The puking has pretty much subsided after 7 full days. There are still other bodily fluids but no puking yet today! One thing I haven't had time for is exercising... then I realized that without knowing it I started running again... running to whomever was yelling for me, knowing that I had seconds before they puked! Who knew?!
So, this morning, after sending one to school and sitting the others in front of another video, hoping for them to sit still and heal, I decided to conquer the driveway. There were only a few inches of snow but I knew it was wet snow which equals VERY HEAVY! I stepped outside and immediately began feeling overwhelmed. However, I proceeded. I needed the exercise and an outlet, I was starting to feel some anger and frustration from the last week.
I decided to start at my least favorite part and work back, focusing on good movement so not to injure any muscles and yet be most productive. Little by little I began seeing the driveway. When I got down to the part by the street, I got overwhelmed again... it was extra heavy from the plow and then I had the thought, this is just like life. As times get tough we do not have the option to just give up but rather to persevere. To do one day at a time and sometimes simply take moment by moment just like I was doing shovel load by shovel load. And before I knew it, I had a clean driveway, I was sweating, I felt the anger and frustration subside and I knew my husband would be able to come home after a very long days work and not have to worry about shoveling.
May you focus today on perseverance... day by day, moment by moment.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sickness raises the bar for a Mama
So, you know this flu bug that has been going around that everyone hopes and prays somehow misses them? Well, it has officially come into our home and has not left yet. I have never in my life seen so much puking... hours upon hours of puking and dry heaving... a little water and then more puking. My youngest was hit right at bedtime and puked off and on until 5:30 in the morning. Another one went pretty consistently for a whole day. It just hurts so much to see your children in pain and not be able to do much about it.
We have been able to laugh at it, occasionally, as puke is going down the front and back of me and I am just standing there not knowing what to do next. Or when I go through so many clothes that I start evaluating exactly how much puke is on me and whether that is enough to change clothes or whether I just press on until the next time.
Although I have some good stories, and the sickness has not passed yet, I would be lying to say that it's been easy... I am tired, actually exhausted. The laundry has picked up. The demands which I felt were already pressing have only increased. The love that I give out daily has had to be given more frequently and the need for physical touch has sky rocketed but most importantly, I just hate feeling helpless. Always questioning what I could do differently to help my children or how I could swing changing places with them so that they don't have to go through this pain... and yet at the end of the day, coming up short.
I am thankful that I can/have to draw on God's strength during this time. I have come to the end of myself and had to hand the reigns over. I wish I could do that easier in my day to day life and not wait for these tough circumstances. I guess I continue to learn and continue to journey.
May God's truth ring in our hearts and in our minds that with Christ ALL things are possible!
We have been able to laugh at it, occasionally, as puke is going down the front and back of me and I am just standing there not knowing what to do next. Or when I go through so many clothes that I start evaluating exactly how much puke is on me and whether that is enough to change clothes or whether I just press on until the next time.
Although I have some good stories, and the sickness has not passed yet, I would be lying to say that it's been easy... I am tired, actually exhausted. The laundry has picked up. The demands which I felt were already pressing have only increased. The love that I give out daily has had to be given more frequently and the need for physical touch has sky rocketed but most importantly, I just hate feeling helpless. Always questioning what I could do differently to help my children or how I could swing changing places with them so that they don't have to go through this pain... and yet at the end of the day, coming up short.
I am thankful that I can/have to draw on God's strength during this time. I have come to the end of myself and had to hand the reigns over. I wish I could do that easier in my day to day life and not wait for these tough circumstances. I guess I continue to learn and continue to journey.
May God's truth ring in our hearts and in our minds that with Christ ALL things are possible!
Monday, February 18, 2013
I Know You by Name
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when i was made in the secret place.
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one one of them came to be."
-Psalm 139
We are coming to a close to our 'birthday season'. From New Year's Eve until Feb. 19, we celebrate SIX birthdays. Yes, that is correct! It can be a lot to make every one special but WELL worth it.
Tomorrow we celebrate my oldest son's 9th birthday. Nine years ago today, I was in a much different place filled with great excitement and yet some fear. My husband and I often take the road less traveled... not to be different but simply to be... us. We were getting ready to have our first homebirth. My first birth was by far the toughest birth. Joshua was posterior and very large. I was in pretty serious labor for over a day and my contractions in active labor never paused because my body was trying to flip him. I pushed for three hours and out came this plump, perfect boy weighing in at 9 pounds 15 ounces. The excitement was just beginning as my body tried to recover from all that I went through but we made it! Not only did we make it but we proceeded to have 4 more homebirths which were much less eventful!
