Time away

Last week our family headed to the beach, just the four of us. It was the first time we had gone by ourselves with the kids (no grandparents, other families,...). While you can never have a "relaxing" vacation with little ones, it was nice. I actually got to sleep in and do some reading during "quiet time" in the afternoons. It was also amazing to watch our kids. They are amazing. Almost 6-year old Katie (her birthday is next week) has evolved from a quiet follower into a leader (albeit bossy) who wanted to try every wild ride at the amusement park. She loved everything she tried. Micah, 2 1/2 going on 6 has to do everything is sister does. However, his seriousness and thoughtfulness is evident. He has not been the easiest baby/toddler to have, but I've always said God is going to do amazing things through him. I must say, he's starting to develop personality...and you DO NOT interfere with his wants. Yesterday we had a day at a local lake with some friends and he wanted a dump truck to play with in the sand that wasn't his. We had been there awhile, and it was way past naptime...needless to say he cried, no wait screamed would be the better word, the whole time packing up and in the bathhouse. I finally distracted him with a knob in the changing room that could move up and down...after I fought him to get him dressed into dry clothes. I cherish these times with my kids...although they are not relaxing enough in my book to be considered "vacations".

Summer Break!

Today is my first day off of teaching for the summer. Woo-hoo! I do plan to work a few days here and there, but for the most part my plans for the summer revolve around trying to play catch up around my house. I have a list of cleaning, painting and sorting through the things that have piled up around here this past school year. However, God has also been calling me to slow down, to let things go, to put relationships with others ahead of tasks I think need to be done. So as much as I want to "DO", I pray that with God's help I can also just "BE" the kind of mom, wife, friend that he's calling me to be.

Happy Summer!

Pause before responding

I recently heard this bit of advice in a training that I was blessed to participate in. Then, the very next day, I read it in my devotions. Isn't it funny how God uses various methods to get our attention? Pausing before I launch into my response, opinion, story that relates to the topic (or not) is not something I do easily. However, I have been reminded this week that it is something I need to work on.

A totally unrelated note. My mother-in-law got me a book for Christmas. It's called "Three Days" by Melody Carlson. Reviews say it's an easy read, so I plan to read it during Holy Week as an additional way to prepare my heart for Easter. I also like to read through the events of Christ's last week on earth.

Loving like Jesus

There is a woman in my life I have a difficult time loving. She is, in my opinion, annoying and I do not like being around her. However, due to recent circumstances (probably God-inspired) I have found myself having to be around her more. While I am trying to see her like Jesus, my human flesh still struggles to love her.

This morning in my devotions, I was challenged to do a random act of kindness for to show love for my neighbor. The author talked about the unlovable and how it is often they who need to be shown love the most. Guess who the Lord brought to my mind....this very lady.

Lord, continue to help me in my journey to see people through your eyes and not my own.

Everyday life

I think I have a case of the "February Blahs". Our home has been filled with sickness, the flu bug, colds...you name it we've had it. I am anxiously awaiting spring. What is most discouraging is that God has been silent. No new insights, no encouragement...just living in the daily routineness of life.

Father, Thank you for the gift of spring. Of new life, and a fresh start. Help me to feel your presence and recognize your blessings even in the dullness of February. Amen.

Let's play

Today there are a million "big" projects I could be doing. My kitchen is in desperate need of a thorough cleaning, my file cabinet is overflowing with papers that could be shredded and organized, the kids toys have once again overtaken my foyer. But today my goal is simply to relax and play with my kids. We have no big plans (other than a birthday party my 5 year old was invited to this afternoon) Yes, I will do a few loads of laundry and try to tidy up the clutter and run the vacuum. But I did not make a huge "to do" list that keeps my focus away from my kids today. It is Saturday, and today I want them to have my unfocused attention. Right now they are watching "Bob the Builder" and after that....LET'S PLAY!

Snow Day

Today was a surprise snow day! Our first this year. It was only an inch, but I think the cold temperatures and the fact we haven't had a snow day yet factored into the board of education's decision. So here are some of my favorite things to do on a snow day:

Make snowman pancakes (pancakes shaped like snowmen, decorated with powedered sugar and whatever candy we have on hand)

drink hot chocolate

scrapbook (while the kids do their own creative art stuff)

NAPTIME!!

Reading and extra time for Bible reading/devotions

The kids, of course, love playing outside. Dressing them in their snowsuits and standing outside in cold weather while they play is probably my least favorite part of parenting, but my kids love playing. So today we spent 10 minutes in 12 degree weather playing in an inch of powdery snow.