31 July 2013

Julia's Dream


On the way to the zoo yesterday (during our 40 minute car ride) Julia shared with me and my mom that she had an interesting dream where she felt God was talking to her.

She dreamt that Grandma Judy took her shopping to get her ears pierced at Sweet and Sassy.  She got shiny earrings put in both ears, and they were beautiful.

She felt God was telling her that it was time to stop sucking her fingers so that her dream could come true. (we told Julia that getting her ears pierced would be a reward if she showed us she was big enough to have the will power to stop sucking her finger.)

When I heard her share this dream I looked right in the rear view mirror and said, "MMMMHMMMM!!!"  Julia cracked up laughing.  "What mommy?"  I said, "I think God IS telling you to stop sucking your finger missy!"

So....our next dentist appointment is in 2 weeks....lets see if Miss Julia follows her dream!!!
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30 July 2013

"You've Got Your Hands Full"

"You've Got Your Hands Full"

As a mom of 3 kids under 5, my days are very busy, and each moment no matter how well thought out or planned is a surprise.

Just recently I was at a birthday party with all three of my children.  It was a movie party.  Parents did not have to attend, but because Mark has been very clingy lately I decided I would go and sit in the back with the baby just so Mark would be able to relax and know I was there.

As we got back into the car after the movie, which the kids loved, Despicable Me, I walked with the baby in the carriage and the two big kids on either side of me.

A man driving a truck pulled up next to us and was literally glaring at me...I tried to ignore his stare as I placed the kids in the car, the baby, the diaper bag and folded up the carriage.

The minute he got out of the truck I could feel the hate in his eyes and then I heard the sarcastic, sinister tone in his voice, "You've got your hands full." he said, and I could see he was trying to pick a fight with me because he hesitated and waited for me to respond.  I did not look his way but continued to do what every mother does, I went about my business with love and pride for my kids.

But I did not realize that my daughter had heard him or noticed.  Or maybe she saw the sadness in my face?  She goes: "Mommy that was NOT nice! What did that man say to you??? That was not NICE!"  I looked at her for a moment and really thought about what I should say.  I calmly took a breath and said, "Julia, don't worry about it.  Mommy doesn't talk to strangers."  I could tell she felt so bad for me and even though she might not have heard exactly what he said she heard his tone.

That was my teachable moment.  Part of me wanted to say something sarcastic back, maybe that was my pride.  Part of me wanted to address his rudeness.  But another part of me realized that people in this country do not realize the value of family anymore.  We say awful things to each other.  Instead of being encouraging or helping each other we cut each other down.

At that moment I felt sad for him.  I felt sad that he didn't see how much I love my kids.  How he didn't realize how much prayer went into having each one.  That he didn't offer to say something helpful or kind.  His words hurt not because what he said wasn't true...my hands are very full....but because that's not what he was saying...what he was saying was...WHY would you have ALL those kids?

That moment happened 2 weeks ago...and yet here I am still thinking about it and blogging about it because how many times have I said something to someone to hurt them intentionally or unintentionally?  We all do this.  That moment made me realize that something as flip as 5 words can really really alter someone else's day, and even if you go back and apologize for something you did...those words will never ever go away from their memory.

I love the verse Proverbs 15: 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up trouble.

I came across an article in Focus on the Family that said before you say something you should THINK...and each letter represented a word or action and I loved it so much I am going to share it with my kids:

T--Is it TRUE?
H--Is it helpful?
I--Will it inspire?
N--Is it necessary?
K--is it kind?

It will also help me before I speak to my kids...

So, if I ever came across that man again, and he said those words to me and my kids were watching me and what I would say, I would answer: "I do have my hands full.  Full of love, full of joy, and full of laughter, having kids has been SUCH a blessing!"

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29 July 2013

Micah's Stats

Micah Justice...4 months old

My baby boy, is not so little.  He's 98th percentile for weight!  My 20lb 4 month old is already rolling over, holding his head up, talking, laughing, and eating cereal.

