Category Archives: grace

Here we are…

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A few short weeks from delivery of our second little one and my excitement is finally rising. I have been excited but there is something about having child number two that puts family in perspective. My family. No longer are we a small group floating along we will be an even number. As many dependents as adults will reside in this home. It is sobering.

I can’t recall how many days out of the week my twenty something self feels like an adult, a functioning adult, but today is one. I look around at the home I reside in and am overwhelmed with the journey here. So many memories floating back. And it is good. Life is good. God is good.

The early years

The once fun man cave has been turned into a nursery complete with diaper genie. That will send you a wake up alone. Only an adults house has a diaper genie. Only a responsible home keeper thinks of diaper disposal. Where have the days gone?

And with the passing of more time we are closer to separation once again. Duty calls. I am so grateful to have an uplifting partner that knows the power of his words. Everyday a new affirmation of our life together. A new piece of love to keep me plowing on, down this unknown road. He is beautiful in that way.

I see friends struggle with the coming time apart. Spouses that have given their fair share of strength to the role of military wife shaken at the promise of another time apart. I have no words for them only faith. Faith that is growing with every dark thought swept aside and every reassuring word. In all things He is there. In all things He remains faithful.

Our newest addition!

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The Heart of a Mother(‘s Day)

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One of the things I, conveniently, had forgotten about pregnancy was the dreadful insomnia. When My Sweets is sleeping I lay awake unable to sleep, when he is awake I can barely keep my eyes open. This too shall pass but I am just now remembering my previous pregnancy clearly. I have to say that a healthy baby is one of the greatest blessings I have received but it still brings back memories. Memories of sitting through NSTs galore and memorizing magazines on my OBs waiting room wall. I worried so much with baby number one. Do I feel the baby move as much today? Did I sleep on the wrong side last night? Did that have caffeine in it? So much worry.
After it all was said and done I remember taking in my little wrinkly peaches leg folds and yawn creases. I remember the huge relief that this baby was so healthy and here. He was and still is my baby that God has gifted me, entrusted to me. To raise and protect until the end of my days. It is these thoughts that probably have contributed to my insomnia this go around. Not thoughts of worry this time but enormous thoughts of gratitude.
This week has been exhausting and still I lay awake sometimes staring at him. Thanking God for giving me the opportunity of such a great love. Thanking God for loving me that much.

How I Love It

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The weekends when he is home are heaven. Usually they involve a break for Mommy and a long bath. Those little moments stolen away alone to just be…without noise. The moments flowing with kind words of encouragement from my spouse who finally is allowed a day to slow down.
It is in these quiet moments that I find peace in the imperfection of life.
Just as the great Creator accepts us, wholly and in light of our past sins, marriage is built. Someone to accept you and your love. Imperfect and beautiful in all its intention. Someone to pick up your spirits in the light of a utterly boring or depressing week. Grateful to my imperfectly perfect Husband for his love and kindness. When others fail to encourage a partner that is there in love. And I am grateful to God for the gentle reminder of who I should be in this union in return.
Wishing you a love filled weekend break that will encourage and recharge you as well.

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Day In, Day Out

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To put it frankly the life of a Military stay at home mother and wife can be very bland many days. We haven’t a great deal of close relations around us or life long friends nearby. We don’t have a history with most places we live. So on days when things go a little south it is easy to become inverted. Today is one of those days.
I was blessed enough to have the foresight to marry a man that understood “in sickness and in health” would occasionally mean bringing home supper for his ailed wife. That was the highlight of my day. I composed myself enough to shower and dress without my makeup or hair done, something I vowed I’d never do just because I had children. However, today sank me. I laid on the couch and listened to soothing music most of the day while sipping Ginger ale and eating rice cakes. If it weren’t for this wicked sore throat today would have been the epitome of relaxation.
Being so far from family I was on my own with my little teething monster today. In between gagging sessions and coughing fits I managed to laugh at his goofy grin. Not to mention the way he manages to fit a whole building block in his mouth before producing such a grin.
It is funny when you see things around you clearly, the bad days don’t seem bad.
Hubby came home to help tonight-check. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat- check. Our health- well I’ll say check just the same. God is good. All the time.

Weekly Roundout

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This week my whole world has been turned upside down by the way I have been feeling. I am delighted to say my husband and I are…

once more! So overjoyed with this news and so very tired. My normal pick me up caffeine has to be changed so sleeping longer hours these days is the only solution I have found. The days seem to slip by faster and faster now while I lie in my pregnancy coma. On top of this exciting time my dear husband has hit the road. My Sweets and I will be making the best of this Easter just us two. I am also gearing up for family to visit for a week and little one’s first birthday. My hands have been a bit full!

So here are my last goals and my progress I made this week:

1. Try one new recipe. Tried two actually. Pasta with brocolli and chicken sausage that can be found here. I am not too fond of the recipe since it was very bland. I would tweak it and use cubed mozzarella and Italian seasoning. Recipe number two was from (never home) maker for Frozen banana bites. They were yummy but very sweet. I may try with dark chocolate next time.

2. Exercise 30 minutes everyday. With the exception of the weekend I did!

3. Outline our Easter brunch menu.

4. Return to my neglected quilt.

5. Complete menu planning for the upcoming Birthday party!

6. Finish the Money Saving Mom’s Budget audiobook.

7. Update Mommy tummy challenge. See above ;)

8. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

I did a less than stellar job at these this past week. But as with anything we have to allow ourselves GRACE when need be.

