergency. And by emergency I don't mean a hang nail or a parched throat!. However, everyone once in a while my kids still try to stall at bedtime and call for us after they've been tucked. They generally want another hug and kiss or want their back rubbed. I'm a stickler when it comes to bedtime routine and I almost always respond to their pleas with "It's bedtime. Go to bed." But this particular night as Hannah was calling for her back to be rubbed I gave it some serious thought before I responded. My little girl is already 6 and I feel like she's already outgrowing her little girl phase. I don't want to look back and feel like I missed out on her growing up years. I've read many an email forward from older women about what they would have done differently if they could relive life again. Not one of those women has ever said "I wish I would not have rubbed my daughters back so much!" Nope. They all say "I should have rubbed backs more often." And so, on this night I went right up to Hannah's room and I rubbed her back. And it was wonderful. She laid so still and just chatted to me about the day and said at least 100 times, "Mommy, I love you."
It was a night I'll remember for a long time and I know Hannah will too.
So the other night Hannah was calling from her room, which we are NOT allowed to do unless the tornado siren is going off or it's an emergency. And by emergency I don't mean a hang nail or a parched throat!. However, everyone once in a while my kids still try to stall at bedtime and call for us after they've been tucked. They generally want another hug and kiss or want their back rubbed. I'm a stickler when it comes to bedtime routine and I almost always respond to their pleas with "It's bedtime. Go to bed." But this particular night as Hannah was calling for her back to be rubbed I gave it some serious thought before I responded. My little girl is already 6 and I feel like she's already outgrowing her little girl phase. I don't want to look back and feel like I missed out on her growing up years. I've read many an email forward from older women about what they would have done differently if they could relive life again. Not one of those women has ever said "I wish I would not have rubbed my daughters back so much!" Nope. They all say "I should have rubbed backs more often." And so, on this night I went right up to Hannah's room and I rubbed her back. And it was wonderful. She laid so still and just chatted to me about the day and said at least 100 times, "Mommy, I love you."
It was a night I'll remember for a long time and I know Hannah will too.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
rejoice
I've noticed something lately. We are a finicky, complaining people. Just step outside and you'll be sure to hear people complain that it's to hot, it's to cold, there's to much snow, it's not sunny enough, it's to windy. We're never quite satisfied. We're always longing for better and more. So I've decided something. Today, I will be grateful for the air conditioning and the pools and the ice in my drink and the sunscreen to protect me and the home that shelters me. Today I will choose to rejoice! Will you join me?
Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it."
Friday, July 22, 2011
my child's eyes
I wish I could see life through their eyes.
Every day an adventure to be had.
Picking wildflowers.
Swimming with friends.
Eating ice cream.
I love the wonder in their eyes when they discover a robin's egg. Turquoise with spots.
The joy of finding a toad, chasing it down the street, happy screams all the way.
Riding bikes.
Playing at the park, sand in the toes, sand on their arms, in their hair, sticking to their sweaty, sun-screened little bodies.
Doing flips on the rings.
Picnics with their mommy.
Firefly in a jar.
Forts on a rainy day.
Books read in the shade.
Racing up the stairs.
Giggles. Lots of giggles.
Jumping off the diving board.
Licking the beater with chocolate chip cookie dough.
Kisses. And hugs. Lots of them. All the time.
Laying heads on pillows at night exhausted from the adventures of the day. But still the energy for sweet songs to sing.
They drink every ounce of nectar out of life. Every ounce.
They live everyday FULL.
And I pray that God renews my eyes to see life the way they do. To live every moment FULL. Full of wonder and awe and marvel.
Job 37:14
"stop and consider God's wonders."
Every day an adventure to be had.
Picking wildflowers.
Swimming with friends.
Eating ice cream.
I love the wonder in their eyes when they discover a robin's egg. Turquoise with spots.
The joy of finding a toad, chasing it down the street, happy screams all the way.
Riding bikes.
Playing at the park, sand in the toes, sand on their arms, in their hair, sticking to their sweaty, sun-screened little bodies.
Doing flips on the rings.
Picnics with their mommy.
Firefly in a jar.
Forts on a rainy day.
Books read in the shade.
Racing up the stairs.
Giggles. Lots of giggles.
Jumping off the diving board.
Licking the beater with chocolate chip cookie dough.
Kisses. And hugs. Lots of them. All the time.
