I find as a mother and a wife, I go through seasons. Right now, I feel like I am in the desert. Actually, I am in the desert. Literally. But that's neither here nor there. I mean an emotional and spiritual desert. My days feel long and unending. I imagine most moms of "littles" feel that way at one time or another. My son is up at daybreak, and I do get in an early morning feeding, just me and him, I get to read my daily bible reading for the day (I am reading the bible in a year. First time I ever did that.), and I usually get my first cup of coffee before the rest are up. Most times than not, I don't get to finish my coffee, but you can bet that someone finishes it for me. And it's not an adult. Anyway.....then I feel like the rest of my day is feeding kids, changing kids, cleaning, cooking, teaching, laundry, cleaning, refereeing, wiping, and so on. I start to get tired. I start to get irritated. I start to feel frustrated. Even angry sometimes. I wonder when I will ever get time to myself. Poor, pitiful me. But I forget to go back to the One who can replenish my soul. Who is my Reservoir. It's hard to remember that as we give and pour out, so we also need to go back and get refilled. Refreshed. If we don't take those times we can become angry, depressed, among a multitude of other emotions. I find that I need to broaden my idea of refreshing. It could be an uninterrupted hour, but it might also only be 10 minutes. Learning to be content in all things is very hard. At least for me. I feel like my brain doesn't ever slow down. And in this age of technology and where multitasking is looked upon as productive, it's hard to feel all right about stopping. Breathing. Being still. I find I will sit at the computer, with the television on, trying to do both. I will read a magazine and watch television. I find it's getting hard for me to just focus on one thing. Makes it difficult to focus on One Person. Know what I mean? God is dealing with me.
My youngest sister is in YWAM, and right now is in Kosovo. She sent me an email earlier this week, and here is what part of it said, "experience the seasons.... seasons of when Nate is busy, when school is in session, etc - but i want to encourage you that there are also seasons with the Lord. despite busyness and schedules he is near!" As I read that, the tears fell. Sometimes God leads us into the desert to call us to Him.
"Therefore I am now going to allure; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her." Hosea 2:14
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mother
This Sunday is Mother's Day. Out of curiosity, I looked up Mother in my 1828 Noah Webster dictionary. I figured there would be some good definitions of the word, and I was not disappointed. One of my favorite's is this: "madre, mother, cause, origin, root, spring, a mold or form for castings..." The terminology mold or form for castings caught my eye. I never really thought of myself as a mold for my children, but there is alot of truth in that. I am helping to mold my children for their future, molding their habits, their beliefs, their faith. Kind of convicting, isn't?
I must confess that I didn't appreciate all that my mother has done for me until I became one. The sacrificing, putting aside your own wants, the exhaustion, the doubting, and on and on it goes. But my mom has been there alongside of me on this journey called motherhood, offering her advice, encouragement and support. Which some days, I just need to hook up to an IV...a continuous flow, you know what I mean?
Living so far away from my mom has few advantages, but one advantage is that when I have a baby, my mom comes and LIVES with me. For ten days. Give or take how late my babies decide to come. Now, if I lived in Pennsylvania, she would stop by the house, but since she has to fly to Arizona, I get in house help for at least ten blissful days. There are no words to describe how much I appreciate that. Thank you Mom!!!
my mom with Landon shortly after he was born
Another definition is "an appellation given to a woman who exercises care and tenderness towards another, or gives parental advice; as when one says, "a woman has been a mother to me." During different seasons of my life, the Lord has put women in my life who fit this description. During high school, my best friend's mother, Linda, was like a second mom to me. I was constantly in and out of her house, visiting, eating her food, and staying up all hours of the night watching movies and talking. She and I continued to meet for lunch after Renee moved out to California and got married. It will be six years this October since she went home to Jesus. There was Marianne. I spent lots of time at her house and even worked for her for a while. I fondly remember sitting at her kitchen table talking.
When I went off to college, there was Betty Ann. She always made time for me, and some of the best memories I have of her are sitting at her counter, coffee in hand, just chatting away. And now I have my mother in law, Cecelia. She is one of the most generous, kind and loving people I know. I love how God has His ways of taking care of me, no matter where I am in life.
And lastly, I just had to throw out that another definition of the word mother is, "a thick slimy substance concreted in liquors, particularly in vinegar, very different from scum or common lees." When I read that, I laughed. Out loud.
And so, I just wanted to wish all the mothers out there, whether you are raising little ones, expecting your first one, empty nester, or perhaps raising "spiritual" children,
I must confess that I didn't appreciate all that my mother has done for me until I became one. The sacrificing, putting aside your own wants, the exhaustion, the doubting, and on and on it goes. But my mom has been there alongside of me on this journey called motherhood, offering her advice, encouragement and support. Which some days, I just need to hook up to an IV...a continuous flow, you know what I mean?
