Sunny Day in Our Life!

It has been a great day so far.... had to hurry the girls along (Emma slept til Brad called to say he was on his way home from work @ 9am) & was soooo tired! LOL...... she managed to eat her oatmeal & yogurt & a little more yogurt since she was still hungry by the time he got home & be dressed & ready..... Tony had been ready since before 8 am (although he did hang out with me in my bed while I read the end of Matthew) then we hurried out the door & loaded down the Hyundai with all 5 of us & Trigger! Dropped Trigger off @ the groomer's & then Tony next @ daycare..... (his last day being 2!), then went & picked up the mini-van to only drop it off where it has spent more time in the last 6 weeks than it has at home with our family with hopes that this time when they replace the warranty computer it will work & work without being towed 5 days later (maybe work much longer!!!)..... then i went to vzw to work on turning my old line off.... and the girls had already begged their daddy to go to a playground.... so off to the world of McD's we went & got our early am lunch to carry with us to the rec. We had the BEST time playing & swinging, lots of giggles! Even walked the track & played some duck duck goose, which was more of a high end chase game for the girls & they included their dad in..... i was glad to sit & watch! After spending over an hour playing together we went home & the girls enjoyed a little tv time before going down for a nap!!!! I managed to read my book in the dark while Emma slept hugged up to me.... had a hard time sneaking away b/c she was so sweet! W/ her long eye lashes & sweet cheeks and cute lips..... & snorty nose which was a little stuffy..... i snuck out just before her sister woke & she has managed to entertain herself quietly while the others still sleep.... assuming Brad is now in Tony's room napping, getting only a few hours of sleep will do that to you! & now it is time to go get Trigger & Tony! & figure out what in the world I will feed this family of mine! I should be mopping right now.... i did manage to move the couch & sweep the floor.... so we will see! :)

Five Minute Friday: Tree

"> Five Minute Friday: Tree Come on over & join in this blog for today.... lots of writings on Tree... I had planned to not stay up tonight & only join in if I got a chance later on Friday.... but here I am up despite having a very busy planned out for tomorrow (including very hopeful for a good nap before working all night Fri. night)..... guess stayed in night shift mode all week this week.... last week was sleep sleep.... some weeks need sleep more than anything & others need "alone" time.... in God's Word & just relaxing as well! But I have to admit when I saw this week's WORD: TREE, I got very excited... I have been somewhat obsessed & mesmerized by the  "Tree" and how it is seen in God's Word from the beginning to the end.... so here goes, my thoughts on the Tree....

In the Beginning, God created a perfect world & He said "it is good!".... Man & God were in perfect communion. Adam & Eve lived in the garden and were able to eat of all except one tree, "Tree of knowledge of Good & Evil" and they were able to eat of the "Tree of Life".... they had it all, the best food in plenty, God's presence, peace, NO SIN..... But at the tree temptation entered and sin took it's hold & Eve choose to eat of the "Tree of Knowledge" & Adam participated as well.... they choose to disobey God & now our perfect created earth bears the mark of sin & we are all born sinners.... this was the FALL which shows man's total depravity......

The Tree is talked about all through Scripture.... Ceremonial sacrifices and so much more...

One passage that really stands out to me is Psalm 1: that talks about "Believers" being like trees planted along side a river and these trees bear fruit each season without fail! (v.3) Their leaves do not wither and in all they do they prosper! I think about this passage often & how this should look in our lives and how we should be like these trees described by God.... planted beside the river.... fed & nourished by the Living Word of God and here we may bear fruit and our leaves will not wither but in all we do in Christ will prosper!!! I picture a man (Christ--the bridegroom) & a woman (myself-the bride) sitting by my tree along the river holding on to each other, hand in hand, being guided through life..... I have pictured this man (Jesus, our savior) standing by that tree hands out, waiting for me to return when I think I can do things on my own or when I choose sins and selfish idols over Him.... I'm still a believer but one that fights battles against the flesh... but over & over again I learn that this battle can only be won in His Arms by that river... only then can others see the Gospel lived out in me as my tree (my life) bears fruit without fail! Because I am His, when I look or pull away, He waits... He loves me (like Hosea once loved).... He calls & draws me near..... He reminds me of His grace & love and at the tree I learn how to be the tree who bears fruit!!!

Okay, my time is up.... but I really do think about that often.... I can even sense when I need to draw near, sense Him standing at that tree calling me home... He promises to never leave nor forsake Me! Praise God because it is I who tends to pull away.... to go at life on my own... not basking in His promises.... but when I draw from that river at my tree I am able to glean from His promises in His Holy Word and grow and walk this life arm & arm with my Savior... He is our 1st Love!

The TREE amazes me... and the River--that feeds us gives me HOPE! The Savior Jesus Christ love is greater for me than any other can ever give! What a picture of love the bride & the bridegroom.... only when we know Him truly know Him can we come to His throne of Grace & be cleansed & look into our bridegroom's eyes who accepts us for the who we are! He fully knows us.... there are no secrets....

On to the NT, I am still amazed that when Jesus was born, He was placed in a manger (trough, most likely made of wood) He left his Heavenly Throne to be born in a manger.....