I am guessing he will be our early walker.  He's so strong!  My arms get a work out everyday just holding him and playing with him and carrying his baby carrier.

He is the most chill baby.  Even more than Mark was and Mark was very mellow.  Sometimes I forget he's in the room because he is just so content to eat his fingers, play with his toys and roll over.  He has even started to army crawl.

We were struggling with him sleeping at night for the past 2 weeks.  He was up 3-4 times to nurse, so the day before his 4 mos visit I started oatmeal cereal and he went back to sleeping 6 hour stretches and only woke up once at night time.  

He's a growing boy and we are so blessed and in love!  WE love you Mikey!!!!

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28 July 2013

Fully. Rely. On. God.

Home School 2013-2014 is in full effect!  This year's theme around my home is F.R.O.G.: Fully Rely on God.

Our theme verse is:

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.

I also found a link with 40 verses all about relying on God that were so encouraging and uplifting.  These verses would also work well with this Fully Rely on God theme.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you! is another one of my favorites.

This year I chose a theme because I thought it would be fun to have a central focus all year long.  And since we are in the full swing of First Grade with Julia and Pre-Kindergarten for Mark, I knew it would help us all year long.

I bought some science books on frogs, and John and I are even going to take the kids to the pet store to get a pet frog named Fred.  I bought stickers, binders, calendars, word families, and other decorations all with a frog theme.

All my curriculum was mailed on Friday...Abeka, Math Saxon, and Shurley Grammar.  Right now I am in the process of doing lesson plans, creating/planning  field trips, and designing FROG binders to keep all our spelling tests, math sheets, history/science papers, grammar sheets, crafts, bible verses, and review pages.

We officially start school mid-August because I plan to be done as of June 1 (my birthday goal).  We will take 2 weeks off at Christmas time and a week off at Thanksgiving and Easter.

At first I was dreading the beginning of school but once I chose a theme, started praying about it, solicited friends help for support, joined a coop, and began shopping online I really felt ready and more excited as the days drew closer.

I know God will teach all of us something new this year about relying on Him and trusting Him with all of our hearts.  I am praying that we grow closer as a family, wiser as believers, and kinder as we learn more about all the great things God has created for us.

For all you moms out there who think home schooling might be for you I'd love to pray for you or support you in any way.  As you may know I am a teacher by trade.  I taught 3rd and 4th grade, but let me tell you, home schooling is definitely a calling.  God can equip you to do it!  I often feel ill-equipped and I have my Masters Degree!  It requires a lot of patience and creativity and the great thing about it is that you know your child best!

No matter which way you decide public school, private school, or home school being involved as much as possible in the process of your child's education is a huge plus!


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08 July 2013

Summer Sabbatical

This Season of Life

I have been SO busy as a wife and mom that blogging really has been on the back burner.  I keep telling myself that it is OK.  That I am allowed to hold my newborn instead of blogging.  That I am allowed to use my free time reading a book, or watering my garden, or going to the gym.  That I am allowed to relax during the summer.  I apologize for not being nearly as consistent as I used to be but it is what it is right now in my life, and as most of you who read my blog are moms or very busy ladies, I'm sure you understand.

So, I decided that I would take a little sabbatical this summer from blogging.  This way, I don't feel guilty every day for not blogging,and I do...I take blogging very seriously.  It's one of my brain, adult jobs that I truly enjoy!  I get to type on the computer ALL by myself and connect with you.  I love getting feed back from you, and I love sharing my life with my readers, not to mention, I love recording our family memories and milestones.

So for the rest of July...I will NOT be blogging...but I will be resuming the blog on August 1!  I have some great ideas to share from my new juicing/fitness world (those of you who follow me on Instagram know I've been loving juicing lately...and I still go to the gym 4 times a week and am currently working with a trainer whom I so enjoy working out with!)

August 1st I will be back...with a vengeance!  Scouts honor!

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02 July 2013

Bonding with my Babies


Taking the week off for some family bonding time...

Hope you will all understand!

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