Encouragement

Holidays are filled with hustle and bustle...filled with good tidings and cheer...filled with STRESS?!?! ...TEARS?!?!...stress about STRESS and TEARS?!?!  Whether you're juggling a dozen "light" loads or buckling under one life-or-death burden, Matthew 11:28 reminds us that Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  This is not the time of year to set aside quiet time with the Lord but the time to meditate on  His Word.  Even when it is not easy, thank God for what is good (the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ for starters) and cry to Him about what seems unbearable.  He knows all about submitting to the will of the Father when the flesh wants an easier way out (Mark 11:35-36).  Last week when I was struggling with a bit of the blues, a few things happened to pick me up.   One, I received the news that cancer had returned to a young child from my hometown which  gave me much needed perspective in dealing with the mundane of motherhood.  The other thing was a mentor friend of mine suggested that I just cry out to God for some help to lift my spirit and return the joy to my soul and be encouraged by the Psalms.  When looking for some guided reading I stumbled across a book on our shelf, Streams in the Desert. (this is a link to the free ebook version) I sat down with it and began to read a few days at a time, looking up the devotions that were based in Psalms and then finding myself just reading on.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this devotion book for you or as a gift for anyone who may need to be encouraged or just gain a bit of perspective. 

Here's the entry from December 8 which has stuck with me.  
As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness.  (Col 3:12)
There is an old story of an elderly man who always carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and when he would go through a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges.  If he encountered a gate that was hard to open, he would oil the latch.  And so he went through life, lubricating all the difficult places, making it easier for all those who came after him.  People called the man eccentric, strange, and crazy, but he went steadily on, often refilling his can of oil when it was nearly empty, and oiling all the difficult places he found.
In this world, there are many lives that painfully creak and grate as they go about their daily work.  Often it seems that nothing goes right for them and that they need lubricating with "the oil of joy" (ps 45:7), gentleness, or thoughtfulness.
Do you carry your own can of oil with you?  Are you ready with your oil of helpfulness each morning?  If you offer your oil to the person nearest you, it may just lubricate the entire day for him.  Your oil of cheerfulness will mean more than you know to someone who is downhearted.  Or the oil may be a word of encouragement to a person who is full of despair.  Never fail to speak it, for our lives may touch others only once on the road of life, and then our paths may diverge, never to meet again.  
The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable, ready to receive the redeeming grace of the Savior.  A pleasant word is a bright ray of sunshine on a saddened heart.  Therefore give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest.


We cannot know the grief that men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way.  Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken;
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.


Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Romans 12:10

Thanksgiving Feast

Andrew's preschool offered us the opportunity to visit his class of a Thanksgiving Feast (that is, before Thanksgiving, just a wee bit behind).

Andrew's art work says "I am thankful for my family."

Lila's artwork from Thanksgiving says "I am thankful for ARIEL."

Tremendously thankful for the little people in my life!

Lila's 3rd birthday Part 2 (Disney on Ice)

For Lila's birthday, we took the kids to Princess Wishes (Disney on Ice).  When we first told them about it, Andrew asked if he could stay home with Dad.  Lila, of course, was thrilled and asked if she could wear a princess costume.  The kids were already worn out a bit from birthday festivities so I was a prepared for the possibility of moodiness.  They did great!  Lila like all the princesses, especially Cinderella.  When she rode by on her carriage, Lila stood up and waved screaming "Hi Cinderella, hi Cinderella!" over and over.  Then she turned to me and said "She doesn't see me!"  When she passed by a second time, she waved in our general direction and I suggested that I thought she had waved at her. (wink, wink)  Andrew really liked the battle scene between Prince Phillip and the dragon.

Cinderella waving to Lila

 We let the kids pick one item from the show.  Lila came home with a light up Ariel wand while Andrew picked the light up dragon.

We changed the kids before we buckled them back in the car.  They were out cold in no time.

Lila's 3rd birthday Part 1

Lila began her birthday celebration at preschool last week with cookies for her class.

Lila's third birthday party was Saturday so we treated the day as if it were her actual birthday. She woke up and opened a few gifts and then we let her have her big birthday gift (from family and friends) since it was hard to hide.

Lila running to her dollhouse.

Putting Rapunzal straight to bed.

Lila's birthday celebration was at a gymnastics facility in town.  She was so excited to run and jump and loved leading the line of her friends around the gym.  My camera settings were off and I failed to capture some of her favorite moments.  It's so hard to balance capturing memories with taking them all in.  She was hilarious break dancing on the trampoline and also seemed to love running around on the parachute.

Receiving her gold birthday medal from her "coach".

Getting ready for "Happy Birthday"

On the way home she declared "Now I'm 3!"

Andrew picked out a little puppy to give to her.  He was so excited for her!