Then His earthly "adopted" father was a carpenter.... He was chosen for this task and I am amazed that Jesus grew up with Joseph who would've shared with Him his trade of life.....

Then He DIED on a CROSS (a tree)... there His blood was shed for mine.... He paid the price & bought us that we would accept His sacrifice & BELIEVE..... that He is the SON of GOD!

Thank You God, for your creation! For the TREE! And may I be a "Tree" that bears fruit for You and prospers Your Gospel for YOUR Glory!!!
Check out this song (video) that I have not been able to get enough of this song tonight.... so beautiful & greatly enjoyed watching the "My Hope America' Video in church the other week... you should check it out (on Billy Graham Evangelistic website) Here's the song from that movie: http://youtu.be/hrgl9z3grKU
http://youtu.be/hrgl9z3grKU

Five Minute Friday: Truth

Five Minute Friday... Come on over & join in! Go.... Truth: My first thoughts on Truth is the task I have in sharing the TRUTH with my kids.... The Truth of a Savior who created this world we live in, the fall of man--when sin entered this world--& God's plan to rescue us by sending His own son to be our Savior. Our world is full of sin, lies & deception..... Satan has power over this world but he can not be everywhere at one time.... He takes claims and feeds us false truths.... and all too often we believe them.... we choose sin instead of life.... even as believers we all too often turn away and because of the desires of the flesh.... it pulls us down.... yes, Satan may have power here but how often does our own "SINFUL nature" step in.... we se the sinful nature even in our children, when they hit, push, lie & are disobedient, in the temper tantrums.... and yes in our ownselves.... we choose to believe the false truths, the deception all too often.... and again... that's why it's so important that we be saturated in God's WORD, where the truth is found and then begin to live it out! The TRUTH Will set you free and our task as mothers is to teach these truths to these small growing children that they too one day may be set free by the TRUTH! That one day the GOSPEL will become real in their lives and they will cling to the Truth that lies within it! God is good! Thank you God for the task you have given me in teaching these precious three children your TRUTH!!! Thank you for your forgiveness where I fail & for your conviction to continue on, clinging more & more to your TRUTH--YOUR Word!!! :)

Trials in Grace

So, it never seems to fail.... when God has me focus on Grace or teaches me something new about Grace or reminds me again how I need to show Grace... It seems like WHAM.... something happens very quickly after these thoughts on grace & but I seem to of already forgotten.... and sometimes i'll even remember some of these thoughts & think, "I need to show grace but also think... I dont want to!" So, that's what happed this past Sat. after working Friday night, i was tired needless to say with a few hours of sleep after work & my husband was stressed out & grouchy.... that wasnt so bad... we had a bday party & it was lots of fun & the day came & went but before bed... tempers began to flare a little.... not bad really but i think in both of our exhaustion..... Grace went right out the window..... GRACE... What is that????? I definately fought the idea of grace.... this week though i've been reminded of Jesus & the Sermon on the Mount when He talked about trying to take the speck out of someone's eye when you have a log in yours.... well that was the case.... It's amazing how one moment you can think things are going pretty good & the next a "fight or flight" in you comes out... & for me it was thoughts of "flight".... not a great place to be really.... Well, even in my husband's sleep as I crawled into bed (determined I would not get in the bed if he hadnt put the sheets on.... but he had & my heart warmed just a little because I really wanted to sleep in my bed!)... He apologized (and this time he wasnt talking in his sleep!) & I did too.... & a NEW day began again... this time with fresh apologies & as the day went along we talked about our thoughts & struggles.... One thing I learned... our crazy & exhausting schedules need a change so that we are laying in the Hands of God & trusting His plan for our family! I struggle with my husbands schedule as he seems to have his hands in everything... with 3-4 jobs including the responsibilities of church.... And I'm thankful as the week has gone by that he has had his cell phone off more than the last few weeks during our evening time as a family! And God is definately working in my heart as well as I learn more to ask, seek & knock.... not for material things but that my life would be conformed to Christ's character... that I would long for Heaven & be a godly wife & mother my family needs me to be! he is showing me my mission field right now is here within my home and though it may be overwhelming at times it's important & He will help me through it!!! Trying to learn to ponder HIS Grace & remember when I'm ready to lash out... look for faults that I'll first see the my own faults & remember the CROSS & how God forgave me & showed me His GRACE!!!! That maybe one day I'll become a woman known for Grace.... One who loves God, His Redemption, my adoption in Him, who ponders on how He CAME from His Heavenly home to save me (US!) & His Love is EVERLASTING! :) God's Redeeming Adoption Comes Everlasting :)