Laying heads on pillows at night exhausted from the adventures of the day. But still the energy for sweet songs to sing.
They drink every ounce of nectar out of life. Every ounce.
They live everyday FULL.
And I pray that God renews my eyes to see life the way they do. To live every moment FULL. Full of wonder and awe and marvel.
Job 37:14
"stop and consider God's wonders."
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lake McConaughy
We met up with Jill and Derek this weekend at Lake McConaughy. The kids LOVE camping and it was so fun for them to get time with their aunt and uncle. Apparently it was SUPER hot the entire weekend but I didn't notice it at all. We spent most of the time in the water or in the shade back at camp. The one disappointment was the beach, or lack there of.
Here's what it looked like two years ago when we camped.
And here's what it looked like this time.
With all the flooding there's not much beach left, but that's didn't stop us from having a great time.
I LOVE Hannah's adventuresomness!
Here's what it looked like two years ago when we camped.
And here's what it looked like this time.
With all the flooding there's not much beach left, but that's didn't stop us from having a great time.
I LOVE Hannah's adventuresomness!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Easter dress
Do you ever have those times when you're shopping in certain stores and you just feel out of place. I'm pretty much a Target, Kohls, Old Navy kind of girl and I just feel a little out of place when I'm at nice stores. I feel like they're looking at me like "what are you doing here." Anyway, all that to say, when Chris and I were in Clearwater I was having one of those days where I wasn't feeling overly confident about myself and I just kinda felt a little out place. We were shopping at all the little beach shops by our hotel and it wasn't that they were upscale by any means but I just didn't feel I fit in with the culture. Get what I mean?
So, we were at a surf store and Chris and I had been looking around and we walk to the back. Apparently one of the female workers thought I have left and started talking about what I was wearing. "Did you see that girls dress! It looked like an Easter basket with pastel pink and blue stripes."
OK--so I know I'm not totally hip with all the styles, but if I'm honest I think I dress fairly well... like a 30 year old...not like a 16 year old beach shop girl. Anyway, I was CRUSHED! I just couldn't believe that someone would be so mean. Plus, I was so embarrassed and I still had to walk out of the shop for all her co workers to see.
Chris and I walked down to another store and I grabbed his hand and started BAWLING! Now I actually find it kind of funny but at the time it was NOT! Thankfully Chris just held me and told me that he loved me. Then he said "I hope this doesn't mean that you'll never wear that dress again." You know what? There was a time not that long ago where I probably would have thrown that dress away and NEVER worn it again! But not now. It's not that peoples words don't hurt me anymore, they obviously still do. But what I remembered that day was what CHRIST says about me. I don't have to live for the approval of others because I already have the approval of the ONE who matters. Not my husbands approval (although he does love me), but CHRIST'S approval.
HE says I'm beautiful!
Zeph 3:17
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take GREAT DELIGHT in you, he will quiet you with his LOVE, he will REJOICE over you with singing!"
Ephesians 2:10a
"For you are God's WORKMANSHIP"
Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
And the other cool part of that story is that the day I got back to Orlando to see my sweet Hannah I told her all about the Easter dress. I told her that even mommy's get made fun of and it really hurts, I don't think that part will ever go away. It's what we do with those feelings of worthlessness and rejection and comparing ourselves to others. We have to take it to Christ and remember that he created us and he LOVES us just the way we are!
And, because I know you all are just DIEING to see the dress, here I am in all my Easter basket glory!
So, we were at a surf store and Chris and I had been looking around and we walk to the back. Apparently one of the female workers thought I have left and started talking about what I was wearing. "Did you see that girls dress! It looked like an Easter basket with pastel pink and blue stripes."
OK--so I know I'm not totally hip with all the styles, but if I'm honest I think I dress fairly well... like a 30 year old...not like a 16 year old beach shop girl. Anyway, I was CRUSHED! I just couldn't believe that someone would be so mean. Plus, I was so embarrassed and I still had to walk out of the shop for all her co workers to see.
Chris and I walked down to another store and I grabbed his hand and started BAWLING! Now I actually find it kind of funny but at the time it was NOT! Thankfully Chris just held me and told me that he loved me. Then he said "I hope this doesn't mean that you'll never wear that dress again." You know what? There was a time not that long ago where I probably would have thrown that dress away and NEVER worn it again! But not now. It's not that peoples words don't hurt me anymore, they obviously still do. But what I remembered that day was what CHRIST says about me. I don't have to live for the approval of others because I already have the approval of the ONE who matters. Not my husbands approval (although he does love me), but CHRIST'S approval.