Goals this week:

1. Clean out closet.

2. Organize DVD/video games in their new home.

3. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

4. Complete party planning.

5. Prepare menu for upcoming week.

6 . Complete freezer cooking session.

7. Compile home cookbook.

8. Create menu board.

9. Donate no longer used toys.

It is a new week and time to hit the ground running! What are your goals?

Welcome Monday!

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If that chipper greeting has you wanting to hide back under the covers I am sorry, but  feeling extra blessed today. The baby woke up six plus times last night for his sixth tooth, I had to wash My Sweets sheets very early this morning (fun), my husband didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast and I have to bustle out to store to get a few things I forgotten (eep) before everyone is let out for lunch (serious traffic at lunch time on an Army base, don’t mess with a solider and his food!). How am I feeling blessed after the lack of sleep and aromatic greeting (!) this morning? God has given our little family another day together.

I can focus on the negative of what the day has already held or I can begin counting every blessing. When I take inventory of everything God has provided, everything past a need, I can’t help but feel so blessed today and everyday. I am not trying to minimize the suffering many people are going through. I know there are some people really hurting, we all have things we don’t share. But know that God placed you here and now for a purpose. You were no accident and were created with love. To change the world? Maybe! So join me in setting our resolve to make a positive impact on the day and work to bless others.

Come what may, we always have today!

A Good Reminder

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Today hubby and I ventured out to find a new church. Somewhere we would fit in this new town and hopefully contribute our gifts. The place we last attended was a massive, overflowing church.  The service would be video recorded and broadcast worldwide. The graphics and lights would be captivating to draw in the younger crowd and hold their attention. While the music was so beautiful it was praise worthy of all ages. They had a cafe and several buildings to accommodate the growing ministry.

There are no churches like that here. Well at least none I have seen. Most have a service attendance of around 100 and the one we visited was no exception. The small sanctuary was right next to the one stall restroom and the coffee was served on a roll away server. The people were pleasant and casually dressed as the bustled into the small room. Worship began with some unfamiliar songs and continued that way. But when our young Pastor got up and delivered his sermon I felt at home. We had found our new church.

I thought of, on the way home, how we had clinged to our old church. Served there and worshiped there as new faces came and the walls buckled to accommodate all that stayed. There was such a realization on my part. How closely we cling to what is familiar. We cling to it even if our purpose is expired there and we are needed elsewhere. Even if we feel lost in the bustle and rhythm of things we still favor what is familiar. But that is not what God wants from us. He does not require we show up to a designated place at a designated time to receive our designated blessings. He wishes for us to bless others to pour out our gifts on places and people who have no others. Areas that have a need.

I learned so much from today’s sermon though I feel the real lesson was in getting there. Or better put, the true lesson today was in allowing God to place me somewhere new. With new challenges and new faces. If I am to truly grow in my faith I must venture out in faith. And that is the lesson, venture out into the world and find a new place to bless with the love God has provided. Who knows where it may lead you…

A Daily Walk

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Sometimes it feels like we are so far from our life’s purpose we will never achieve it. We hope to just make it through another day another hour even without hope that things will get better. Sometimes it feels like we are slipping far from what and who we want to be as an example to our children, friends and in our marriage. It is so important to know that we do not have to carry our burdens alone. God is here to shoulder the pain you are facing. Leaning on Him all things all possible and all transgressions are forgiven.

Before I found God in my life I did not have much hope for many things. I was cynical and angry. Why? Because of the the hurt in the world. Because of all the hurt in my own life. But the day I found God’s word I felt a change in myself. I started to see things through His word and feel for things through His heart. Today I see His love and grace in so many things simply by casting my cares on Him. Know you are not alone in your burdens. Give them to God, trust in His plan for your life and begin to see a change in your life. You can start right now by praying for his healing for you.

This video is such a good example of how far gone we can be.God can bring you back to His plan for your life. Remember you do not need a good beginning to have a great end…

In God’s Love

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I am in such an uplifted spirit today. Well, lately I am uplifted, period. In this place with my little family, building our house into a home, it is hard not to feel God’s presence. Just looking at my dear son and knowing how much I love him only to realize that God adores us even more. He loves us so strongly it shadow our comprehension of the emotion. Walking in His love on a daily basis, when a person recognizes it is there, is so unbelievably uplifting.

To know how far I am from perfect, to know the sins that are so human and common, and He gives me grace. Such grace that everyday I am able to start anew in my faith. It makes a person want want to pass on the grace to others. To show others the love of God. I hope that in the end my life will have amounted to a small step in this direction. Towards loving others. Not judging others. Towards showing the love of God. A drip in the bucket we all are but together maybe it amounts to a difference.

Just Above the Water

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All this movement has caught up with me and I am out for the count today. Had plans for some fun but unfortunately this cold I have  been battling all week finally won. The baby was up every 2 hours last night and I dreary and a ghastly sight wandered in and out of his room. I think he might be this sicknesses next target. This morning hubby took over and I was able to get some sleep but I still feel dreadful. Think I might need to be seen…ugh. The doctor’s office. Who enjoys that on a weekend?
There is still so much organizing to do but I guess that has to wait. To the couch I go for a productive day. Hope you all enjoy your weekend.