Halloween

Please remind me next year to buy two of the same costumes for the boys - ugh!

Big Picture

A great day for me include accomplishing certain things:

1.  A clean house

2. Bible Study

3. A workout with or without a successive shower

4. Preparing a good dinner

5. Quality learning time with my kids

6. Quality time with my husband

So the question is:  Am I being too ambitious here or not?  David and I had a discussion the other day and came to this conclusion: If my day is all wrapped up as a success or a failure according to these ambitions, my ambition is sin.  God is sovereign and has ordered my day according to His will.  While I must plan my day and be organized, Almighty God is the One who directs my steps.  I have to trust that God's plan is better than my own every time.  So, if I don't make it to the gym because my kids are sick - that is God's good and perfect plan.  Maybe He's protecting me from something - I don't know.  "He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best."

So, today, I'm a happy mom (and not just because I'm running on THREE cups of strong coffee).  This morning I acknowledged that my day is the Lord's and not my own.  His will is perfect and "He gives a special mercy for each hour... He whose name is Counselor and Power!"  --Day by Day, by Thomas Moore.  No matter what happens or doesn't happen today, I can be content in God's predestined plan for me.

  

funny Huddy Buddy

This morning Hudson was drawing happily away.  He drew what looked like a space ship and planets, one that looked like the sun.  So I David says, "Hey, buddy, what a great picture!  Is this the sun?"  Hudson answered, "No, dad.  That's a picture of me when I became a super hero."  Of course.

The other day he ran into the kitchen crying, "Mom!  I bumped my ear globe on the door knog!"  So I kissed the "ear globe."  

Flashback Friday

David & I before we got married almost five years ago.

Potty Training

I want to give up.  Potty training is not flowing here.  He's not catching on fast enough and I don't have time.  So, maybe I should postpone this crazy goal.  We were doing great for a little while, but the explosive nastiness in undies while I'm trying to feed the baby is just not good.  I'm stressing and I need to relax.  My house is a WRECK because all I do is watch Pierce like a hawk and RUN him to the potty every 15 minutes only to have him go in his undies as soon as he gets up.  I don't think we're ready...or maybe I should just give it a few more days.  I can't remember how Hudson was, I just know how he is: trained.  We tried pull-ups.  They don't work, for training that is.  They do keep the accidents off the carpet - that's a good thing.  So, should I stop or should I persevere?  Hudson was almost 2 when he was fully trained.  A friend of mine who has raised 4 children had all of hers trained when they were about 2.  Shouldn't I be able to do that?

Pierce, August 2007

Terrible & Terrific Two!

I know this is a small picture.  It's Pierce trying to watch tv in the waiting room while I was in labor with Alayna.  I seriously need a guide book for this child.  I did a child training and disciplining class this past weekend and I still have no idea what to do with him except to continue being consistent in training and shaping his heart.

He sleeps in his tennis shoes and baseball cap.  He only wants to wear muscle shirts and basketball shorts because they're "awethome." If I put long pants and long sleeves on him, he pulls up the legs and pushes up the arms and CRIES if they don't stay put.  He just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago so, I'm officially and seriously potty training - CRAZY!  

He's actually doing great for day one.  I guess the crazy part is me - I'm the one who nursing and potty training at the same time (among other things).  P is sitting on his potty chair right now watching a movie as I type and Alayna plays happily under her gym.  Hudson is "reading."  The dishwasher is humming and it's pretty peaceful presently.  Oh, Lord, please let it last!!!  

It's hairy at times and humorous to be outnumbered by little people, especially when one of them is Pierce :)

Sisters

Shannon and my little boys

 My sisters: Angela, Shannon & Amanda

We had to run to Target this morning for a few things and as crazy as it can be, I'm so glad my kids have siblings who will forever be their friends.

Devastated

Those who know me, know that I need coffee in the morning.  It's not an addiction, it's just part of my routine (denial).  

Well, the coffee pot gave out Saturday morning, but I was able to revive it for a few more days. However,  this drizzly Tuesday morning I woke up, fed the baby, and started the coffee - but nothing happened.  Seriously, there is nothing better than a hot cuppa joe on a rainy morning.  I can happily do dishes and laundry and all manner of otherwise tiresome tasks with vim, vigor and vitality if I am, all the while, sipping breakfast blend.  Devastated, I made some English Breakfast tea that did not hit the spot.

So, before considering my morning a complete and utter loss, I packed up the kids and drove through Starbucks - thank you mom for the gift card!

Choose Life

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."  John 1:4 

The New Living Translation says, "Life itself was in Him."  

We just started a new Bible study at church.  It's an inductive study on the book of John.  So, here's my question of the week:  how many days of my life do I truly choose Life?  Seriously, half the time I forget to eat breakfast, much less take time in the morning to acknowledge and praise the Source of my life (no wonder I forget to eat).  

So, the last few days I've really purposed and practiced getting up and focussing my heart and mind on Christ, even if it's the boys fighting over something that wakes me up in the morning, or Alayna crying, etc.  (It's rare in mommy land to wake up all by yourself - someone always does it for me). 

I set my alarm for 6 am all week long.  I got up once at 6.  I don't think Satan wants me to wake up early.  One morning Alayna woke up hungry at 4:30 (she never does that).  I got her back in bed by 5 and I almost fell back to sleep when Pierce came wondering in just before 6.  I pulled him into bed with me and laid there with him until he fell back to sleep.  When I finally got up, Hudson was awake and wanting breakfast.  I fixed him breakfast and Pierce woke up.  I fixed Pierce breakfast and made the coffee, then Alayna woke up.  And the morning was gone.  

So, I've simplified my goals.  I may not get an hour of uninterrupted prayer in the morning, but I can acknowledge my Savior who is my LIFE and my LIGHT and know that if in all my ways I acknowledge HIM, He will direct my paths for the mommy days:  days where my feet and my hands never stop moving, when I forget to eat, when I've changed diapers and wiped bottoms and cleaned up messes and broken up fights, when I've offered instruction and applied discipline and wiped tears and blown noses, and given hugs and kisses.  It doesn't mean my days are a breeze or a bed of roses, but I have direction, and peace and joy and hope for the days ahead.

Baby Days

Baby Hudson with Daddy

Mommy with Hudson (2) and Baby Pierce

Hud & Pierce

Alayna Serene

3 Little Freddys

Pierce's Birthday

We're celebrating Pierce's 2nd birthday today.  This morning he has already put his hand in the middle of his cake and gotten lost at Kohl's twice.  Happy Birthday Pierce!