That night we took the kids to see Disney Princesses on Ice.  Post coming soon!

Costume Parades

 The kids had costume parades at school this week.  Lila's teachers really love to party so they paraded every day!  She loves dressing up and was excited that we had some borrowed and thrown together things so she got to be someone new everyday.  Andrew wanted to be a bounty hunter from the first mention of costume.  He had a great time being Boba Fett.  I had fun walking with Lila on Tuesday and Andrew on Wednesday as they trick or treated around the school.  It was also cool to see Lila and Andrew get excited to see each other as they passed in the halls "that's my brother!"

Today was one of those days that  - as chaotic as it was trying to juggle the things I wanted to do with the things I needed to do while they are at school - I am super thankful that I get the PRIVILEGE to call "mom" my full time career.

Monday - Snow White

Tuesday - Ariel

Wednesday - Super Girl

Wednesday - Boba Fett

 

Mommy Playtime

Saturday I traveled to Crossfit Beaumont to compete in a little friendly competition.  It was such a great day.  The weather was mild.  There were plenty of people there to make it fun but not so many that it was utter chaos.  AND my biggest fans got to come watch the whole thing!  Drew brought the kids and during the second workout which was a MAX lift they were just a few feet away from me.  It was so cool to hear them cheering and see their sweet smiles.  Here are a few pics from the day. 

Crossfit Katy competitors

Messy Moments

The kids and I are enjoying this pleasant Houston fall SO MUCH!  What started out as a painting project turned into a BODY painting project.  I'm not much for messes, but the kids were having so much fun I made an effort to just let go. 

  

Lila and Andrew had a blast playing super heroes and bad guys with their painted hands and feet.

September 2010

Come check out my new blog

It's about food!  I'm no expert but I have learned a few things in the past few years.  As the Mama, I control just about everything that my husband, kids, and I eat.  I can make a difference one mouth at a time.  

Meals that Matter

Men!

Picked up Andrew from school in the carpool lane.  As I always do, I greeted him, "Hey bud!  How was your day?!?!"  To which my sweet BOY answered with a big smile, "I don't want to say anything."  

Good thing I was reminded at the Love and Respect conference this weekend that men (& boys) just like quiet shoulder to shoulder time...not so many details.

And Andrew was asleep in 5 minutes!

School time once again!

Today the kids started back to preschool (can I get a hallelujah?!).  They will both go three days this year.  I just cannot believe a year from now Andrew will be off to Kinder.  Andrew is in the zebra class with 16 other 4 year olds.  Lila is in the elephant class with the "older 2s".  Each day her class size differs with as few as 6 but no more than 10.  Both kids walked in without any fuss this morning - Andrew a little reserved, Lila telling stories before she got through the door.  I am incredibly eager to hear how the day went for both of them.

Here's a little flashback from last year:

And the year before:

Space Center Houston

Today we visited Space Center Houston.  The place was empty which was great since I get a bit overwhelmed with the crowds.  There was one group that came in just before we got on the tram -- an assisted living center.  So no lines.  The kids enjoyed the Star Wars exhibit, the play structure, and liked walking through the space craft.  Lila didn't understand the "museum" aspect of it and kept asking if we were going to see "real space men."  

Andrew so excited to see the Star Wars Exhibit

Lila with the only "girl" thing in the whole place

I have such a hard time get "sibling" photos so please excuse the large blue rail.

Since riding a bike upside-down is not part of my daily routine, I decided to give it a try.

(As I type, Lila is playing in a large empty box talking about "outer space" so I guess some parts stuck with her.)

What would we do without...

Legos and paint?!

Getting us through the late summer lulls.

I just didn't realize

Lila's first morning waking up in her big girl bed

Last week Lila moved out of her crib.  Drew and I had been talking about it for a long time since she crawled in and out of her crib and has been potty trained for a few months.  We have procrastinated in refinishing the bed that would be hers so we'd just left her in the crib.  Lila is very particular.  She is a very good staller...something Andrew just never did.  She wants certain books and if she is awake in her crib for too long, she would yell out for us to get her more books.  Then she began using the potty as an excuse to call out.  One night last week I had enough.  The next morning I bought mattresses and tore down her crib and moved out her rocking chair.  It wasn't until I laid down with her that night that I realized I hadn't taken a picture of her sleeping in her crib in some time.  Then I realized that I just might not ever rock her to sleep again.  In such a rush, I lost a few precious moments.

My baby girl is getting so big.  She loves to look at books in her bed.  She arranges her babies on the     end of her bed so they can listen to her stories.  She was given a few princess gowns and wants to wear one every night.  It won't be long and she'll be blowing out 3 candles on her birthday cake.  Gotta remember to slow down and take this all in.