A great reminder!
http://lucentdreamer.blogspot.com/2009/08/hands-on-parenting.html
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
My "Sweet Caroline"
Caroline arrived at 4:59 PM on Monday, June 8th. What a precious little girl she is. I can't believe she's 6 weeks old already! I have been busy and haven't had much time to blog, but thought I'd post some pictures. Thanks for all the kind comments asking where I've been. I hope to spend more time blogging again in the future.
I decided to jump in and give cloth diapering a try this time around. My friends (and especially hubby) thought I was nuts. Well, it's been 2 weeks and I'm not at all interested in turning back. I'm saving sooooo much money and my little Caroline's bottom is not being exposed to chlorine 24/7. I do one load of diapers every 3rd day and my cloth dipes leak far less than disposables. It really is so easy! Here's Caroline in her One Size Fuzzi Bunz - sorry about the poor quality cell phone pic.
And just a few more pics of the girls enjoying a day at Mrs. Erin's pool =)
I decided to jump in and give cloth diapering a try this time around. My friends (and especially hubby) thought I was nuts. Well, it's been 2 weeks and I'm not at all interested in turning back. I'm saving sooooo much money and my little Caroline's bottom is not being exposed to chlorine 24/7. I do one load of diapers every 3rd day and my cloth dipes leak far less than disposables. It really is so easy! Here's Caroline in her One Size Fuzzi Bunz - sorry about the poor quality cell phone pic.
And just a few more pics of the girls enjoying a day at Mrs. Erin's pool =)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
I'm still here...
It has been a long, long time! Lots has been happening in my life these past few months. The biggest has been preparing for baby Caroline, who is due in just 2 days! I have had some episodes of labor that nearly had me calling the hospital, but would fade after just a few hours. Just trying to be patient while waiting. Patience is a virtue!
An update to my past prayer requests:
Dave is more than half-way through chemo and is doing wonderfully. We have seen God's hand of healing and provision the entire time. The doctor's have been very pleased with the results of his treatment so far. Please continue to pray for complete healing!
Erin had an uncomplicated C-section and her beautiful, sweet little girl is now 2 months old!
We've also prayed and watched in wonder as God has preserved and protected my dear friend, Mary Lou and her new little boy, Ben. Mary Lou delivered Ben by emergency C-section at only 28 weeks gestation due to HELLP sydrome. Praise God Mary Lou is doing great and healing nicely. Ben has grown from 2 lbs, 1 oz to 2 lbs, 14 oz and is also doing very well.
But, the real reason I have dusted off my blog is because God has been laying some things on my heart that are just too lengthy to share in a Facebook status ;-). For months, actually over a year, we as a church have been seeking God for revival. We have been praying, really praying, for an outpouring of His Spirit in our church and our families, that would spill out all over our towns and counties, our state and our nation. We have spent many hours in all-night prayer meetings and have wept many tears at the altar in repentance and in prayer for the lost. And we are beginning to see God really move in our midst!
But the past few weeks, while at church, I have felt a little discouraged. Not because I don't think that God is answering. I know that He is! Discouraged as I watch people on their knees, crying out to God while I'm playing referee between my 2 children. Discouraged as I'm holding my 4 year old to keep her still and reminding my oldest that it is time to pray. I sometimes feel like I'm just not effective, or even wonder why I am there if only spend the entire worship service caring for my children. And even worried over how I'm going to keep my 2 oldest in order all by myself once Caroline arrives (hubby is worship leader and is busy playing drums). But God whispered some reminders to me this past week. They were precious words to my heart and I thought they were too good not to share. I know that there are many mothers out there who can echo my feelings.
God gently reminded me that there will eventually come a time when I don't have children fussing next to me, but on their knees, praying with me. The time I spend with them now, teaching them to pray, to worship with all thankfulness, to seek God's face, and many times just to be reverent and respectful while others are praying is priceless. These children that He has blessed me with are our future congregation; our future worship leaders, and Sunday School teachers, and elders and pastors (actually elder's wives and pastor's wives...since I have all girls). They are the ones who will very soon be on their knees, crying out to God for revival and for the souls of the lost. My time each Sunday is not at all wasted, but so desperately needed at this time where real disciples of Christ are becoming fewer and fewer; where persecution of Christians is becoming a reality even in America, and where their lives as followers of Christ will most certainly require so much more strength and courage and grace that will only come from a real and living relationship with their Savior. He has placed me here at this phase in my life "for such a time as this."
And He also reminded me that my focused prayer time is still powerful and effective, regardless of whether it is with the congregation during Sunday morning service or alone in the early morning hours while the rest of the house is asleep. There are other times that I can spend in prayer, seeking God's face. At 2 AM when I can't sleep due to heartburn or contractions now, or later when I'm up for middle of the night feedings. I can worship Him as I'm folding laundry or washing dishes. I can praise him together with the girls as we sing in the car or dance in the living room. We can pray together for lost loved ones while we're in the car, driving to see them. What a blessing God has given me in these precious little ones; and what an enormous responsibility He has entrusted me with.
We mothers must never make light of the importance of our role on Sunday mornings!
I have more blogs brewing in my mind. Hopefully, soon, I'll have time to sit down and share them too.
An update to my past prayer requests:
Dave is more than half-way through chemo and is doing wonderfully. We have seen God's hand of healing and provision the entire time. The doctor's have been very pleased with the results of his treatment so far. Please continue to pray for complete healing!
Erin had an uncomplicated C-section and her beautiful, sweet little girl is now 2 months old!
