Well, here I am 4 days before we make settlement on our dream home. I have MUCH to still do, but life must go on , even when you are moving in just 4 days.
I feel like being a home schooler can add so much more stress to big life events like this. Sometimes it seems like it would be SO much easier to just drop my kids off at school in the morning so I can freely get everything done and then pick them up at 3! But as the veteran home schoolers would say "This is a perfect teachable moment". Im glad my kids get to experience this moment with us. Its a big moment in our lives and we as a family get to experience it together because we are all together all the time. I love that. So even though its so hard for me to skip consecutive days of school Im reminding myself of what life is really all about and allowing Gods blessings to overflow. Ill school when I can, and if I cant then its ok.
I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on Gods MANY blessings in our life...My sister sent me a message reminding me of a blog that I posted during Easter when we were living in our tiny apartment just two years ago. At that time I was learning what "contentment" really meant. I remember just meditating on
the promises of Our Lord and that He truly only had good for our life. I remember praying that we would one day own our own house. My dreams were of a 4 bedroom house, a backyard, a porch. In my mind I thought that maybe in 5 years we would be able to get there. I thought that maybe we could buy a smaller house and just be thankful that we actually "owned" something and go forth from there. There was a time when we were praying about buying a house out in Medford that had a lot of land. It was a tiny house, but a family member owned it and there was a possibility that we could even rent to own.
Our prayer was not answered and we were sad at the time. But OH what the Lord had in store for us was SO much better than that house! In just a year we were blessed with the house that we are in now. I call this our "stepping stone". It is sweet and beautiful and was just right for our family. We were so thankful to move from the apartment and into the little green house with the white picket fence. Pete never even saw the house, he just trusted me and moved us in! He worked hard to make it our home. We thought we would stay here for a long time. But God had even bigger plans for us! Im not quite sure how it happened exactly but we decided to start looking to buy a home. We had just renewed our lease here and were only 2 months in when we decided to give it a try. My sweet Mom always taught me to always try and that it never hurts to try. She also always taught me that where there is a will, there is a way.
So we tried.......and to our surprise we were approved and will be making settlement on our 4 bedroom home in Cherry Hill on Friday....God literally took both Peter and I hand in hand and walked us safely through this whole process. There were bumps, but nothing HE could not crush. There were tears and worry (On my part of course) but He reminded me again and again that He was already there. He reminded me clearly that He parted the Red Sea for Moses and that He loved ME and Pete and my family just as much as He loved Moses.He reminded me that He is the same God then as He is now! He reminded me that he could part our Red Sea too, and that He wanted to, and He did......He knew our hearts desire and gave us exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we could have even imagined! We thought maybe 5 years. He said "just two". We thought maybe 2 bedrooms. He said "How about 4". I thought maybe we could live in a nice town, He said "How about Cherry Hill, thats where you have always dreamed to live".
Here is the blog from just two years ago. It amazes me that God already knew about now back then when I was praying and writing this blog. I picture God saying at that moment excitingly "Oh my child, you just wait"! We are awestruck at His goodness!
Home is Where Your heart
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
From Mom-Mom's house to mine, to yours. Tips from the greatest cleaner Ive ever known.
She was a wonderful woman. Always smiling and laughing. I think I saw her get angry maybe 2 times in my whole childhood and my sister and I were pretty pushy kids at times. She just loved us regardless and dealt with things so cheerfully. I knew if she gave me the look she was serious. Her house of course was always in pristine condition, white glove acceptable, but still full of love. She would let you have your fun, but taught us to take good care of things, appreciate what we had and always clean up after ourselves. Right down to having to wipe the walls down in the shower and always make sure the curtain was closed after we were finished (ugh I hated that! ) Her stove was ALWAYS clean, rugs always perfect, curtains crisp, counters and tables fingerprint and stain free and she was still happy. She had 4 children close together, took care of her mother in law and her mother in her own home until they died and had a husband that worked around the clock.
I often hear this misconception that a mother who has a clean house must have unhappy children and husband. That our reasons for not getting the household chores done are because we are spending that extra time with our children. That they will miss out on a great childhood if we spend it cleaning. My grandmother proved this theory untrue every day of her life. She did her job as a wife, she fit in her everyday cleaning and she was a wonderful mother all the same. All mothers are different, whether you decide to skip your cleaning and spend that time with your children and do it later, or do it now and spend time with your kids later. Each person lives their life fitting to what works best for them. I dont think one is better than the other.