HE says I'm beautiful!
Zeph 3:17
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take GREAT DELIGHT in you, he will quiet you with his LOVE, he will REJOICE over you with singing!"
Ephesians 2:10a
"For you are God's WORKMANSHIP"
Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
And the other cool part of that story is that the day I got back to Orlando to see my sweet Hannah I told her all about the Easter dress. I told her that even mommy's get made fun of and it really hurts, I don't think that part will ever go away. It's what we do with those feelings of worthlessness and rejection and comparing ourselves to others. We have to take it to Christ and remember that he created us and he LOVES us just the way we are!
And, because I know you all are just DIEING to see the dress, here I am in all my Easter basket glory!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
my latest accomplishment
So this morning I went to put away laundry, and naturally being a women I got distracted by my closet. I'm so sick of all the junk in there, especially those pictures that I'm NEVER gonna use anywhere, don't ask me why I've kept them so long. Anyhow, all of a sudden I got the great idea that maybe Hannah's snowman picture (the one she made in art class that got entered into the art fair) would fit in one of those frames. I tried it, had to crop it a little, but it fit and it looked great.
Caden and I went trompsing all around the house trying to figure out where to hang this picture. We finally found the perfect spot right by Hannah's door. So I go drag out the hammer and nails. And then... I realized that this is that super annoying frame from our old house that you have to use screws for and of course it takes two, and of course they have to be PERFECTLY spaced apart. So I get the drill and the screws and the level (because I'm picky like that) and I set to work. I actually am sweating HOT (even though it's like 30 degrees outside) because I am so nervous that I'm gonna put some huge hole in our wall that we'll have to fix and then it never will get fixed because we never fix anything like that...even though we always think we will someday. So, I actually figured out how to get the bit to stay in the drill and I successfully drilled the screws in the wall (there may or may not be several dents around the screw). Then I try to hang the picture. Not good. I don't know how it happened since I triple checked my measurements, but somehow the screws aren't a lined with the holes in the back of the picture. So, after several failed attempts to hammer the screws in the right direction, I gave up and took out the screws and rescrewed them an inch above. I actually figured out how to make the drill take out screws!
Hannah's picture is now proudly displayed right next to her door! It looks so good! And I feel like I could conquer the world!... so look out house, momma is in the zone!
Oh, but first, I better get that laundry put away! :)
Caden and I went trompsing all around the house trying to figure out where to hang this picture. We finally found the perfect spot right by Hannah's door. So I go drag out the hammer and nails. And then... I realized that this is that super annoying frame from our old house that you have to use screws for and of course it takes two, and of course they have to be PERFECTLY spaced apart. So I get the drill and the screws and the level (because I'm picky like that) and I set to work. I actually am sweating HOT (even though it's like 30 degrees outside) because I am so nervous that I'm gonna put some huge hole in our wall that we'll have to fix and then it never will get fixed because we never fix anything like that...even though we always think we will someday. So, I actually figured out how to get the bit to stay in the drill and I successfully drilled the screws in the wall (there may or may not be several dents around the screw). Then I try to hang the picture. Not good. I don't know how it happened since I triple checked my measurements, but somehow the screws aren't a lined with the holes in the back of the picture. So, after several failed attempts to hammer the screws in the right direction, I gave up and took out the screws and rescrewed them an inch above. I actually figured out how to make the drill take out screws!
Hannah's picture is now proudly displayed right next to her door! It looks so good! And I feel like I could conquer the world!... so look out house, momma is in the zone!
Oh, but first, I better get that laundry put away! :)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I'm feeling like a super mom. My kids are sitting in church quietly coloring away while I listen to the sermon with a smile on my face. If one of my kids raises their voices slightly, I gently lean over and remind them to whisper, then tell them that I love them. I'm sure that other mothers are looking at me and thinking what a wonderful mom I am, I speak gently to my kids, no anger in my tone, my kids respond immediately and joyfully to my every request!
