Time...

Ah...The ever elusive time.  We are never content, it seems, with the time we have been given.  We want it to slow down, speed up, we need more of it, there just doesn't seem to be enough time to go around!  What is it about life that makes us beg for it to slow, or for more of it?  I mean we can't really make more time.  We all are given the exact same amount of time in the day, and we need to learn how to make the most of what we have been given.

Being put in the hospital on bed rest for 5 weeks, plus the recovery time at the end, has really made me realize that time is all in what we make it!  Now, I have known this before, and have always thought of myself at being a good time manager.  And to be honest, I thought the worst part about this whole bed rest thing was all the "wasted" time I was going to have.  I mean really, what on earth was I supposed to do with 5 weeks of "free time?"  Free time was barely accounted for in my day to day living.  I mean, I chase and train four small children around all day! When they are sleeping it is time to catch up...do the dishes, the laundry, the sweeping, the mopping(so no one falls trying to run on the wet floor!).  Me time-well that just wasn't really in the plans.  That was something I could maybe squeeze in from 10p-11p at night, and usually by that point I was too tired, I would do my quiet time, and then just stare at the wall! Kind of a waste of time, but a debriefing of sorts after my busy day, which I found my body to need before I could settle into a good sleep!

What I have found out about time is even on bed rest, you can still wish for more.  Funny right??? I have been given all the time in the world.  And here I sit, wishing for more? What on earth is wrong with me?  We live in such a busy, go go go world, it is so hard to just be, and I mean really be in the moment.  I have learned to be content, and to love the moment that I am in.  And I am actually loving my bed rest.  YES, you heard that correct, I am loving it. And no it isn't because I don't have to spend my day chasing kids around from sun up to sun down, because I miss that part of my day. I yearn for the day when I get to do all that again, and get to bask in the little moments with my children. And I know that day will come soon (relatively speaking!).  I have already finished 2 weeks here at the hospital.  I have no idea where those two weeks have gone.  I thought I would have made a chain counting down the days until I can break out of here.  But instead I have chosen to give myself tasks, deadlines, and the ability to do things for myself.  This has been a wonderful time of refreshment for my soul. I have been able to paint my toenails without 4 heads watching me, and trying to touch the pretty polish! (I do miss that though!)  I have been able to take a long, hot shower.  I have been able to read! Read big people books!  I read a lot during the day to my children, but reading books that are good for my soul, has brought a whole new wave of refreshment to my life.  I have been able to calm myself from the busy.  Something I think we all need from time to time!  It is good for us to slow down, take a break, and just be.

God knows I don't slow down for anything, I thrive on being a goer, and packing as much on my to-do list as possible.  I am good at judging myself for the day based on how many things I got crossed off the list, or how many additional things I have added. He also knows that I need time with Him, and with myself to find myself in Him again.  And sometimes He does that in such dramatic ways, we have no choice but to shut up and listen!  Well, Lord, you have my attention, and my time.  Please help me to use this time wisely!  Help it to not slip from my finger tips, by filling it with useless things.  Help me to minister to others, and come up with my mission for the next year.  The quiet has been nice, and oh so good for my soul.  And I choose to thank you Lord, for giving me this time of peace.  A time to reflect on all you have done in my family's life, and in my own.  A time to truly reflect on you this Christmas season.  A time of anticipation, much like Mary must have felt knowing the time was near.  I cannot imagine!

"He says, Be still and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10a

The Little Things

Some days, OK most days, it is all about the little things.  All too often we get caught up in the bad that has happened that day or that moment, and we let it ruin our day, and our lives.  Am I looking at the little things? We have been sick quite a bit this winter.  With sick little ones that require extra attention, and with a sick mommy running low on energy it seems to not take much to "ruin" my day.  My motto for today specifically, but all from now on will be: What are the little things?

When I say What are the little things, I am NOT talking about the little things that can seem to ruin my whole day or run my patience dry. But rather, what are the little things that I love, what are the little things that make(made) me smile, what are the little things my children have accomplished or done today.  What are all THESE little things, all these wonderful little things given to me each and every day, and often several times a day.

So, what are my little things?  Today they are many and I'm sure I cannot list them all but it has done wonders for my attitude to remember them through out the morning.

My little things are:
The way my snuggle bug(Athaiah) climbs up into my lap asking to just be rocked.
Elijah calling his sister his sweet girl and asking if she needs anything.
Sharing and playing so nice with their barn and the animals that go with.
Their energy level, even while sick.
The baby's love of snuggle time, and her new interest in big girl food.
When Elijah hurt Athaiah(partially an accident) Athaiah pulls out her Bible and tell him "see brother, be kind to one another" -Makes my mommy heart melt that they are learning, especially when they are disciplined.
Athaiah putting her bunny and baby on the couch and covering them up, kissing them, and telling them goodnight.  It makes me think of her a long way down the road and what a wonderful little mommy she will make!
Them running through the house singing songs. I love the sound of their voices singing in unison.
Playing basketball together-the whole time saying please and thank you while taking turns shooting baskets. And being great encouragers: when they miss they let the other sibling try again,and when they make a basket they break out in applause!

This is by no means a complete list, but it is some of the little things that have made my mommy heart smile this morning.  And with a night when I was up more than I was a sleep this is what I needed today.  I needed God's gentle reminder that even when my day may "seem" bad, He is there and His love is shinning through. He is with us and guiding us.  He is helping us grow up our children according to His word, and most of all HE is there helping me make it through the day-carrying me when necessary, and reminding me of all the little things!

Take the time today to look for your little things.  All those little blessings you have been given.

Remember: "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

(I know it isn't the best quality-it was taken via skype) But I love this picture of my family!

A Gift!

Children are a GIFT! I know this may go against the cultural norm, but that doesn't bother me one bit.  People may look at me strange when I tell them what we believe and that is fine with me.  I know that every child is a gift and I will take as many as the Lord deems we should have.  People ask if that means I am going to be like that huge family on tv...my reply: If God sees it fit to bless us with that many children.  The Bible tells us they are a gift.  It tells us they are the arrows in our quivers. I love the two children that I have and if God says that is it then so be it.  I will admit I would be a bit sad but maybe we would look into adoption at that point as the Bible also commands us to care for the orphans and the fatherless.

My current children are 16months and 8wks old.  I know they are close and no we did not plan it that way.  We said Lord give us another in your great and perfect timing and he did.  When Elijah was 6 months old we found out we were pregnant again.  Hence her name Athaiah-it means in the Lord's timing because that is exactly when she came!  I can tell you I got a lot of slack for getting pregnant so quickly and for "not knowing what causes that."  I can assure you I am no dummy I am well aware of what causes that.  I also know that the Lord knows all the plans for my life and I am going to trust HIM and HIM alone with what those plans may be.  When we try to plan our lives they fall apart, they bear no fruit, and it stresses us out(at least that has been my experience). So when people ask when I will have the next one or tease me if I'm pregnant again, I just smile and say who knows! Because I don't know, Greg doesn't know, the Dr. doesn't know, only the Creator of the Universe knows and I will trust Him.  We are learning to lean on Him in every aspect of our lives and it can definitely be a struggle at times but we are learning.

I am by no means an expert at parenting and I do not pretend to be.  I am young and am constantly learning.  Each child is unique and different.  On here I will post my experience as we go through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I believe it is good for people to see us just as we are, not as fakes or as people who don't struggle because we all struggle and go through rough spots.  We all wrestle with ideas and problems.  I just look forward to enjoying the ride God has blessed us with-even the bad and the ugly!