Happy Thing...courtesy of MRMBC

The day that we moved into our new home...or rather the day that we moved our stuff in :)... was brightened by a gracious display of welcome/home warming gifts from our new church. A huge basket cradled all kinds of wonderful things: chocolates, pampered chef goodies, sun hats for the girls, gift cards,... it just kept going! It made us feel so loved from the start. THANK YOU, MRMBC! :) Well, I kept the basket and painted it my absolute favorite color... you know, turquoise! Now every time that I look at it I think about the warm welcome we received and I enjoy another burst of that amazing color... and that is definitely a Happy Thing :)

Happy Thing...courtesy of JJ

I was sick last Friday... it was a yucky day. JJ was so sweet to me though! He bought me medicine, movies, snacks, and flowers! He picked out such beautiful flowers... and then put them in an old mason jar for me. Seriously... it's like he was in my mind... of all the vases we have and he picks the mason jar! It has been a spark of color to my days since then... and that is definitely a Happy Thing :)

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 :)