OK--so I'm being brutally honest, but haven't we all had those moments where we feel in complete control, our kids are doing exactly what we want, we are remaining composed at all times! Unfortunately that is not the norm for this momma. But as I sat in church that Sunday giving my self a pat on the back I realized something. I realized that all those Sunday's that I'm not being the super mom, the Sunday's I'm giving my kids stern looks, pinching their arms, taking them out of church and feeling the judgement of the entire congregation, my standing with God has not changed AT ALL!
God's not up there in heaven looking down and saying "Rachel, you terrible mother, you screwed it up again, when will you ever learn." NO!!! He's up there looking at me and saying "My dear Rachel, how I LOVE you! You're a sinner, yes, that's why I sent my only son to die for YOU. But when I look at you I don't see an imperfect mom, I see the righteousness of Christ!" WOW! Do you know that? Or do you beat yourself up over your imperfections. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have Godly sorrow over our sin, we should. But what I am saying is that when we come to Christ and confess our sin, then it's done. We don't need to live with constant guilt. It is not about what we do, it's about what Christ has already done! Rest in HIM today! You are LOVED!
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
OK--so I'm being brutally honest, but haven't we all had those moments where we feel in complete control, our kids are doing exactly what we want, we are remaining composed at all times! Unfortunately that is not the norm for this momma. But as I sat in church that Sunday giving my self a pat on the back I realized something. I realized that all those Sunday's that I'm not being the super mom, the Sunday's I'm giving my kids stern looks, pinching their arms, taking them out of church and feeling the judgement of the entire congregation, my standing with God has not changed AT ALL!
God's not up there in heaven looking down and saying "Rachel, you terrible mother, you screwed it up again, when will you ever learn." NO!!! He's up there looking at me and saying "My dear Rachel, how I LOVE you! You're a sinner, yes, that's why I sent my only son to die for YOU. But when I look at you I don't see an imperfect mom, I see the righteousness of Christ!" WOW! Do you know that? Or do you beat yourself up over your imperfections. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have Godly sorrow over our sin, we should. But what I am saying is that when we come to Christ and confess our sin, then it's done. We don't need to live with constant guilt. It is not about what we do, it's about what Christ has already done! Rest in HIM today! You are LOVED!
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Smunderwear
Caden is having fun mixing up words lately. He is constantly talking about smuder, bunder, munderwear. Apparently it's quite normal in kids development for them to go through this phase. And while it may be cute at first let me tell you it gets a little old when you hear it 52 times a day.
Tonight's dinner wasn't going to smoothly. It started with tears, a burned hand, spilled milk, more tears, potty breaks. You get the picture. Basically a typical dinner with kids! So Chris and I are trying to have a serious conversation with Hannah about lies, meanwhile she's balling (for the third time in 10 minutes) and then out of the blue Caden says, "I'm talking about Smunderwear." I just looked at Chris and we both just BURST out laughing! If you can't beat 'em join 'em right??
I never thought I'd say it, but tonight smuderwear is just what this family needed.
Tonight's dinner wasn't going to smoothly. It started with tears, a burned hand, spilled milk, more tears, potty breaks. You get the picture. Basically a typical dinner with kids! So Chris and I are trying to have a serious conversation with Hannah about lies, meanwhile she's balling (for the third time in 10 minutes) and then out of the blue Caden says, "I'm talking about Smunderwear." I just looked at Chris and we both just BURST out laughing! If you can't beat 'em join 'em right??
I never thought I'd say it, but tonight smuderwear is just what this family needed.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
pot pies
On the way home from school today the girl we carpool with was talking about how her mom was making homemade potpie tonight for her brother's birthday. When we got home Hannah says, hey mom, remember those things you bought once at the store, they had like pie crust and then vegetables and meat inside. I'm like, yeah, potpies. She asks if we can please get some the next time we go to the store. So I say fine.
This afternoon we go to get our groceries and Hannah spots the things with the pie crust filled with vegetables and "meat" and so I put a couple in the cart. I'm seriously trying to hide them under my other groceries though in case I bump into a friend. I definitely did not want those things visible!
So we get to the check out lane and my kids are helping load the groceries and being super helpful. The guy checking us out was some teenager and he was super friendly, chatting the whole time. Then Hannah starts LOUDLY talking our potpies... Oh my, my face has never been so RED! The people behind me are smiling politely as I tell them she's probably only eaten those things twice in her life. Then the guy at the check out says, those things are...and I quote..."da bomb." OK-- I'm pretty sure that phrase went out in 1998 but I wasn't gonna be the one to tell him. At least he was complimenting my potpies.