Growing up a long side of my grandmother I learned many great cleaning tips and I thought I would like to share them with y'all because they have really blessed me in my present. As much as I disliked doing some of the things as a busy teenager, her gentle teachings became ingrained in my heart and I carry them with me every day. I am not a "know it all", nor do I claim to be, I just think that God gives each of us women different types of wisdom that we are to share with each other. Not everyone had a Mom-Mom in their life, so in her honor I want to share some of her cleaning tips in a series of upcoming blogs. If you dont get to do it "her way" thats ok too! Dont feel guilty! I OFTEN have nights where I crash into bed and say "Sorry mom-mom, I just cant tonight"! I justify my self by thinking that if she could tell me one thing from Heaven it would be that cleaning is not as important in life as she thought it was! Followed by her belly laugh. ;)
Laundry 101.
Laundry to many women is their least favorite chore. Just as we get finished our final load the basket is full again and we feel like we are washing all week long. Does the dryer ever stop? Trying to save on the Gas bill, but how can we with all this never ending laundry?! Living out of laundry baskets and then when the next laundry day comes you realize that you just never got to putting that laundry away from the basket, and here it is time to filling it again! Dont the kids know they can wear their pajamas more than once and also their jeans? Didnt they only out that shirt on for one hour? Why is it in the laundry again?! Why am I only washing 1 pair of underwear for Jonny? Where are my husbands work shirts? Oh, the fun of doing laundry!
My mom-Mom was a laundry pro. She NEVER had clothes in her hamper!!! Can you imagine?! As soon as one thing was dirty she would just throw it in, dry it and fold it and put it away. Amazing! In fact I remember her looking for laundry to do! Ha!
1. Pick a designated laundry day. Did you know the most popular laundry day of the week is Monday? This use to be my day too, but I pushed it back to Sunday because lately after church my afternoons have been very uneventful. (A perfect time for laundry) Make sure your family knows when laundry day is so they can get up in the morning and gather all of their dirty clothes into their hamper and bring it into the laundry room. Dont forget sheets!
2. Do ALL of your laundry on your designated laundry day. This means washing, drying, folding and putting away. Force yourself to follow through. make it a goal! Dont do any other chores until your laundry is done, or do it while its drying. Keep your brain only in laundry mode!
3. Seperate your loads into family members. I always do my husbands wash first. Then the child who is out of clothes (has no underwear) and then so on. This makes the task look less daunting and overwhelming. One load at a time, bite by bite. Towels into a separate pile and also sheets.
4. Dont forget about your wash! Put the buzzers on on your machines for a reminder if need be. Switch the load right away, the quicker you switch it, the more efficient for your time in getting all your wash done on laundry day.
5. The worst task ever; Fold your laundry right out of the dryer. This is possible! Find a spot, your bed, a table, the couch. A place where you can fold and separate all of your laundry. and make it your designated laundry spot. My grandfather who is still alive and 93 still brings his laundry into his room, puts the laundry basket on his bed and folds it then puts it away (bless his heart) My Mom-Mom trained him well too! ;) take this 10 minutes to fold it while its hot. If for some reason you cannot fold it while its hot, to avoid having to throw it back in the dryer, go through the basket real quick and lay it out. This keeps it from getting wrinkly and you can come back to it later. I had to do this today, and I layed it out in seperate piles and my folding was only 5 minutes when I got home.
6. Once the persons laundry you are doing is done, washed, dries and folded on the bed or table. WALK IT into their room and PUT IT AWAY. DO NOT LET IT TOUCH THE EVIL BASKET! lol! ;) This is good exercise! Take each pile of shirts, socks, etc separately into the room and put it in its designated drawer. If you want to put it in the basket, fine. Just make sure you leave the room with an empty basket! Force yourself to put the clothes away.
7. Continue on with this until every person has their laundry done. Always do towels last. sheets before towels because the kids need sheets to sleep on at night. Just like clothes when the sheets are done walk right into the bedroom and put the sheets on the bed. Sometimes my last loads arent done until close to bed time so hot sheets are a favorite to my kids.
8. If you didnt notice I dont color separate my laundry. I separate it by person. I have never had laundry run colors unless it was new, and if I was afraid of it running I just use cold water. Warm/cold for the rest of the laundry and Hot only for towels and sheets or something that needs extreme stain removal. . If you need to do a load of whites to bleach , just separate a pile of whites from each persons pile and do your whites last so you can go put away the last pieces in this pile.
9. Socks. dreaded. My grandmother always rolled my Gradfathers socks together perfectly. Never wrapped them with one sock over the other because she said it ruined the rubber. I match socks, but dont wrap them, I just put them away flat together. If you need to match socks, matching as each persons laundry is folded is much easier than a giant pile of socks from the whole family! 6 pairs is much easier than 1000! Lol!
