I suppose it's time to be honest...

I've been having a hard time lately. Ever since the move things have been ... off. I suppose that's to be expected, but it just frustrates me so much. I guess I have a sinful need to feel in control of things... to have things under control at all times. And if they're not, I do whatever it takes to get things back where they should be. Sometimes this involves God, sometimes I try to do it on my own. I don't like writing this... it makes me feel out of control :)

Nothing is really wrong... but nothing seems right either. My house is not the way I want it, my girls are in need of some serious, yet gentle training (hence my last post), JJ and I feel like our relationship is being strained, and I need a serious attitude overhaul. Not much inspires me, many things anger me, and I'm in serious need of a joyful heart. Before we left, I felt so full of faith, so full of strength. My mind was nearly always where it needed to be... on Him and on his will for me. These days I can't seem to get my selfish mind off me. Well, it's time to get to work... like I said, I've gotta do whatever it takes to get back to where I should be.

On the flip side, I'm not worried though... about what comes next. I do know that my God is faithful, and that he will pursue me. I may feel weak and off, but he is strong and will pull me back. He promises that if I seek Him, I will find Him. I so badly want to get back to the joy of my salvation, Happy Things, feeling full of joy, and being inspired.

JJ and I developed a plan... I used to (in KS) be able to find time in the morning before we started school each day, to have some quiet time. I would usually read my devotional or a passage of scripture, then meditate on a meaningful verse. Sometimes I would post the verse on fb. This really worked for me... helped me really soak in God's word for me for the day. Well, for some reason, I have had such a hard time finding a spot for this in my mornings here. For one thing, the girls' waking up and napping times have gotten all messed up now that they share a room. I find myself clinging to every moment of Sadie's short morning nap to get the most important school stuff done. ANYWAY... I don't know why I'm including all this random info. ALL TO SAY... the plan: JJ is going to get up a little earlier, and be ready by the time Sadie wakes up. This will allow him to watch Sadie for 20-30 min., so that I can have some quiet moments to spend in God's word to start my day. Seriously, that sounds divine to me! I NEVER have alone quiet time! :)

Anyway, I haven't felt like posting much lately... that's why. But God is faithful... I'll be back :)

A book every mom should read...

Maybe some of you have noticed that I have some recommended books on my blog... well, sorry Ted Tripp, but "Shepherding a Child's Heart" may have met it's match! My girlfriends back in Kansas suggested the book "Don't Make Me Count to Three!" by Ginger Plowman, after some lengthy discussions about disciplining our children. Now I really appreciated "Shepherding a Child's Heart", but Plowman's book on the same topic was just so much more enjoyable and practical! In short, this book focuses on reproof from scripture mixed appropriately with discipline (mainly spanking). Yet, what I love is how she takes it a step further and moves beyond the reproof and into positive encouraging instruction. From her book:

"It is important to rebuke our children when they do wrong, but it is equally important, if not more important, to walk them through what is right--to put off as well as to put on. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, 'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.' ....How do we do this with our children? First, work through what a biblical response would have been. Second, have the child follow through with it. I cannot stress how vital this is in training."

She continues to explain in more detail about this important process. She even has a separate booklet that can be purchased listing 22 behaviors along with relevant scriptures to help in the reproof and training process. It's so wonderful (and equally challenging for the parent!) ! I love the focus on the heart/motives in the child and the strong emphasis on scripture. If you are looking for a biblical approach to training your little ones... this is the best I've found yet.

Happy Things

I love the effect that spring time has on my girls' closet... it becomes such a beautiful sight! All three girls are sharing a room now... and the closet fits all their clothes perfectly! Combined with the fact that the closet is also the home of their baby dolls and play things, all the pastel clothes make me want to leave the doors open. This is definitely a Happy Thing :)

Happy Birthday, to The One I Love...

I normally don't indulge in bragging... but today I'm going to make an exception. It's my husband's birthday, and he deserves to be bragged about :)

He's the man in a household of all girls and loves it.