I'm not sure why I was so embarrassed about my whole potpie experience. I mean, sue me, I let my kids eat potpies once a year. Anyway, I was just glad to be out of there!
This afternoon we go to get our groceries and Hannah spots the things with the pie crust filled with vegetables and "meat" and so I put a couple in the cart. I'm seriously trying to hide them under my other groceries though in case I bump into a friend. I definitely did not want those things visible!
So we get to the check out lane and my kids are helping load the groceries and being super helpful. The guy checking us out was some teenager and he was super friendly, chatting the whole time. Then Hannah starts LOUDLY talking our potpies... Oh my, my face has never been so RED! The people behind me are smiling politely as I tell them she's probably only eaten those things twice in her life. Then the guy at the check out says, those things are...and I quote..."da bomb." OK-- I'm pretty sure that phrase went out in 1998 but I wasn't gonna be the one to tell him. At least he was complimenting my potpies.
I'm not sure why I was so embarrassed about my whole potpie experience. I mean, sue me, I let my kids eat potpies once a year. Anyway, I was just glad to be out of there!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Resolutions
I've made new years resolutions for years...and never kept any of them! So about three years ago I decided that I WAS gonna stick to my resolutions. And I did! I set very realistic goals, ones that I new I could achieve, but not without a little effort on my part. I've continued to set goals for myself each year, some of which I've kept, some of which I haven't. But, as they say, aim for nothing and you'll hit it 100% of the time!
Here are my resolutions for 2011
1. Pray for each member of our church by name once a month
2. Do muscle toning once a week (situps, weights, squats)...and continue running 3 times a week
3. Scrapbook ALL of 2010 & 2009 and completely finish the kid's baby books
4. Drink half my body weight in ounces of water EVERY single day
5. Take my vitamins five times a week. Trust me, this will be the hardest one of all for me to keep.
Chris doesn't make new years resolutions for whatever reason, but we both decided it would be fun to set some goals for our kids. We are definitely not the type of parents who constantly push our kids, but we do think it's good for them to work toward a goal and achieve it.
We decided to have them memorize scripture this year. Hannah is working on 20 verses that Chris and I chose as well as memorizing the catechism for her age group. Caden will be learning 10 Bible verses and learning the catechism for his age group. We took them out to pizza to tell them about our plan, and told them that if they learned their verses that we would take them to CoCo Key to celebrate; they were super excited! We also made it very clear that if they worked hard and were unable to learn their verses that did not mean they had failed! They will still have much of God's word hidden in the hearts, which is something no one can take away from them! Plus, our kids are great memorizers and I know they'll have no problem learning their verses.
We are looking forward to all that God has in store for our family in 2011. We have many plans and goals but we know ultimately that it is in God's hands. We commit this year to HIM and trust that he will accomplish his perfect plan in our lives. To God be the glory!
Here are my resolutions for 2011
1. Pray for each member of our church by name once a month
2. Do muscle toning once a week (situps, weights, squats)...and continue running 3 times a week
3. Scrapbook ALL of 2010 & 2009 and completely finish the kid's baby books
4. Drink half my body weight in ounces of water EVERY single day
5. Take my vitamins five times a week. Trust me, this will be the hardest one of all for me to keep.
Chris doesn't make new years resolutions for whatever reason, but we both decided it would be fun to set some goals for our kids. We are definitely not the type of parents who constantly push our kids, but we do think it's good for them to work toward a goal and achieve it.
We decided to have them memorize scripture this year. Hannah is working on 20 verses that Chris and I chose as well as memorizing the catechism for her age group. Caden will be learning 10 Bible verses and learning the catechism for his age group. We took them out to pizza to tell them about our plan, and told them that if they learned their verses that we would take them to CoCo Key to celebrate; they were super excited! We also made it very clear that if they worked hard and were unable to learn their verses that did not mean they had failed! They will still have much of God's word hidden in the hearts, which is something no one can take away from them! Plus, our kids are great memorizers and I know they'll have no problem learning their verses.
We are looking forward to all that God has in store for our family in 2011. We have many plans and goals but we know ultimately that it is in God's hands. We commit this year to HIM and trust that he will accomplish his perfect plan in our lives. To God be the glory!
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