My "5 Months After the New Year" Resolution

I believe 100% that you do not have to wait until the start of a new year to make a resolution.  Or Monday.  Or your next birthday.  Or Lent.


So, starting tomorrow I am on a sugar fast.


I will allow myself to have only the sugar I put in my coffee & oatmeal.  That's it.  No cookies.  No discounted Easter candy that only comes out once a year.  No delicious, homemade baked yumminess.  Nope.


As a sign of my commitment I gave Mike my tin of Cadbury Mini Eggs and Hershey chocolate eggs and told him to hide them.  That way I won't be tempted to dig in on "one of those days".  I'm the type of person that has to go cold turkey.  I can't have one foot in and one foot out.


So, here goes nothin'.  Well, something, actually.  And it better be some loss of poundage and newfound energy 'cause this baby belly has GOT to go!


Feel free to join in if you want to.  I could use all the support I can get.  It helps keep me accountable!

Leaving My Burden at the Foot of the Cross

There are people in this life who will criticize your decisions.  They will tell you you could be doing something different.  That you should make better choices.  They will imply that your decision was the wrong one and to change it.


No matter what other people say just remember that the only one you need to please is God.  If you are making the wisest decisions possible and your spouse is 100% supportive than you have nothing to worry about.


The decisions may not be the easiest or most comfortable (physically, emotionally or spiritually), but sometimes they are necessary because that's what it takes to raise your children, tend to your family and serve others.


Some will not understand that and may ridicule you for it.  Especially if it cramps their style.  It is coming from a very selfish place in their heart.  


Your obligation is to love your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.  Second is to love your neighbor as yourself.  That does not mean doing what they think is right.


With that said I will leave my burden at the foot of the cross, commit my actions to God through prayer, pray for a good attitude and continue doing what He has called me to do.

My "gloomy" Monday

It's Monday morning, about 10:45.  Claire fell asleep on my chest and is making smacking noises with her lips and gently snoring.


I can hear the dryer running.  A button is clinking the inside of the dryer.


Afton and Caleb are playing Legos in the living room.  I can hear the Legos being moved around.


It's grey and damp outside and some would look at this as a gloomy Monday.  However, inside my house the sun is shining.  We are warm, kids are playing peacefully and I have a beautiful baby girl asleep on my chest.


As I listen to her sleepy baby noises I couldn't be more thankful for this "gloomy Monday.

Joy In Motherhood

I have found a new joy in becoming a mother for the 3^rd time.

One could argue that it's age & wisdom. Others could say it's because I know what I'm doing now. I can tell you one thing...it's definitely not because it's easier. Going from two to three children has been the biggest adjustment of my life. Things take longer. More people need me. Work load is increased and I still have all the “normal” things that need to be done.

So, while age, wisdom and knowledge may be true I think it's something deeper. Something only God can give to a mom. It's a joy that only comes from Him. Knowing this is what I was created to do is so comforting. I am exactly where God wants me to be right now.

Even through many sleepless nights and crazy days I still look at Claire when she is nursing and am filled with a love that I can't describe.

I look at my other two children, Afton and Caleb, and feel so blessed that God would see fit to make me their mama.

So when things get tough and I get tired...when I feel so exhausted and discouraged...I try to remember that “this too shall pass” and I should enjoy every kid filled moment while I can. They will soon be grown and gone and I will wish for these moments again.

My house may be covered with kid items, but I will treasure it while I have it because soon enough my house will be empty and spotless. It is then I will be wishing for another load of laundry to do, more homemade pictures on the wall and endless amounts of toys to step over.

Psalm 127:3 (NASB) "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."

True Confessions - Mommy Style

(I'm trying to come back slowly...I really am...I make no promises though!)


Only three confessions today:

• The other night Claire spit up all over one of my shoulders. I was so tired I just wiped my shirt off with a towel and went to bed.  It dried.

• Last night Mike taught the kids how to play Halo on Xbox. They are having a blast shooting things.  (Even though I normally don't condone shooting!)

• Last night I danced with Claire to The Doors “Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)” - she loved it!  (I don't condone drinking with children :)  The song has a nifty sound though...very dance-able!)

That's all I can come up with right now.

Announcement (Better Late Than Never)

(I'm 4 weeks and 2 days late in making this announcement...sorry!)

We would like to welcome Claire Elizabeth to our family!!!

She was born on November 8th at 6:44am 

and weighed 8lbs, 6oz (my lightest baby!) and was 20 1/2 inches long.

 

She is absolutely beautiful and has completely stolen our hearts.

 

The transition from two to three children has been tougher than I imagined, however I wouldn't trade one sleepless moment of it.

  

The kids love her to pieces and I have to say mom and dad think she's pretty cool too!

I'll post about her birth at another point, but this is what I could squeak out for now.  The other post has been a week in the making and each time I think I can finish it Claire starts fussing, kids need feeding or laundry needs to be folded.  

Ah yes...the life of a mother...and I'm not taking any moment for granted either!