He's capable of pretty much anything... So smart.

He's broken his nose 6 times.

He has the best laugh... when we watch funny movies, I just watch him.

I'd rather be with him than anyone else... No one better :)

When we were dating, JJ told me "Your face is the definition of beautiful."

He can craft. (that's only bragging if women are reading this, I suppose :)

We can talk for hours... always have, always will.

He's a very positive optimistic person... hard to find these days.

He has a heart for God and His work... his passion is the Truth.

He fathers amazingly from the heart... even though he didn't have a dad at home to mimic.

He is more patient with me than I could ever deserve.

I feel so overwhelmingly blessed that God gave me a man like him to live my life with.

Happy Birthday, Jeremy... I love you.

Happy Thing

You know me... I love vintage stuff. When it comes to the kitchen, I just can't image anything better than 195os decor...all the bright primary colors. It's so cheerful! Well, one thing that didn't return to our kitchen after our move was my 1950s bright yellow chrome table and chairs... :( Instead we opted to use our big dining room table. It just made more sense for having people over... But one thing that found its way into our kitchen/dining room this time around was my china cabinet (it previously functioned as storage in the Sadie's nursery...). This has been a happy thing for me, since now I have room for all my fun 1950s dishes!!! I also thought that maybe I'd be more likely to use them if I could see them... My mom picked up the old china cabinet for us at an auction just weeks before we got married. It was a built-in that somebody ripped out. It has served me well! So regardless of the paint color on the walls :), I am instantly cheered by the sight of my familiar little china cabinet, filled with all those yummy dishes... and that's a Happy Thing :)

I'm not supposed to do this...

Armelle Blog

Hmmm... When my mother-in-law was still here a few weeks ago (the first week we moved in), I told her and JJ one night..."Okay, I'm only going to say this once. But I hate this wall color. I thought it was okay, but I really think it's ugly." - or something similar to that. So I'm not sticking to the only saying it once thing. I'm telling you all now... I daily struggle with the color of the walls (and ceiling) in my new house. It's a rather yucky neutrally yellowish beige color. It's so close to being an okay color, but it's not. And EVERY WALL, CORNER, CLOSET, AND THE CEILING is painted that color! I wouldn't be bringing this up right now if it wasn't for the fact that I was surfing some blogs tonight and ran across this picture. It made me so sad :( That sweet little nursery is the exact same turquoisy blue as Sadie's nursery was.... Oh how I miss my turquoise paint!!!!!

Okay... I said it to the world (well at least a decent number of friends), and now I really am going to stick with my original commitment. No more bad mouthing the color of my walls. Happy thoughts from here on out :) Thanks for listening....

Finally!

Hi! It's been so long since I've been able to sit down and do much of anything on the computer... It has been so crazy here (in Edmond, OK...can you believe it ?! ) since we moved in. Last night Jeremy and I counted up that today would only be the 4th day, living in this house, that we have been alone... yeah. And we moved the last weekend of Feb. ! First off, we had construction workers in our house for 2 weeks pretty much straight... a steady stream of family... and some visitors.... Except for the construction workers, it was wonderful to have help, company, and the distraction of others to get us through the first month of living here. Yet, I must admit it feels so good to have a few moments to myself now! (disclaimer: this in no way means that I don't want company... please come and visit any time!!!!!)
The house is starting to feel like a home... I think I'll enjoy living here. Some days, though, I do have to make a conscious effort not to think about how it compares to our old home in Hillsboro. I loved that house... it was so me. (check out pics of it under Our Little Home) But I just have to be thankful that I was able to enjoy it for those 2 years. It really was fun to get to live there. As soon as I'm done decorating our house here, I'll be sure to post some pictures. This house may not feel familiar and it may not warm me with its charm yet... but as I watch my girls run from room to room, play and laugh, and as we all sit around the dinner table, I am very aware that God has plans for us. God has blessings for us... here.