24 hours from now 2 things will be majorly different.
1. My sweet Zoe will be 2 years old tomorrow. My baby is growing up way too fast. Soon will come potty training, a big girl bed and then before I know it she will be going to kindergarten and then I will be baby-less.
2. My dad will be moving into a hospice facility. While I am glad he will have the care he needs, I am really sad. He will be giving up his own house, his complete privacy, and his independence. He will most likely never been able to live in his own house or alone again.
Both things are hard for me do digest. For Zoe, it's a beginning of a whole new independence, of growing up, and doing new things. Her whole life is ahead of her. For my dad it is an end of his life as he now knows it.
Prayers would be appreicated for tomorrow. Taking my dad, getting him situated, being strong for him and then leaving him there will be very hard.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day One hundred and sixty-one
~~Wordless Wednesday~~ Crafts and Easter Egg Hunt
Addie made Cupcake Soaps
Addie and her "Zoe" creation
I love this picture!
Yippee Reese's Peanut Butter Cup!!
Guess who ate that piece??
Hint: It starts with an "S"
Grace and Mackie climbing the
Bouncy House Wall.
Z and G goin' down the slide.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day One hundred and sixty
"Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." Ps. 18:32
"You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." Ps.59:17
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails"
Proverbs 19:21
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Quick update on prayer requests:
My Dad has decided to move into the hospice facility Friday. At least that's his decision today. Who knows what it will be tomorrow or the day after that, etc. I will be spending most of the day tomorrow with my dad helping him get things ready, done and in order for his move.
We technically did get an offer on the house, but it was such a low-ball offer that I had to convince Chris to even make a counter offer. Guess we'll see how serious they are once we present them with our counter. Keep praying.
I am going to keep reading these verses over and over and then I am going to bed. I need to get emotional recharged before I take on tomorrow and it's major energy drain.
"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." Ps. 18:32
"You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." Ps.59:17
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails"
Proverbs 19:21
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Quick update on prayer requests:
My Dad has decided to move into the hospice facility Friday. At least that's his decision today. Who knows what it will be tomorrow or the day after that, etc. I will be spending most of the day tomorrow with my dad helping him get things ready, done and in order for his move.
We technically did get an offer on the house, but it was such a low-ball offer that I had to convince Chris to even make a counter offer. Guess we'll see how serious they are once we present them with our counter. Keep praying.
I am going to keep reading these verses over and over and then I am going to bed. I need to get emotional recharged before I take on tomorrow and it's major energy drain.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day One hundred and fifty-nine
I have 2 big prayer requests that I am requesting prayers for tonight.
1. Found out today that there is a bed available for my dad at a hospice facility All that has to be done is for dad to make a decision. As you can imagine, this is a hard decision for him to make. Please pray for clarity, wisdom, and peace of mind for him. And I'm asking for wisdom, patience and the right words to say to my dad.
2. This evening I got a call from our real estate agent saying that an offer on our house was going to be written tomorrow. Obviously it would be great if the offer was something we could accept without a whole lot of counter offers going back and forth. We are really wanting to move before the next school year. Please pray for a good offer, and for Chris and I to have wisdom in knowing what to do.
Thank you so much.
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
1. Found out today that there is a bed available for my dad at a hospice facility All that has to be done is for dad to make a decision. As you can imagine, this is a hard decision for him to make. Please pray for clarity, wisdom, and peace of mind for him. And I'm asking for wisdom, patience and the right words to say to my dad.
2. This evening I got a call from our real estate agent saying that an offer on our house was going to be written tomorrow. Obviously it would be great if the offer was something we could accept without a whole lot of counter offers going back and forth. We are really wanting to move before the next school year. Please pray for a good offer, and for Chris and I to have wisdom in knowing what to do.
Thank you so much.
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Day One hundred and fifty-eight
I missed church today. My Ruby woke up with an upset tummy. She got sick on Friday night, but by Saturday late afternoon she was back to her old self again. That's why I was surprised when I went in to wake her up this morning and she wasn't her usual bubbly self.
