My Crazy Life

Sometimes I go to bed wondering how I made it through the day. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to make it through the day. Most days, I wouldn't trade for the world! I have 3 children who are currently under two. Three are in diapers. Two of the three are potty training. One is an infant and nursing which means 11 pm nights, 5:00 am mornings and usually at least one "middle-of- the-night" feeding. I work full time 40 hrs a week answering phone calls from home for an insurance company.
One of my favorite times of day is bed time. Right after dinner we go in for a bath (most nights anyway). The twins then brush their teeth "spitting" at the end. We then get binks and a book and mommy reads a "story". After saying goodnight and giving love to everyone at our house, the twins go down the hall to their room where they "climb" into their crib put blankets "on you" and love an animal. Mommy and Daddy then sing 1 verse of Jesus Loves me before turning on the humidifier and closing the door. I love this routine and I love the sweet girls that make it so much fun!

Friends

Over the course of my life I have been blessed with some very good friends. Friends I knew I could count on that invested time in me and I in them. Friends who love me in spite of my VERY many faults and who push me to look to God first and allow Him to work in my life. I have had friends who God has used to get me through some very hard times in my life. I can't begin to say how much I value them. It is these people who have taught me what it truly means to be a friend to sacrifice of yourself for someone else.
A few things I have learned along the way:
It is impossible to be a friend to someone you don't know.
You don't have to have everything in common to be a friend- you just have to be yourself!
Friendship takes time- it is an investment but can be soo worth while.
Friendship requires vulnerability and trust- neither are easy.
Last but not least, a true friend pushes you to know God and love Him first with all your heart. Without God at the center, it is impossible to experience the true joy of a real friendship.

Simple Things

Chocolate
Coffee
Lemonade
Candles
Quiet
.... Never Underestimate the Value of Quiet :)

Our Life

Is it just me or have the past 5 weeks flown by? I am having a VERY rare moment of "alone time" (which now means occasionally walking over to give Caeli her "bink" as she lays in her swing). So what has been happening at our house?

Some of this:


A lot of this....

And this...


And we can definitely use a little more of this!

Lots of fun...


By far the most exhausting, exasperating,wonderful... truly the greatest job in the world. I would trade it for a thing. Now, off to find some toothpicks to keep my eyes open just a little longer. :)

Keep a-Goin'

Wanted to share this poem- I have appreciated hearing it through many different stages in my life when I needed a little "practical" encouragement :)

Keep a-Goin’
Frank L. Stanton

If you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin’!
If it hails or if it snows,
Keep a -goin’!
‘Taint no use to sit an’ whine
When the fish ain’t on your line;
Bait your hook an’ keep a-tryin’—
Keep a-goin’!

When the weather kills your crop,
Keep a-goin’!
Though ‘tis work to reach the top,
Keep a-goin’!
S’pose you’re our o’ ev’ry dime,
Gittin’ broke ain’t any crime;
Tell the world you’re feelin’ prime—
Keep a-goin’!

When it looks like all is up,
Keep a-goin’!
Drain the sweetness from the cup,
Keep a-goin’!
See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like surgin’, sing—
Keep a-goin’!

God's Blessings

Working full time as a home based rep for an insurance company, mothering and being the wife of a youth pastor keeps me on my toes all the time. Sometimes, there are days when Justin and I see each other only to say good night. Admittedly, there are times when I want to throw in the towel and give up- maybe find a deserted island somewhere to “veg” for a while. It seems like it is always those times when God brings a particular special blessing my way. I am not talking specifically about a monetary blessing (although sometimes it may come in that form) but a blessing that reminds me why I agreed take on all these responsibilities. Sometimes the blessing comes in the form one of the twins saying mama lolu and wrapping their chubby little arms around my neck sometimes it is a note from a friend saying they are praying for me. Still other times it is one of the teens getting saved or giving their life to God. Sometimes it is God providing for a need or even a want in some unexpected way where you know He was the only one who could work it out. I have grown to love each and every one of these moments. In Luke 2:19 it says “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” I often feel like this when one of those moments comes along. I try to write them down in my journal so when difficult days come I can still “count my blessings and name them one by one.” God is so good to remind us of His loving care. He alone makes it all worthwhile! Just thought I would share my heart and how God has encouraged me. What has God used to encourage you?