Friday, April 6, 2019
Today is a day for rain boots and mud puddles. The farrier came this morning. The kids sploshed around in all of the good puddles in the driveway while we worked on the horses. Now we're walking around the peaceful, cloudy backyard with grape suckers from the bank. The birds' songs are fewer and softer today; very nice soundtrack. I'm sitting on the porch journaling while Katie and Mason tromp around aimlessly, surveying the sky, inspecting the paper-bark on the cedar tree. Katie is completely lost in her own thoughts, Mason simply following and watching and licking his sucker. 30 and 18 months old, respectively. Sometimes I wonder if I'm being really irresponsible and a bad mom, letting them have minor adult interaction and instruction and interference while outside. Is it lazy? Honestly, I just really enjoy watching their uninterrupted selves. Sure, I bring things like laundry outside to do; but they rarely get done because I just like to watch my kids play and interact with each other and the world around them. I have mostly good and mature kids. Usually if they're being naughty outside of the realm of having an unmet need, it's when we're inside.They don't like being cooped up.
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| My two sisters with their handsomest nephew. |
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| Reading their mail from great-grandma Rhonda |
Monday, April 8, 2019
I can't believe it's April 9 already.
Today has been less than great. I got some important stuff done; but mostly I'm unmotivated and moody. Being moody brings on the guilt -- I've been bipolar for days now. I'm just really overwhelmed. Especially by guilt over not accomplishing my Bible reading.
Then I got my (belated) MOPS packet today. Included was a 20-day devotional. I went ahead and read the first one and was immediately floored by God's love for me. Isaiah 40:11 says that "He will gently lead the nursing ewes." I want to break down and cry at such a reminder; but I'm parenting two boisterous toddlers, hoping my husband walks through the door at any second.
"There is nothing you can do in the course of a day to ruin, squander, or fracture God's love for you. And there is also nothing you can do to get more." -devo
Isaiah 43:18-19 is also helpful: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
"The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made." Psalm 145:9
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| During the plague we dealt with this weekend. High fevers, cranky attitudes, and nasty poops. |
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Seeing God at work puts a song in our hearts. How have I seen God at work today?
- I have received wonderful words of encouragement -- both direct and indirect -- from people who have no idea of the struggle the last few days has been for me.
- My husband gives me patient grace. Always.
- I miraculously got all of my homework accomplished by the deadline!!! And I did 100% work!!
- He gave us a beautiful day and the ability and willingness to be outside and be refreshed by nature.
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| Four generations: My dad's dad, my dad, my brother, and my son |
Friday, April 12, 2019
Baby Thomas #3 is officially in the oven! Making this a Christmas baby; and due while my parents are in Europe. Whoops.
We had a fantastic message at MOPS yesterday about "parenting right when our kids are wrong." ie. identifying our triggers and making a plan to parent in maturity when our kids are acting like kids. And I was thinking how enough two kids can be for me right now. At an earlier time this week, I was contemplating truly resting in the Lord's timing for our third baby. Now, boom! -- we have a baby on the way!
Three things I'm grateful for today:
- Definitely this new baby. Thank You for having faith in me as a mom, Lord. Teach me to run to and lean on You.
- MOPS has become such a refuge for me; a place of encouragement and sound teaching for momming in the Lord's strength.
- This past Spring semester to finish my Associates during the single year I did not have a new baby!
"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17
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| 8 weeks and 10 weeks |
Saturday, April 13, 2019
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19
We took the kids to their first rodeo last night. We got rained out, but everybody had a blast! Katie keeps telling us her favorite part was the "cow chasing", or bulldogging. She kept shouting, "Do it again!"Mason was mesmerized by the longhorns that were pastured behind the bleachers.
Three things I'm grateful for today:
- My garden. I put together and planted the peppers, tomatoes, and herb bed today. I love growing things!
- A daughter who loves to be outside just as much as I do (if not more!)
- A husband who was willing to drive us out for a late night at the rodeo even though he got a work call at 3am. I truly don't deserve Jacob.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Ok, lots to report:
Within the space of 5 days I adopted 17,000 rescue plants from Jacob's uncle (not an accurate number, but definitely close), a shop kitten Jacob brought home, and we began fostering/training my best friend's new Belgian Malinois puppy. And roughly 2.5 weeks ago we adopted a kitten from the shelter to keep Milly company. Little did we know what the rest of this month would hold... *facepalm*
I'm entering my second trimester, my house is a disaster, I'm in over my head -- but I'm surviving and trying to focus on the little things.
And I desperately need deodorant and to brush my teeth...
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| Minnie, Katie's shelter kitten |
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| Helping me repot our hundreds of plants |
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| Jacob's shop kitty rescue. I named her Pickles because I'm craving pickle chips this week. lol |