So once again the plans I had made were changed. But the girls and I ended up having a really nice day. We made special homemade pancakes~~Vanilla Dutch Baby (puffed pancake) Grace made the batter, and I put it in the skillet and placed it in the oven. While it was baking, Addie set the table and helped me make sausage. After about 20 minutes we had a huge golden brown airy pancake. So yummy!
Ruby even started to feel a bit better and by lunch time she said her tummy no longer felt yucky. That's when I made the decision to take everyone to an Easter Egg hunt sponsored by the National Guard. I know it's a controversial choice to skip church but then go to a fun event. Let me at least make a few excuses before you slay me.
1. Due to Ruby getting sick on Friday night, I was unable to attend a women's conference on Saturday at my church. So...I really needed to do something, see other adults, and engage in conversations that were more than desperate pleas to stop fighting.
2. I missed going church. See #1 as to why I needed a change of scenary.
3. It was a beautiful day and the girls were itching to get out and do something.
4. I didn't have to do anything for this event. All I had to do was get ourselves there and watch the girls have fun. There was no planning on my part, no prep work, and no clean-up. After dealing with a puking kid, that was a very nice bonus!
So there you have it. My day didn't go according to my original plan but I made due. I even saw a few fellow Deployment Diva's from our unit and invited one Diva and her girls over for an impromptu dinner. The funny thing is that I planned to grill hamburgers and hotdogs. I got all the burgers and dogs ready to go went out to the grill and....no propane! Seriously!?!?! So broiled hamburgers and microwaved hotdogs it was and we had a great time!
I can totally see how God is changing me. Before, all these disappointments (not just today's but the accumulation over the week) would have put me over the edge. So far over in fact that a search and rescue team would have had to be called to get me back. Now, I freak out just a little and only go about half way over the edge. I call that progress.
So once again the plans I had made were changed. But the girls and I ended up having a really nice day. We made special homemade pancakes~~Vanilla Dutch Baby (puffed pancake) Grace made the batter, and I put it in the skillet and placed it in the oven. While it was baking, Addie set the table and helped me make sausage. After about 20 minutes we had a huge golden brown airy pancake. So yummy!
Ruby even started to feel a bit better and by lunch time she said her tummy no longer felt yucky. That's when I made the decision to take everyone to an Easter Egg hunt sponsored by the National Guard. I know it's a controversial choice to skip church but then go to a fun event. Let me at least make a few excuses before you slay me.
1. Due to Ruby getting sick on Friday night, I was unable to attend a women's conference on Saturday at my church. So...I really needed to do something, see other adults, and engage in conversations that were more than desperate pleas to stop fighting.
2. I missed going church. See #1 as to why I needed a change of scenary.
3. It was a beautiful day and the girls were itching to get out and do something.
4. I didn't have to do anything for this event. All I had to do was get ourselves there and watch the girls have fun. There was no planning on my part, no prep work, and no clean-up. After dealing with a puking kid, that was a very nice bonus!
So there you have it. My day didn't go according to my original plan but I made due. I even saw a few fellow Deployment Diva's from our unit and invited one Diva and her girls over for an impromptu dinner. The funny thing is that I planned to grill hamburgers and hotdogs. I got all the burgers and dogs ready to go went out to the grill and....no propane! Seriously!?!?! So broiled hamburgers and microwaved hotdogs it was and we had a great time!
I can totally see how God is changing me. Before, all these disappointments (not just today's but the accumulation over the week) would have put me over the edge. So far over in fact that a search and rescue team would have had to be called to get me back. Now, I freak out just a little and only go about half way over the edge. I call that progress.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day One hundred and fifty-seven
Once upon a time there was a lonely princess. This princess wasn't used to living alone. Her prince was out slaying dragons that kept threatening the kingdom. Not only was he smart, strong and brave, but he was the best knight in all the land. Every night the princess would climb to the very top of the castle's highest tower and look out the window. She would search far and wide to see if her prince was on his way home. Most nights she saw nothing. Sometimes she would think that she saw him coming on his white horse, but then it would turn out to be a daydream. Every night she would pray for his safe return and she would wish on every star that that time would come soon................
I have no idea why I wrote that. The idea has been floating around in my head for a few weeks. Sometimes I wish life could be a fairy tale. The kind that ends with "happily ever after". Then I started thinking about some of the fairy tales I knew. Cinderella came to mind.