10. Clothes that need to be hung. As soon as you pull them from the dryer just hang them aside on a chair from the table or a separate pile on your bed or folding area. make separate piles for each closet and put them away as that persons other laundry goes into their room.
Well friends. This is what has worked for me and made laundry an easier task. It makes laundry last longer and when it piles up the next designated laundry day will be here just as you notice it starting to mountainize (Is that a word? )
**IF you have a person in your family that has run out of clothes sooner, simply take their laundry only and do it on a sooner day. Take note to yourself that husband runs out of boxers by Sunday and needs them by Monday. Throw in his laundry only on Sunday and complete the task and you will have a happy hubby come Monday. Kids and your clothes can proceed as usual to Monday wash day.
Hope this can help somebody out there?! Please comment with any laundry tips you may have that have made this huge task easier.
Until next time. Be blessed.
Anna
Friday, August 31, 2012
Silence is Golden
As the deer pants for water so my soul pants for you O'Lord!
What an amazing summer it has been for our little family. One of my dear friends said to me yesterday "Anna, I think you have done more this year than you have done in your entire life, and I cant be more happy for you"....She really made me think because its so true. We have been so abundantly blessed this year some mornings I wake up just in awe of it all and have to fall on my knees before the Lord. I had a little in home demonstration at my house on Friday night with just a few girls and we played this game "I have never". If you have ever played the game, you say "I have never ___" and whoever has done what you said you have never done has to give you a penny. The person with the most pennies by the end is the winner. I had such a hard time with this game because in the past year I have done so many things that I never thought I would be able to do in my lifetime, and it was all with the strength of our Lord! Its in those moments when you realize your blessings are so many that all you can do is say thank you Jesus again and again.
Life isnt always easy though. In the mist of the many blessings are many, many trials. Our Lord never said that it would be easy, He just promised that He would never leave us.
lately my biggest struggle has been understanding people. Always a struggle for me...I teach my children that all people are created differently and that there is a reason that God didnt create us all the same way. So when they get mad because a sibling or a friend doesnt quite do things the way they would do it or the way they think is right we cant be mad at them. Its been quiet a learning experience for me because there are some days when I just dont get why some people do things the way they do, or how they can even go to bed at night knowing how they treated somebody that day. Especially children, I have a really, really hard time when children are mistreated because of selfishness. My constant prayer is that God would help me to see people through HIS eyes and not my own. Isnt it amazing that he sees through it all and loves us no matter what? ALL of us!
lately my biggest struggle has been understanding people. Always a struggle for me...I teach my children that all people are created differently and that there is a reason that God didnt create us all the same way. So when they get mad because a sibling or a friend doesnt quite do things the way they would do it or the way they think is right we cant be mad at them. Its been quiet a learning experience for me because there are some days when I just dont get why some people do things the way they do, or how they can even go to bed at night knowing how they treated somebody that day. Especially children, I have a really, really hard time when children are mistreated because of selfishness. My constant prayer is that God would help me to see people through HIS eyes and not my own. Isnt it amazing that he sees through it all and loves us no matter what? ALL of us!
This week was was a very busy week for me. We ended the summer with a bang and today I needed to wake up, stay in my Pj's a little longer , not brush my teeth and just drink my tea slowly before I started my day. My dishes are piled up in the sink (2 days old, wow that's hard for me to admit!) and I feel fine with it. Cause in the summer you can do things like that ;) I cancelled any appts we had early this morning because sometimes you just need to just be home. My chicks are quietly at home in their nest, just the way I like it. And my soul is panting for my Lord Jesus because only in His presence will I find complete peace and rest for my day. Do you have those moments when in the quiet all your soul pants for is Him?
Monday, June 18, 2012
Fathers Day Sermon "A Masculine Mandate"
Here is our pastors Sermon from yesterday called "A Masculine Mandate". It was too awesome not to share!
Growing Up.
Recently I have been seeing changes in his life and walk. He is growing. Not only physically( I cant keep up with his long legs!) But his heart is changing. Small things, like the other day I was bringing in groceries in the pouring rain and he shows up right beside me all on his own to carry in groceries.
The other day I broke my favorite glass butter dish all over the kitchen floor and there he was right beside me looking for glass on the floor to pick up, all on his own.
