Plans

Quite honestly I have today planned out.

Kids off to school
Good, hard workout for myself
Drop Smiley off at a friends house
Dental appointment for myself
Pick Smiley up
Quick stop at the grocery store
Home for lunch
Read a few books
Put Smiley down for a nap
Prime some trim ~ around a door and two windows
Clean the house and work on laundry
Listen to the sound of the mood of the house change as Sassy and Action blow in from school
Homework
Have one of Sassy's friends come over for the evening to help her Dad out
Church for Sassy and Action
Dinner
Hang out/family time ~ probably with American Idol on in the background.
Bath night for Smiley
Chat with Sassy's friend's dad
Prayers
Get Sassy, Action and Smiley ready for and settled in bed
Put my feet up and relax.

But I received a phone call at 6am and my plans kind of went right out the window.

The phone call was from the kids' school.

Today is a SNOW DAY!

This will be the first snow day since Sassy started going to preschool 7 years ago.  (When I was growing up it seemed we had at least a couple per season)

The kids are still asleep and they will be beyond EXCITED to hear the news.

Me, well I will need to adjust my schedule and my plans for the day.

I guess a snow day is a small reminder to me from God, that I am not in charge.  He is truly in charge.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans of the human heart,

but it is the decision of the LORD that endures.

update....

The kids were/are excited 

their typical cereal breakfast turned into french toast and strawberries 

and now I am savoring the laughter and giggles as they play together...nicely for now anyway :)

Oh, and what are they playing you ask?

School, of course! 

Picture me {im}perfectly @ Capturing Motherhood

On this Christmas Day

May you remember to not get wrapped up in the little things, 

the gifts and the show and truly remember the real reason to celebrate.

(Source)

Luke 2: 11-12

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Something to think about Sunday

BEING

Definition: living; being alive

I've been busy.
My mind has been racing.
I've been stressed, and yet  somewhat relaxed (huh?).

When life gets this way, I seem to get frustrated easily.  Which is.....    very frustrating.  And it leads me to unconsciously examine my life path and seems to amplify all of my downfalls.

I feel like I am a good wife, mom, friend and child of God.  I am loving, spiritual, helpful, and so much more, but it doesn't feel like it's enough, like I'm being enough.  I mean, I love my family, but am I showing it enough, in my words and actions?  I love my husband, but the spark that was there so many years ago is more like a candle now, I could be more romantic and spontaneous.  There are so many moments when I feel stretched  too thin, tired and short, moments I should step back, take a deep breath and relax.  And while I'm fun (I think ☺), and I love to laugh it doesn't feel like it's enough.


For some reason I feel like I need to be more:
Loving
Romantic
Patient
Spiritual
Health conscious
Fit
Fun
Relaxed
Spontaneous
Organized
Creative

Is it possible to stop trying to "be more"  and just accept who you are right now?


1 Samuel 16:7b
“For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ (NKJV)

28. For the smile on my Daughter’s face as I cheer her on
29. Cuddling with my Hubby in the middle of the afternoon
30. Unexpected flowers

Something to Think About Sunday

Lately I've been reading some books that I normally wouldn't choose to read for leisure.  They are good books, but they are kind of heavy books, and I'm not talking about size.

Here's a little background.....

I am a co-leader for our parents group at church (which for some reason is mostly moms).  We've decided to read a book and have a book discussion for one of our meetings.  Which leads me to where I am today.... I have been reading books, trying to find one that is a good fit for our group. However, along the way, I have learned a few things or maybe I should say, I've been reminded of a few things.

Here are a couple of the things I've read lately that got me thinking:

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  ~ Colossians 3:17


and


Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ~ Ephesians 5:19-20


Ok, so I'm going to be honest here.  I'm not really a bible reader.  I mean I went to Catholic school from the time I was in preschool until I graduated from high school, so I know the bible.  But I don't sit and read it (although we do have this bible and Smiley could sit on my lap and have me read it to her for hours), nor have I completed a bible study as an adult.   But the books I've been reading have been insightful and have made me think about many areas of my life.  


Obviously by reading the bible passages above, one of those areas is thankfulness.


There are so many things I am thankful for.  Things that are big and things that are small.  And while I am thankful and appreciative for my live and all of the blessings in it, I know I fail to recognize many of them.  And besides thanking my husband, children and other family members for things, I need to remember to look around and truely thank God for so much more.


So, call this a New Years resolution if you wish, but I am calling it a goal, perhaps I should describe it more as a challenge to myself ~ to daily acknowledge something I am thankful for, whether it is "big" or "small" because really, isn't it all big?


Starting today, when I write a new post, I will place what I am thankful for at the end.  Hopefully this will keep me accountable.


And in the words of an old church hymn:

"Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

1.  The first day of a brand new year

2.  One more day of sleeping in before Christmas break is over

3.  Routine ~ although it is hard to get back into it, it is good

4.  A night of nothing

5. Bookstores ~ the sights, smells and sounds.... I could stay forever

6. A quiet 20 minute nap in the middle of the afternoon

7. My hubby ~ you are missed when you are gone

8. The sound of Smiley little voice talking to her dolls upon waking after a good nights sleep

9. Cinnamon rolls (especially the freezer ones ☺)

Something to think about Sunday

“Time you enjoy wasting,

was not wasted.”

― John Lennon

and neither was Smiley's dessert ☺:

    

Something to Think about Sunday

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:5-6)

"Now let the heavens be joyful,

Let earth her song begin:

Let the round world keep triumph,

And all that is therein;

Invisible and visible,

Their notes let all things blend,

For Christ the Lord is risen

Our joy that hath no end."

-- John of Damascus

Blessings to you on this Easter Day!

Something to Think about Sunday ~ children

Recently I posted this quote (you can read the full post by clicking here):

Make a memory with your children,
Spend some time to show you care;
Toys and trinkets can't replace those
Precious moments that you share.

I thought this summarized my thoughts perfectly that day.

However, a few days later I was contacted by the author and was informed that this was not a quote at all, but the first part of a poem she wrote. She sent me the full poem and I have to admit I love it. It is a perfect reminder of what our children need from us.

They need US and our TIME.

Here is the poem in it's entirety:

Make a Memory

Make a memory with your children,
Spend some time to show you care;
Toys and trinkets can't replace those
Precious moments that you share.

Money doesn't buy real pleasure,
It doesn't matter where you live;
Children need your own attention,
Something only you can give.

Childhood's days pass all too quickly,
Happy memories all too few;
Plan to do that special something,
Take the time to go or do.

Make a memory with your children,
Take the time in busy days;.
Have some fun while they are growing,
Show your love in gentle ways.

by Elaine Hardt ©1977

Hardt Ministries International, Inc. 4700 Scout Way, Prescott Valley AZ 86314. Permission granted to copy and freely give out, providing my name and copyright notice appear. http://www.encouragingu.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

But let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Something To Think About Sunday

“Cleaning your house

while your kids are still growing up

is like shoveling the walk

before it stops snowing.”

―Phyllis Diller

Something to Think About Sundays

Be Healthy,

Treat others with Compassion

Have Confidence and

Act Respectfully......

Four (of the many) important things I want to instill in my daughters and my son.

We are not all perfect......

Looks can be decieving:

Be who you are.

Have goals and dreams.

Do your BEST.

And remember, you are perfect just the way you are!

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."