Crazy Blissful Moments

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. {Just WoW.} Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises , so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure , they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and elec...

The only thing I really hate about pregnancy, for myself, is that I become irritated so easily by things that normally wouldn't bother me so much. Last night, Miah had a tickle in his throat all night long. Every single time I would fall asleep, he would AHEM or cough or clear his throat really loud. Finally, after being irritated for a while, I got up and got him a cough drop. The next time he made noise I asked him if he needed one. He willingly took it but then it was a whole range of other annoying sounds that came from him. Crunching on the cough drop, the cough drop clinking around in his mouth, etc. Let me just say, when he finally left for work this morning, I slept the best I slept all night. And now I know why God has been hammering home Ephesians 4:6 in me. Its just like God to wait until I am in the MOST teachable place to really work this out in me. Bearing with one another in love. Looking past all the irritating things that jump out at me right now and loving i...

What's with that phrase anyway? The cat is out of the bag? What was the cat doing in the bag in the first place? And what does that have to do with keeping a secret?! Well, last night at dinner my sweet Mister G, who is always the first to notice when I've done something different with my hair or polished my nails or gotten a new shirt, says to me "Mom, I feel like you're going to have another baby." A bit taken back, I said "Wow, G. What makes you think that?!" He looks at me and says "I don't know why. I just feel like that." Miah, who hasn't been feeling well, was downstairs laying down. I called him up and told Mister G to tell him what he just said to me. He proceeds to tell Miah what he said and Miah said to him "Well, did you ask her? If that's true?" Mister G looks at me and says "Mom, are you having a baby?" I smiled at him and said "Yes, I am." He stared at me for the longest time and smiled ...

Sunday we attended Riverside (our old home church) for Miah's nephew's baby dedication. Though it was nice to be only 5 minutes away from church, we both were sad we weren't able to go to Freshwater. In the car on the way home, both of us strongly agreed that being there only made us even more thankful for the beautiful fellowship and deep friendships we have at Freshwater. We really love our home church. God has blessed us so richly through the body at Freshwater-- and we are so thankful! I have been thinking a lot about relationships lately. Those I love deeply and those I am praying grace to love as well. I am endlessly thankful for friendships I have that are so deep and real-- and so loving . And my continuing prayer for those relationships I struggle with is that I will see them more and more through the eyes of Jesus. Only then will I be able to fully love them with no reservation. Jesus, in the days, weeks, months to come as I encounter those who are "unlovabl...

I started a post yesterday-- something about getting 'back in the saddle again' but since my sweet kids are on spring break all week... I got interrupted and alas, here I am-- REstarting, yet again. As I have been praying about the worship retreat, I have been more and more convicted about the need to honor Miah by going. I have already made arrangements for the big kids, it is just baby Z who needs a place to stay. I am struggling with who to ask to take her for the weekend... I don't feel like she sees my parents enough to be with them the whole weekend, and though she sees my in-laws more frequently, I am unsure about leaving her there.  Jesus, I need your guidance and wisdom. Please help me to know the best place for Z to be... and give me peace. You know my heart is struggling with leaving her but I know you will honor my heart to honor my husband. And I thank you for that. Tonight, besides being emotional about baby Z, I am also feeling emotional about somethi...

Not really insane but there have been moments when I thought maybe I am going a little crazy. Turns out poor sweet baby Z has ear infections that would make the worst bacteria proud. No wonder she has been so sleepy during the day and allowing me to hold her to fall asleep (she usually prefers to be laid down and to put herself to sleep). I can't say I am sad about that last part. I really do enjoy having her fall asleep in my arms- all warm and cuddly and soft and deliciously cute. Still, I am quite sad that she is already having ear troubles. Sweet Z being sick hasn't made things any easier this week, neither has the constant battle of wills I am fighting with the 5 year old. I have to admit that after his mandatory nap today, he was like a different child. And let me tell you, that was a joyful relief in light of what we have been dealing with this week..... I can literally FEEL myself being stretched and though the feeling isn't exactly wonderful, it does come with a ce...

I got up this morning just after nursing baby Z (who coincidentally went right back to sleep) thinking it was soooo quiet in the house-- and though early (6:45-- which is early around here) I thought what a perfect time to go downstairs to try to do some blogging before I am bombarded by 8 hungry children and starting a racetrack/chaotic kind of day. Lo and behold, when I got downstairs, I could hear the 3 boys (6, 5, & 5) crowing like roosters and other such craziness. At least they were still in their room. Alas, within minutes they emerged. It was like they could just sense I was down here. Now they are playing behind me while I try to focus my thoughts over their excited voices, the dogs barking in the garage, and the other dog whining like she's dying in the entry. (Its our own fault... we taught her not to bark... so now she whines-- and some days its like nails on a chalkboard to me.) I suspect it will be soon that I will be hearing from the girls (11, 10, & 9) and t...

The coffee has been brewed, I have had my first cup, and it is considerably earlier than I am used to getting up. How do you say no to the big dark brown eyes of baby Z? And her sweet coos? And her smile?! When she decided to get up so early.... I took her to her room to change her and she was talking and smiling and so happy to be awake :) It was like she was telling me all about her dreams. What a little lover! Reminds me a little of myself-- years ago-- when we were first married. Early mornings were my favorite . The second the alarm went off, I sat up and was excited about the day. Funny how lack of sleep and kids and life change all that. Though I still maintain that morning is my favorite time of day-- I can hardly function properly without a decent amount of sleep. So, while she plays on the floor next to me, I decided to start early on my blogging today. Sleep will get me later. You know, the beauty of accountability and transparency is that once its out there... sin/despai...

Ha. Well, not really the worst of times-- I'll admit that was pretty dramatic. And not entirely true. But it was a tough night.... to put it plainly. It isn't too often these days that we get into fights, especially over silly things. But yesterday... yesterday was terrible . And it wasn't your typical yelling kind of fight ( I hate yelling-- and very rarely do). It was the kind of fight that makes me walk away feeling like dirt. The kind that leaves me so sadly broken that I start to question who I am....... So, I had one of my dear friend's girls here yesterday because she was going to dance with my girls. I knew Miah was having a stressful day at work so I worked really hard to clean up and organize the basement (acts of service is one of his top love languages) because I knew he would appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of a clean basement after a stressful day. After busting my bum cleaning, I got all 6 kids ready, fed (even baby Z), and out the door ex...