Living so far away from my mom has few advantages, but one advantage is that when I have a baby, my mom comes and LIVES with me. For ten days. Give or take how late my babies decide to come. Now, if I lived in Pennsylvania, she would stop by the house, but since she has to fly to Arizona, I get in house help for at least ten blissful days. There are no words to describe how much I appreciate that. Thank you Mom!!!
Another definition is "an appellation given to a woman who exercises care and tenderness towards another, or gives parental advice; as when one says, "a woman has been a mother to me." During different seasons of my life, the Lord has put women in my life who fit this description. During high school, my best friend's mother, Linda, was like a second mom to me. I was constantly in and out of her house, visiting, eating her food, and staying up all hours of the night watching movies and talking. She and I continued to meet for lunch after Renee moved out to California and got married. It will be six years this October since she went home to Jesus. There was Marianne. I spent lots of time at her house and even worked for her for a while. I fondly remember sitting at her kitchen table talking.
When I went off to college, there was Betty Ann. She always made time for me, and some of the best memories I have of her are sitting at her counter, coffee in hand, just chatting away. And now I have my mother in law, Cecelia. She is one of the most generous, kind and loving people I know. I love how God has His ways of taking care of me, no matter where I am in life.
And lastly, I just had to throw out that another definition of the word mother is, "a thick slimy substance concreted in liquors, particularly in vinegar, very different from scum or common lees." When I read that, I laughed. Out loud.
And so, I just wanted to wish all the mothers out there, whether you are raising little ones, expecting your first one, empty nester, or perhaps raising "spiritual" children,
Happy Mother's Day!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Larissa Janae
Hard to believe our firstborn is turning SEVEN! I can still vividly remember the night she was born.....I guess I haven't lost all my brain cells yet! Larissa has one of the tenderest hearts. If someone is hurting or not feeling well, she is right there, nursing them back to health, or giving them a hug and a kiss. She enjoys going for walks, seeing nature, playing dress up, and helping me with her baby brother.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for this girl. She feels and loves very deeply, and has been an intrical part of our family, and we love her so very much.
Happy Birthday Larissa!
Happy Birthday Larissa!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Four years old
CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH
AKA
Char
Charlottie
Charlotta
Lottie
Charlay(I refrain from spelling it the way of the cow charcolais, because what girl wants to be called a cow?)
A girl with a LONG name, and LONG on personality....
Scrolling through theses pictures taken in the last year, make my heart sad. My baby girl is growing up! And what a delight she has been to our family.
HaPpY BiRtHdAy ChArLoTtE!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
8 Months of Sweetness
Today our baby boy turned eight months old....
As you can see, he gets lots of lovin' around these parts
He has also started crawling in the last week. The girls are learning the hard way that if they don't want to play with toys or read books drenched in baby drool, they need to pick up their stuff. And I ain't complainin' about that!
Love him!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Spring pictures
While my sister was here (notice the past tense.....sigh), we had a little mini photo shoot with the kiddos. Here are a few of the pictures....
As you can tell, we had one who was being a bit standoffish....until I bribed the said culprit with some chocolate. I speak her language.
My baby girl, Charlotte, who, by the way, will be four next week!
My oldest, Larissa, who will be turning seven at the end of the month. Looking back at these photos, made me realize how much she is growing up into a young girl....
My middle girl, Alaina, who is five. The sun really bothers her eyes, so that's why she is squinting in some of the pictures. My super imaginative one..
And the baby of the house, little Landon Ray. He will be eight months next week. And he is officially on the move. Much to his sisters chagrin! And my delight.....(I've been warning them!!)
Typical Charlotte....need I say more?
"Get me away from all these girls, mom!!"
I love twirly skirts and cowboy boots...
Sisters...best friends
I just love to squeeze him......
These are just a few of the pictures my sister got of the kids. She does such a great job. And is very patient, which when dealing with kids, is an absolute must. Alyssa and my brother left for their LONG drive back to Pennsylvania last Monday. It's 36 hours. A.long.time. An e t e r n i t y with children. Not really, but you get the picture.
So this week I have been finding a new routine. And realizing just how much help she had been to me. I've been falling into bed every night totally exhausted. And missing the company during the day. One of the most challenging things is to find a new order of doing things for school. With my sister here, it was easy peasy. She worked with one and I worked with the other. Now I am trying to figure out how to juggle two at the same time. It will come together. Sometime. Until then, I just keep truckin' along!
These are just a few of the pictures my sister got of the kids. She does such a great job. And is very patient, which when dealing with kids, is an absolute must. Alyssa and my brother left for their LONG drive back to Pennsylvania last Monday. It's 36 hours. A.long.time. An e t e r n i t y with children. Not really, but you get the picture.
So this week I have been finding a new routine. And realizing just how much help she had been to me. I've been falling into bed every night totally exhausted. And missing the company during the day. One of the most challenging things is to find a new order of doing things for school. With my sister here, it was easy peasy. She worked with one and I worked with the other. Now I am trying to figure out how to juggle two at the same time. It will come together. Sometime. Until then, I just keep truckin' along!
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