Every child is such a gift... So uniquely made... So filled with love, joy, trust and excitement. I am truly blessed.
As we continue through Lent and venture into our 'normal' lives, may we know, feel and believe the truth that God loves us more than we could ever dream or imagine and He is honored to call us His children...
He knows each one of us by name and He promises never to leave us or forsake us...
Friday, February 15, 2013
Pressing the Pause Button
Have you ever wished you could just press the pause button on life? I think of this often. As of yet, I have not figured out a way to do it BUT I have thought of some of the things I would do if I COULD...
I would sleep for at least an entire day and not leave my bed for at least two!
I would deep clean my entire house without any interruptions... no worries about meal prep or cleanup, changing diapers, nursing, wiping little behinds, getting everyone ready, schooling, meal planning etc. I would simply clean until I could clean no longer because EVERYTHING would be put where it belongs, dust would actually be gone, spider webs would come down, windowsills wiped, laundry would be cleaned and put away, bathtubs would be scoured and the toilet, momentarily, would not have any urine on OR around it.
Lastly, I would soak in the tub, a hot tub with candles lit and soft music playing and then head off back to bed with a journal, a Bible and a good movie and not get out for another day!
After that, I would gladly press the play button again and greet my children, my husband, my friends and my community with a refreshed Spirit and a serving heart!
Since I do not expect to figure out how to make this happen... I choose to rest in the moment and embrace all the peace which God offers me in the midst of what most would consider chaos... but to me is life.
May the peace of God which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I would sleep for at least an entire day and not leave my bed for at least two!
I would deep clean my entire house without any interruptions... no worries about meal prep or cleanup, changing diapers, nursing, wiping little behinds, getting everyone ready, schooling, meal planning etc. I would simply clean until I could clean no longer because EVERYTHING would be put where it belongs, dust would actually be gone, spider webs would come down, windowsills wiped, laundry would be cleaned and put away, bathtubs would be scoured and the toilet, momentarily, would not have any urine on OR around it.
Lastly, I would soak in the tub, a hot tub with candles lit and soft music playing and then head off back to bed with a journal, a Bible and a good movie and not get out for another day!
After that, I would gladly press the play button again and greet my children, my husband, my friends and my community with a refreshed Spirit and a serving heart!
Since I do not expect to figure out how to make this happen... I choose to rest in the moment and embrace all the peace which God offers me in the midst of what most would consider chaos... but to me is life.
May the peace of God which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Living My Dreams at 35...
Today is my 35th birthday! It is kind of crazy to think that I am 35. I am not someone who gets all bent out of shape about age... actually I really enjoy getting older... maybe even wiser?!
When I was little, ever since I can remember, all I wanted to do was be a wife, a mother and a teacher. Now at 35, I am doing all three! I am a wife to an amazingly godly man who lives his life constantly asking 'what would jesus do?'. I have five beautiful children aging from almost 9 to 1. And I have the privilege of homeschooling my children. I can honestly say that I lack for nothing.
Looking into this new year (I just love new beginnings), I am praying that God would truly lead us and guide us. I want to live a life that speaks Jesus without using any words! I want my children and myself to learn more about the needs around us, to love in a way that has no boundaries and to serve others with the reality that when we serve someone, we are really serving Jesus. We have much to learn but more importantly, we have much to give thanks for... this is my list of 35 things that I am thankful for... (of course it is only the beginning...)
1. Knowing Jesus as my personal Lord, Saviour and best friend.
2. Meeting the man of my dreams.
3. My 5 children
4. My immediate and extended family
5. My church family
6. My neighbors
7. Hill- my sister in so many ways
8. A beautiful house that brings rest to my soul
9. My bed which provides much needed rest
10. A bathroom with a shower and hot water- most of the time:)
11. The feeling when I hold a soft bunny up against me.
12. Surprises
13. Music
14. A one year old and all that goes with her!
15. Beautiful food
16. Fresh juice which brings life
17. Warm boots, coats and mittens
18. Sledding
19. God's mercies which are new every morning
20. freshly painted toes
21. a clean kitchen
22. tweezers (I am Italian!)