We've also prayed and watched in wonder as God has preserved and protected my dear friend, Mary Lou and her new little boy, Ben. Mary Lou delivered Ben by emergency C-section at only 28 weeks gestation due to HELLP sydrome. Praise God Mary Lou is doing great and healing nicely. Ben has grown from 2 lbs, 1 oz to 2 lbs, 14 oz and is also doing very well.
But, the real reason I have dusted off my blog is because God has been laying some things on my heart that are just too lengthy to share in a Facebook status ;-). For months, actually over a year, we as a church have been seeking God for revival. We have been praying, really praying, for an outpouring of His Spirit in our church and our families, that would spill out all over our towns and counties, our state and our nation. We have spent many hours in all-night prayer meetings and have wept many tears at the altar in repentance and in prayer for the lost. And we are beginning to see God really move in our midst!
But the past few weeks, while at church, I have felt a little discouraged. Not because I don't think that God is answering. I know that He is! Discouraged as I watch people on their knees, crying out to God while I'm playing referee between my 2 children. Discouraged as I'm holding my 4 year old to keep her still and reminding my oldest that it is time to pray. I sometimes feel like I'm just not effective, or even wonder why I am there if only spend the entire worship service caring for my children. And even worried over how I'm going to keep my 2 oldest in order all by myself once Caroline arrives (hubby is worship leader and is busy playing drums). But God whispered some reminders to me this past week. They were precious words to my heart and I thought they were too good not to share. I know that there are many mothers out there who can echo my feelings.
God gently reminded me that there will eventually come a time when I don't have children fussing next to me, but on their knees, praying with me. The time I spend with them now, teaching them to pray, to worship with all thankfulness, to seek God's face, and many times just to be reverent and respectful while others are praying is priceless. These children that He has blessed me with are our future congregation; our future worship leaders, and Sunday School teachers, and elders and pastors (actually elder's wives and pastor's wives...since I have all girls). They are the ones who will very soon be on their knees, crying out to God for revival and for the souls of the lost. My time each Sunday is not at all wasted, but so desperately needed at this time where real disciples of Christ are becoming fewer and fewer; where persecution of Christians is becoming a reality even in America, and where their lives as followers of Christ will most certainly require so much more strength and courage and grace that will only come from a real and living relationship with their Savior. He has placed me here at this phase in my life "for such a time as this."
And He also reminded me that my focused prayer time is still powerful and effective, regardless of whether it is with the congregation during Sunday morning service or alone in the early morning hours while the rest of the house is asleep. There are other times that I can spend in prayer, seeking God's face. At 2 AM when I can't sleep due to heartburn or contractions now, or later when I'm up for middle of the night feedings. I can worship Him as I'm folding laundry or washing dishes. I can praise him together with the girls as we sing in the car or dance in the living room. We can pray together for lost loved ones while we're in the car, driving to see them. What a blessing God has given me in these precious little ones; and what an enormous responsibility He has entrusted me with.
We mothers must never make light of the importance of our role on Sunday mornings!
I have more blogs brewing in my mind. Hopefully, soon, I'll have time to sit down and share them too.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Some prayer requests and an update
It's been weeks since I've blogged...again. Life has been busy and full. Today I am praying for some very dear friends and ask that you would pray with me.
A very dear and looooonnnng time friend, Dave, is having his first treatment of chemo today for Follicular Lymphoma. He is young, a father to 5 children from age 7-20. Please pray for God's healing and for His peace that passes all understanding. My heart breaks for him and his family as they walk this path. Please pray that God's awesome power will be shown and lives would be changed for His glory through all of this!
Another dear friend, Erin, is scheduled for a c-section this morning. This is her first baby and it is very breech. Pray for a safe and healthy delivery and easy recovery.
My hubby and I had a WONDERFUL getaway to a beautiful, rather warm climate. It was so perfect! Just the break we needed in the middle of the craziness of life to reconnect and spend good quality time together.
And just for fun, a few pics of my girls having fun at homeschool co-op. We are very blessed to have a great professional photographer as part of our co-op who so graciously wandered around with her camera the other day to get some great candid shots for the yearbook. Thanks Susan!
And this shot was taken by my good friend, Mary Lou - AKA Miss Lou Lou :-)
And finally, I have 10 weeks and 5 days left until my due date! I can't believe I'm almost there! Can't wait to hold our sweet Caroline!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
This touched my heart this morning
I haven't blogged in such a long time. I apologize! I probably won't be blogging again for at least another week and a half. I am taking some time away from the computer to pray about some very weighty issues this week. Then next week my hubby and I are taking a much needed getaway - just the 2 of us (or 3 of us :0), but Caroline doesn't really demand very much attention just yet). I wanted to leave you with a link to a blog I read regularly. I can never read Angie's blog without tearing up a little and out right sobbing other times. Her writing reaches to the very depths of the soul. I know of so many people stuggling through hardships right now, whether personal, spiritual, financial. This blog is so touching. It's a little long, but please take a few minutes to read it. It will touch your heart.
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2009/03/sea-and-scarf.html
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2009/03/sea-and-scarf.html
Monday, February 9, 2009
A giveaway! And an awesome homeschool find!
Drop on by Octamom's blog today and enter a drawing to win a beautiful handbag or a cool Homeschool Mom shirt, or some threads for your little homeschoolers. Octamom has introduced me to the coolest site for Christian and homeschool themed t-shirts, backpacks, handbags, etc. If you don't have time to enter the contest, at least take some time here soon to check out The Homeschool Boutique.
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