She was beautiful, had a beautiful voice and could communicate with animals. She lived in a castle, went to a ball, meet a handsome prince and got married. And she live Happily Ever After. But wait...I skipped the whole horrible middle. Cinderella didn't live a perfectly charmed life. Both of her parents died when she was young, she was made to be a servant to a mean step-mother and step-sisters in her very own home, she was treated like garbage and her only friends were mice and birds. Yet throughout the whole horrible middle of her story she maintained a joyful heart, a song on her lips, and hope that one day her prince would come.
Cinderella didn't cry, kick her feet and yell, "It's NOT fair!!" She didn't sit and sulk, and ask "Why me?" Her attitude, hope and optimism lead her to her "happily ever after"
I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to skip all the horrible middle stuff and get right to the "happily ever after" Even though I know that the horrible middle stuff can make you the stronger person you may become, it would be nice to just get the good stuff without having to go through the pain, work, and tears of the yucky stuff. I say enough of the "it builds character" train of thought! I think I have built enough character to last me 3 lifetimes. Bring on my happily ever after!~~Now that's a fairy tale.
Well, I'm going to take my cue from Cinderella and keep looking up--to God for strength, keep a song of praise on my lips and in my heart, choose to live joyfully, never give up hope that "this too shall pass" and put my trust and hope in God.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I have no idea why I wrote that. The idea has been floating around in my head for a few weeks. Sometimes I wish life could be a fairy tale. The kind that ends with "happily ever after". Then I started thinking about some of the fairy tales I knew. Cinderella came to mind.
She was beautiful, had a beautiful voice and could communicate with animals. She lived in a castle, went to a ball, meet a handsome prince and got married. And she live Happily Ever After. But wait...I skipped the whole horrible middle. Cinderella didn't live a perfectly charmed life. Both of her parents died when she was young, she was made to be a servant to a mean step-mother and step-sisters in her very own home, she was treated like garbage and her only friends were mice and birds. Yet throughout the whole horrible middle of her story she maintained a joyful heart, a song on her lips, and hope that one day her prince would come.
Cinderella didn't cry, kick her feet and yell, "It's NOT fair!!" She didn't sit and sulk, and ask "Why me?" Her attitude, hope and optimism lead her to her "happily ever after"
I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to skip all the horrible middle stuff and get right to the "happily ever after" Even though I know that the horrible middle stuff can make you the stronger person you may become, it would be nice to just get the good stuff without having to go through the pain, work, and tears of the yucky stuff. I say enough of the "it builds character" train of thought! I think I have built enough character to last me 3 lifetimes. Bring on my happily ever after!~~Now that's a fairy tale.
Well, I'm going to take my cue from Cinderella and keep looking up--to God for strength, keep a song of praise on my lips and in my heart, choose to live joyfully, never give up hope that "this too shall pass" and put my trust and hope in God.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day One hundred and fifty-six
~~**Good Day Sunshine!!**~~
I am going to turn in now. I have no deep thoughts tonight (or even shallow thoughts for that matter) My brain is full of finding ways to try and control the things in my life that are uncontrollable. It's a futile pastime I know. Call me insane because I know full well that I am wasting my time, but I insist on worrying anyway. I have tricked myself into thinking that this time will be different. I will be able to come up with a way to make everything go the way I have planned. The smooth, easy, happy way. The way in which makes sense to me. If I could just get so and so to do this, or have the this thing happen this way; I could stop fretting. I even worry about things that haven't even happened yet, and may never even do so. Anyone else do that?
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matt.6:27
The only things I add by worrying about things are, frustration, fear, anxiety, and more worry. I wonder what I am missing by not turning it all over to God? Peace that passes ALL understanding, hope, comfort, happiness...just to name a few.
Lord,
You know all the thoughts, situations and concerns I have been worrying about. You know how everything will turn out. Please help me to rely on You, to lean on You, to trust You, and remember that You want what's best for me. And in order for that to happen I need to get out of the way, step back, surrender to You and stop worrying.
Once again thank You for your patience with me. Amen
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