23. thrift stores
24. the smell of fresh pesto
25. solitude
26. the night time (and day time) 'I love you' s from my children
27. reading
28. the color deep red
29. fleece socks
30. teaching my children to read
31. homemade flowers from my sons
32. good movies
33. dark chocolate
34. sweating after a good workout
35. the ability to give and receive love
And this is my prayer for you: that you may know the abundant and unconditional love of our Lord Jesus both now and forevermore. Blessings
When I was little, ever since I can remember, all I wanted to do was be a wife, a mother and a teacher. Now at 35, I am doing all three! I am a wife to an amazingly godly man who lives his life constantly asking 'what would jesus do?'. I have five beautiful children aging from almost 9 to 1. And I have the privilege of homeschooling my children. I can honestly say that I lack for nothing.
1. Knowing Jesus as my personal Lord, Saviour and best friend.
2. Meeting the man of my dreams.
3. My 5 children
4. My immediate and extended family
5. My church family
6. My neighbors
7. Hill- my sister in so many ways
8. A beautiful house that brings rest to my soul
9. My bed which provides much needed rest
10. A bathroom with a shower and hot water- most of the time:)
11. The feeling when I hold a soft bunny up against me.
12. Surprises
13. Music
14. A one year old and all that goes with her!
15. Beautiful food
16. Fresh juice which brings life
17. Warm boots, coats and mittens
18. Sledding
19. God's mercies which are new every morning
20. freshly painted toes
21. a clean kitchen
22. tweezers (I am Italian!)
23. thrift stores
24. the smell of fresh pesto
25. solitude
26. the night time (and day time) 'I love you' s from my children
27. reading
28. the color deep red
29. fleece socks
30. teaching my children to read
31. homemade flowers from my sons
32. good movies
33. dark chocolate
34. sweating after a good workout
35. the ability to give and receive love
And this is my prayer for you: that you may know the abundant and unconditional love of our Lord Jesus both now and forevermore. Blessings
Monday, February 11, 2013
When the going gets tough...
Lord we know that you are here...
"The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want"
Sometimes when the going gets tough, we just get tired...
Physically
Spiritually
Mentally.
We need Jesus more than ever...
More than we ever dreamed possible.
Sometimes when the going gets tough we need others more...
People come together for good and bad.
Relationships can be broken and later healed... sometimes much later.
When the going gets tough, our love is challenged...
Challenged to love unconditionally.
When the going gets tough, we sometimes question what is love...
What does true love look like?
How can we love in the midst of challenging circumstances?
When the going gets tough we are drawn more than ever to prayer...
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done."
Saturday, February 2, 2013
1 Amendment...
So, I realized that I forgot to mention about a special date night that my husband and I have almost weekly... Pizza night (definitely not plant based!)! Having 5 kiddos we don't get to go out too often so we decided to embrace 'at home' date nights and we REALLY enjoy them. Last night we put the kids to bed after having a super fun time at the roller rink and then sat down in our WARM home and ate the pizza and salad... opened up some yummy wine and WOW... the end of a very long week!
Otherwise, I have really been kickin' the no animal products and feeling better already. For exercise yesterday I shoveled the driveway a couple of time and went roller skating for a couple of hours:) Little by little I hope to reintroduce these healthy habits of plant based eating, daily exercise and daily scripture reading...
***Thankful list
1. solitude time at Panera with a yummy lunch, a Bible and a journal
2. a warm house
3. my husband home from a long week
4. SATURDAY
5. family night out
6. late night date night
***Quotes
Nick "Mom, I think God's been holding all the snow in his hands and just decided to let it all drop."
Otherwise, I have really been kickin' the no animal products and feeling better already. For exercise yesterday I shoveled the driveway a couple of time and went roller skating for a couple of hours:) Little by little I hope to reintroduce these healthy habits of plant based eating, daily exercise and daily scripture reading...
***Thankful list
1. solitude time at Panera with a yummy lunch, a Bible and a journal
2. a warm house
3. my husband home from a long week
4. SATURDAY
5. family night out
6. late night date night
***Quotes
Nick "Mom, I think God's been holding all the snow in his hands and just decided to let it all drop."
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