FIVE Minute Friday: GRACE

Here goes: GRACE Grace is one of my favorite words!!! & this year it was labeled early on to be the theme for my year.... my acyromn for the word: GRACE: God's Redeeming Adoption Comes Everlasting I wish I could say it's been a Grace-filled year... it has as far as the Grace God gives me.... but becoming a Grace giver myself has not come naturally and often is forgotten when things don't go my way.... Often when I hear the word Grace, I first twinge thinking... oh, I should of shown Grace, more grace... okay, I need to work on giving grace... why do I too often forget about Grace... the greatest gift ever given to me.... First when Christ came... He left His Heavenly Throne to come and then He Died on a cross.... sinless.... a painful death for me.... Grace... He sacrificed all for me! Praise God for all He has done for me.... May I learn to lavish in His grace and lavish grace on others! May we as a church become known for the Grace that He first bestowed on us! God is good! He loves us so much and has forgiven us of much and He is soooo compassionate with HIS Grace! Do you know His Grace? Have you forgiven.... have you moved forward in Grace..... Grace is given even when our first thought is to hold on to the NO, they dont deserve it.... Yes, we have to let go... not hold on... b/c we too do not deserve the GRACE He freely gives! 5 Minutes is UP!!! ">

The heart of an "infertile" mother

So, last night my husband & I had a conversation that we have not had in a long time.... as he slept (& snored beside me) & I quietly cried.... I remembered why a good while back I asked him not to talk to me about these things.... & that he needed to talk to his "guy" friends about this, NOT ME... b/c at the time i was not strong enough to hear it and apparently I still am not... Okay, so what in the world about this conversation.... We talked about our kids and desires for our future with them & that led to him talking about his desire to have a son like him "a little bumge".... part of it is his desire from having 2 brothers and what it was like growing up together.... they were rowdy but love each other deeply.... we talked more about this and how we love our kids but how he still has that longing.... it all stemed from hoping our 2.5 year old can have a brother one day.... our girls love each other so much & it is a blessing to watch their bond grow, especially since i know what it's like to have a sister! So what in the world right,we have 3 kids! Despite the blessing of being a mother & father, there is still the struggle of being "infertile"/"barren".... for us it's not necessarily the desire to be able to have kids (b/c God has blessed us through adoption!) but sometimes' its the feelings in dealing w/ the "inability"... for me it's an ongoing struggle, sometimes it's quiet & other times it's raging... God has taught me a lot through His word.... even last night He quieted my soul & mind before I fell asleep with "Rejoice in the Lord always, I was say it again: REJOICE! (Phil. 4:4).... Lately... it has overall been somewhat silent but seems to be a stronger struggle every cycle (which can be totally random, i know tmi, good/bad that it's not always every 28days!).... when late though sometimes, i begin to hope to only be disappointed... i know crazy to think I have hope when we have 3 toddlers now, right!? There are times it is the desire to experience what other women experience.... sometimes it's just seeing blessing after blessing (& i'm a nicu nurse, so i'm surrounded by pregnant women or women who just delivered).... it's hard to sometimes not think.... wow, look, they are so blessed (guess I'm not).... like recently i have friends/family that getting pregnant just seems so easy.... they have a boy & a girl like it's nothing & it's easy to think, wow, they must have it right, have it all figure out---how to live this life & receive blessings..... BUT then I'm reminded, why do you complain? or not feel blessed.... look at your home.... the noise, the music, the laughter.... God has given us more than we could've ever asked for! I have lots of friends who would love to have a "baby" & i have lots of friends who are still waiting for a "spouse"..... So I'm reminded not to look at others & wonder "Why?" BUT instead to Look to God who gives us HOPE.... who gives us BLESSINGS.... & Say..."Thank you".... He desires a heart of gratitude! I think in all reality any of us women who have struggled with infertility (& there are a lot of us!) know this is a road that comes with loss & sometimes it comes often when yet again another cycle comes a long (not to mention the hormones too)... BUT as a BELIEVER.... we need to TRUST this path He has allowed us to walk.... & Cling to His Word, Faithfulness & love! & yes, i'll survive this conversation with my husband.... as he said, "You are my best friend, i can share with you how i feel." & Yes, my husband is my best friend.... & he saw immediately how I shut down & he apologized and gave me his full attention & love! My womb may be barren, but my heart is full... with love from an amazing husband & 3 beautiful curly haired kids! :) THANK YOU GOD for letting me experience motherhood!

Five Minute Friday: Write

So, trying out another 5 minute friday before i head in to work. this week's is about "WRITE".... you should check it out & consider joining in! :) WRITE: I can remember as a young child having an imagination of stories that eventually I began to write on paper. I can remember elementary school papers and a beginning to love writing. My favorite paper in grade school was our English writing paper we had to write during a timed period for the state, I wrote mine on Ruth and her loyalty to Esther & how she came to know God. Then college came & my love for writing had well faded into English papers, research papers, and the all consuming Senior year of nursing with research, etc. Following college, i went straight to seminary where writing changed yet again to a new format, the Turbain (very loved system....) and spent six years writing school papers & reading lots & lots! Finished my 6th year in seminary taking 1/2 of my degree requirements in that year.... needless to say i was ready for a break from reading & writing..... but it wasnt until recently that I fell in love with reading &writing again! And since my imagination has picked up.... who knows maybe one day I'll write that novel or 2 or more from my imagination & it may go somewhere or not... but I hope as I learn to write I can write to the GLORY of God with hopes to direct others to God & to His Word! So thankful for the power in the written WORD, for the strength we alone receive from God's Word! :)