At that moment I took a sigh of relief because I was so proud of him for taking his own initiative in helping me. I am by myself a lot with my husbands work schedule, so depending on men to do things is not something I have ever gotten use to. I know this is not natural for all men, and sadly he doesnt have many examples of men in his life that are natural, "unasked" helpers. So this was something he learned on his own and was obedient to listen to his heart when it told him to go to the rescue of Mom. Even though he knows I am very capable of doing it all by myself, there he was by my side. I hesitated in thanking him in the way I really wanted to ( because many motherly emotions were flowing through my heart at that moment) because I didnt want to make a big deal and embarress him. I knew I needed to let him know I was noticing. So I looked at him sternly in the face and said "Jon, thank you for the way you have been helping me lately, you have been such a great help for me with things, and I am really proud of you for doing things without me even having to ask you" End of conversation. He had a huge smile and said "Your'e welcome". Hes been doing great things like this ever since.
I recently read the book called "Thats my Son, How Moms can influence boys to become men of character". By Rick Johnson. (AWESOME book) In his book he said that quick and simple words with boys always works best and makes the biggest impact.
This past weekend he went on his first missions trip with his youth class at church. His youth leaders are amazing and they have set up Mission types of things for the kids to do throughout the summer to keep them serving. On Saturday they went to the Whosoever Gospel mission over in P.A and ate with and entertained homeless men who were in this rehabilitation center. We also had a birthday BBQ to go to on Saturday with some of his favorite people there , but when he left in the morning he knew that even though he wanted to go to the BBQ more, that being at the rehabilitation center was the best thing to do. When he got home late that evening we layed in his bed and talked about what he had experienced that day. I knew this was all new for my very well protected boy who has never truly experienced the ghetto, doesnt know what a drug addict or alcoholic is or even ever really saw a homeless person. I could see the bafflement in his face when he got home, but his questions were few and he had an understanding in knowing that he may have changed the life of a hurting man that day. My husband and I were so proud of him.
When I saw that he was growing weary and had no more to share ( even though I had sooo many more questions) we opened his History book ( his favorite thing to read before bed) and read about Russian Communism. LOL, it was quite disturbing to me to read about it all before bed, but I could feel the excitement in his bones as he said "Please Mom, just one more chapter"!
I love him to pieces! Yesterday when we were driving to dinner for fathers day Pete was telling the kids about how he was weary about going out to Hibachi because he may have to socialize. We all laughed, and inside I cringed a bit because our Pastor had just talked about that part of loving the church means loving the people in it. You cant love the church without loving the people in it. So shortly after my cringe Jon blurts out "Mom, I love people" (big sigh of relief on my part) . It was a great opportunity to talk about how its easy to love the easily lovable people but how God challenges us to love the people who are not so lovable. I can only pray he always thinks that way!
I love seeing him grow and watching the Lord work in his life. I know all moments won't always be like this with my son, but for now Im basting in this Joy that can only come from our Lord! Glory to God in the highest!!
~Anna
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Update on My Pop
Im going to take yet another blog post to praise the Lord for my grandfather. If you dont know the depth of my love for this man by now then check into my archives and see why I adore him so much.
On Monday I went down to spend the day with my Mom and of course ended up at my grandfathers house. There was one time a few months ago when I felt led to serve him and love him so deeply so I decided to massage his feet and legs. His ankles were a bit swollen and I had a pull within me that told me I could massage away the swell. So I sat and washed his feet in a basin of water , placed hot rags on his knees and legs and massaged his legs and feet. The man walks every single day for 2 miles or more with his little rascal of a dog pulling him at full speed. I know he enjoys walking and I thought that this was the least I could do for him to help his health. I enjoy massaging, skin and feet do not gross me out and I even gave him a pedicure afterwards. It filled my heart with joy to do this for him and I learned after this that his love language was definitely acts of service. So this visit was more special than many of the other visits. My Pop was diagnosed with Cancer in his stomach just about a month or two ago. It was a hard time for everyone because he is 92 and due to his age decided not to accept any treatment. he said that every day is a blessing for him and so if it was Cancer that was going to take him home then so be it. He put himself in a "cancer patient" state of mind and started living as though this year may be his last.
One night when i was alone I cried and prayed. I admit, some days praying for Cancer patients is draining for me. Some days I have no words left in my prayers except for pleading with the Lord to save their lives. Too many funerals have I gone to after spending many days on my knees with faith and hope that this person would be healed. Dont get me wrong, I believe our God is bigger than Cancer and with a small breath he could heal every single cancer patient as if the disease never existed. But, in our earthly minds even though that seems like it would be the perfect thing to happen, what God sees is more than we can ever imagine. But still I prayed for my Pop and pleaded for his 92 year old life.
