Being a mom…

I came across this today and just had to share: http://www.theflourishblog.com/2013/05/power-in-process.html

As I deal with an emotional 5 yr old, a tantrum filled 3 yr old and a needy 9 month old today as well as struggling with some other things....  I realize that God is working in my heart through all of these circumstances.  Yes, it would be "easy" to fast forward through the hard times but look at what we would miss.  I'd miss my 5 yr old growing and maturing in his own way, my 3 yr old learning to be a big brother to his baby sister and my baby girl getting excited about all the new things in her life.  So today, I'm am trying to be thankful for this crazy day and look forward to those special moments that make it all worth being a mom.

I often remember Proverbs 3:5-6 because that was our wedding text, but now looking at all of Proverbs 3, the entire chapter is speaking to my heart.

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
² for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

³ Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Training your children…

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I ordered some children’s book recently that I thought I would share.  What I liked about them is that they are books that teach your child about God and his righteousness, sin, holiness, etc.  They are story books written to point your child to Christ.  Also, they are written by a great Christian author, R.C. Sproul.  I also bought some story/picture coloring books.  They are geared towards younger aged children, so I’m hoping my kids enjoy them.  I don’t have too many more details on them since I’m still waiting for them to arrive in the mail.  So here is the list:

1) The Donkey who carried a King by Sproul

2) The Priest with Dirty Clothes by Sproul

3) The Prince’s Poison Cup by Sproul

4) God is Everywhere by MacKenzie (coloring book)

5) God knows Everything by MacKenzie (coloring book)

We’ve also been using “the Jesus Storybook Bible” at devotions with the boys.  It puts the Bible into stories for younger children to understand a bit better.  The boys love it and always have questions after we are done reading.  The also like looking at the pictures.  Every story points to Christ.  It has been neat to see my boys hearts and minds grow as they learn about Christ and who he is and what he has done for us. 

Yummy Salad

Well, it seems my blog is becoming a recipe blog...not what I intended, just what I seem to be posting lately :) I just had to post this salad recipe before I forget to write it down somewhere. Thanks to my SIL for sending the recipe. It's quite delish!

I don't even have a title for what it's actually called, so I'm just going to call it...Yummy Salad.

Ingredients:

1 bag spring mix greens

Candied Walnuts (or I used candied pecans because I prefer pecans and I couldn't find any other candied nuts at Walmart)

Thinly Sliced Apples (my favorite are Gala Apples)

Craisins (Dried Cranberries)

Honey Mustard Dressing (I used Newman's Own Salad Dressing...Light Honey Mustard).

Mix the above ingredients, drizzle on however much dressing you like and enjoy. Such a yummy combination for a salad. I've become addicted to it. Especially since Aldi is selling a nice mix of small lettuce heads in their veggie section only for $1.99. It stays fresh longer than the bagged stuff.

Other than that, it's been an interesting week here. The boys have had colds and I finally took Seth to the doctor on Thursday morning. Turned out he has a double ear infection and has now been diagnosed with bronchitis/asthma. So he's been on breathing treatments every 4 hours and the morning and evening treatments will continue indefinitely. So that was a bit more than I expected when I took him in. The treatments make him all hyper afterward. Joe & I just laugh because he's running all over the place with this big grin on his face. It's quite funny to watch. Thankfully when I have to get him up for his nightly treatments he doesn't wake up much and actually falls back asleep while I'm giving him the treatment. I'm exhausted to say the least. Being pregnant, getting up 3 times a night and oh, Isaac's cough is back and he ended up throwing up last night in bed...so that was a nice thing to add to the evening. Basically it's been a long week with not a lot of sleep for this prego momma. Thankfully I just have the sniffles since Joe has gotten the cold too. Hopefully mine doesn't get worse.

Well, I'm off to make sense of the pile of medical bills since we just got another one that wasn't on the insurance statement. I get to call the insurance company again on Monday and find out what's going on because this bill has put us way over what we should have to owe. Oh the joys.

I shouldn't complain so much. I am so thankful to have my health back. I know it could be so much worse. We are definitely blessed beyond measure. Just some days it's hard for my human mind to see that. Thankfully God shows me in His way that He is a gracious, good, loving God that is in control of all things. May I strive to keep my eyes on things eternal where in the end there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more health issues, etc. Where we will be one day worshiping and praising our Lord.

May God be glorified in our health and in our sickness...

Came across this quote today on Ann Voskamp's blog:

We give thanks to God not because of how we feel – but because of Who He is.

Exactly what I needed to hear today as I lay here in bed with a migraine headache from the spinal tap I had for surgery on Friday. I've been dealing with this headache since Friday evening and if I lay on my back and drink caffeine (as doctor recommended) it eventually lessens and does go away for a bit. I keep thinking how so many others have it so much worse than me and I am so thankful for all those who are helping me care for my family through all of this. I hate not being able to take care of them. But if I can't at least others are there to help. It's been a long month between Seth and I being sick with rotavirus and then 2 weeks later I get a kidney stone and have to have surgery. I keep thinking....even in my sickness God is being glorified in some way, some how. I am trying to learn patience in all of this...it is so hard for me. And then I read the above quote today and see..God is glorified because of WHO HE IS! That is how he is glorified. It has nothing to do with me or how I am feeling. That is so true and I am so thankful.

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving...