September 17, 2008

Proverbs 31:10-31

Father, as I'm suppose to be the heart of the home, help me. Give me strength and energy for a calling that leaves me tired at the mere thought of what's involved. I wish I understood the pressure that Doyl feels in being the protector, provider, and head because so often it seems like the husband has it easy. Make me less focused on me and more on his needs. When I feel overwhelmed, teach me to come to You and not add to his burden. Give him strength and wisdom for the calling and tasks You've given him. Teach me to help him as You intended.

March 24, 2009 (10:06 pm)

I just put Anna back in the bed. She's 21 months now...almost ready for some serious potty training. Keeping a diaper or pull-up on her is difficult, especially a wet or dirty one.
I went in to check on the girls before getting ready for bed (wow...it's early for me). Whitley was sound asleep and still covered up. Anna was asleep, but uncovered and bare-bottomed! Her wet diaper was on the floor next to her bed and her pants were in her hands. Getting her dressed without waking her up proved beyond me, but hopefully I'll find her the way I left her before I turn my light out.

Just pictures

Anna Goes Potty!

The only reason you are not looking at something very yucky right now is because my sense of decency just slightly out weighs my "mommy pride". Over the last week, Anna has been going to the potty (mostly by her own initiative) and has had pee-pee success 4 times. Well, just a little while ago, she topped that. Doyl and I were talking in the living room when Anna ran in, handed me a wet pull-up, and took off to the bathroom. Since she had just given me a wet pull-up, I assumed she was in there playing. We got to stopping point in the conversation before I went to check on her. There she was on the potty with poo-poo already in it! We have been dancing and shouting and calling...just having a BIG celebration! I seriously almost took a picture of it. Aren't you glad my mother raised me better than that?! The only part I've played in her potty training is let her sit on the potty whenever she wants, buying some pull-ups and "how to" book. The experts are right. When a child is ready, they are easy to train.

A Jump Start on Summer

It was 87 degrees in Eudora, MS today...not quite warm enough for a pool, especially one that hasn't had time to warm up. For a run in front of the water hose, however, it was perfect! Whitley has been browsing a catalog for the last month picking out a swim suit, but just can't wait for it to get here, so I dug out the one she wore last year and one for Anna. They had an absolute blast and when they were finished, they were tired, wet and dirty. After ice cream cones and a final spray down, we came inside, got cleaned up and started winding down for the evening. After some grilled cheese and Looney Toons, it was bed time. All in all, a good way to close the day.

Philippians 4:9

My quiet times (until I get this passage memorized) are coming from Philippians 4:4-9. Verse 9 struck me this morning with the reminder that my girls are receiving their first lessons in how to be a Christ-follower from me and Doyl. As Paul tells the Philippians, "the things you have learned and received and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you", so I need to be able to tell Anna and Whitley.
"Do the things you see me do." Wow! How I long to be able to say those words to my girls, to anybody. However, when I look at a typical day, I'd rather tell them "Do as I say, not as I do." Any other mothers with me? I desire to show them truth, honor, right, purity, grace, excellence, but in the day to day of naps and eating and obeying (all things they need), are these the things they see in Mommy or do they see battle lines instead?
I'm begging God to change me, to make me a parent after His example. I want my girls to know God's peace in their lives and in our home. "...practice these things and the God of peace will be with you." Who doesn't want that?

A few pictures of the girls and one video of our monkey

Playtime with cousin, Kayleigh





Anna's first ice cream cone...


"No lady of fashion appears in public without gloves..."


"...nor silly little girl without socks on her hands!"


More T-ball and a picnic...




Guitar lesson...


AND FINALLY, the MONKEY...

Just a few pics

These are a few pics of the girls enjoying the outdoors. I really do love it when they can be outside. They are so much better behaved and they sleep better! That probably makes me sound tired and a bit frustrated...I am. They are so smart, creative and FULL of energy I have a hard time keeping up. Outside seems to level the playing field.

Speaking of playing field, Mama Dean bought a tee ball set for the grandkids. Anna loves it because she can whack stuff with the bat and not get spanked. Whitley loves games and learning new things. She's actually pretty good AND she bats left-handed! I promise I did not teach her that, but since she prefers it, I will encourage her. She has actually asked us to pitch her the ball and she's hit it...Uncle Ronny will be so proud!

I have a feeling it's gonna be a long, hot summer!

Nature

The girls love being outside. We were in the yard for about 5 hours today. Typically we take walks to the pond or pick wild flowers or dig in the dirt. Over the last month, we've been watching a mama bird and her nest. Both girls have had to check to see if she's home or if the baby's have been born yet. Well, in this last week, they've been checking to see how big the babies are getting! And then there are the squirrels. Anna is fascinated with them. She'll see them out the window and SQUEEEAL! We have one that visited our window sill and liked her almost as she liked him. I've been collecting pictures to share. Here they are...

Thankfulness

I'm reminded this morning in Bible study to be thankful, very thankful at ALL times (Philippians 4:6). That's not very easy. We tend to look at the unpleasant or undesirable circumstances of our lives and not notice the threads of blessing running through them. The apostle Paul wrote that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstance his found himself (Philippians 3:11-13). I guess I'm still learning. These are just a few things I'm learning to be thankful for:

*Husband and self slandered, loss of ministry position due to it -- Found worthy to suffer (very mildly, I know) for the Lord (Matthew 5:11-12)
*Had to move in with my parents -- Having parents who are not only in a position to take us in, but love us enough to do so even though it imposes on them
*Husband working at a job he doesn't like -- God has provided employment with a good salary at a time when many are without work
*Children making messes, demanding lots of Mommy's time -- My children are healthy, intelligent, loving, forgiving (I make lots of mistakes), beautiful, and talented
*Children not obeying the way I want -- They prove they are learning to obey with others (and with me...the hard way). If they are disobedient, aren't we all? (Yes, me too!) They really are good girls who ultimately want to please Mommy and Daddy.

AND the number 1 lesson I'm learning...Even though I don't know what our future holds, GOD DOES! He is sovereign. He is holy. He has a plan for our good that will further HIS kingdom (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Father, today fill me with gratitude. Show me all the "little" ways You bless my life and make me more aware of Your goodness.