On Monday when I got to my moms she told me he hasnt been doing so good. He has been very weak and he has lost a lot of weight. He was going to the Doctors that day with my aunt to get the results of some recent blood tests. She said this doctor has been annoying him every time to get radiation, etc. Later in the day when he finally got home it was all good news. Not only were his blood tests great, he actually has gained weight! The "cancer" is still the same and there it sits doing NOTHING. Im rejoicing in the Lord! I grabbed him and hugged him. We stayed for dinner and he cooked his famous chicken noodle soup proudly. He still has got it. His cooking is amazing. Its comforting to me, it brings me back to my childhood and how excited I always got for his cooking.
I got to give him his foot massage and let me tell you this man has the strongest bones, there is nothing weak about him. I really enjoyed serving. As I sat there my children played around me, my Aunt was on her hands and knees scrubbing his floors, my daughter was dusting for him and he just sit back and closed his eyes. I felt blessed for him because we get to do this for him. A man who has worked so hard for everyone else all his life finally gets to sit back and enjoy his turn to be served. He is so very loved. 31 years he was retired on my birthday this year. He retired the year I was born. I love that and I feel so special celebrating that with him.
Now I know all his future days and test results may not always be this good, but Im believing they will be because after all he did promise me he would live forever. ;)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
6
Where has the time gone sweet girl? It feels like yesterday I hadnt slept for 24 hours straight and was fighting to keep my eyes open just so I could stare at you a little longer. I didnt want to miss a minute. Size two diapers in the hospital and people stopping in to visit the "toddler" that was born. The hospital gown you had to wear because you didnt fit in the little newborn undershirts and the little hat that popped right off your head.
Your sleepless nights were joyful for me. Your little hands in mine and little sounds in the middle of the night summoning me to know you were hungry. I had a little girl of my very own after praying for so long. I remember Daddy waking with me one night and telling me what a good Mom I was because I knew just how to soothe you. Ill hold that moment in my heart forever.
I remember you being so fussy because you couldnt run around with your brother. As soon as you found your legs you were off and so happy. We havent been able to stop you since.
You tell me all the time that you are a climber and the most energetic girl in the house! Daddy, Jon and I have no arguments about that!
You use to be shy and timid when you were littler, and now you are the hugger of all huggers! You have no restraint when it comes to hugging somebody to let them know how much you love them. You love to jump right into your Daddys and your grandpops (both of them) arms. And if you had a choice that is right where you would stay all day. Kisses for your Daddy and your grandpops are endless and Im pretty sure they melt right into your hands when you do so.
You make silly little voices and sounds with your brother. You are a silly girl! You remind me so much of me when I was little. I loved making silly faces and voices and making people laugh. You do the same and it brings me joy! You also know when its time to be serious and you are an excellent student! I really enjoy every moment of home schooling you.
Right now you are having two of your little friends over for a sleepover for your birthday and the giggles are endless through the house. Its joyful, a pleasure to this Mama's bones!!
Our baby, you are 6!! Can I stop time?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
An update.
I started this post a few days ago and it brings me Joy to reread it and see how truly blessed I am!
So much has happened since last October when we were just beginning to feel what it was like to have my husband working as a service technician with PSEG.
God is so good. All my fears and worries were quickly gone and we were blessed with a new house in a wonderful neighborhood that Nov! It was an amazing gift from God and now we have been here for almost 4 months and I am still loving every minute of it. The weather has been unusually warm for being the dead of winter and my kids have been able to play outside in our backyard almost every day since we have been here. For Christmas we got them a 7ft trampoline with the net enclosure for our backyard and they have been jumping away since then.
We have enjoyed doing school together on our big sunlit front porch. There is definately something about the presence of the warm sun on your face that makes even schooling enjoyable for all!
We have enjoyed MANY play dates with all of our friends that we dreamt about having over when we were in the apartment. Lots of sleepovers and even a slumber party for Jon back in December for his 11th birthday! I have enjoyed many long talks and laughs with dear friends over tea and scrabble. Prayed with and shared tears of joy and sadness with some of the wonderful people who inhabit my life. I had my house full of 20 women and 18 children at one time when we had an in home demonstration for my sister! It was glorious! I have always dreamt of opening my home to bless others and so I am so grateful at this time in my life I really can.
Petes schedule has been nothing less than crazy, but we are so blessed by all the overtime. He leaves at about 6am and doesnt return until between 8-11pm most evenings. I feel safe where we are now and I have become use to single parenting and our schedule. We keep ourselves busy and by the time the end of the day comes I am very ready for my children to go to bed and get some quiet time alone. I am so thankful that in truth I am not a single parent because when the days come that my husband is actually off I am joyful because its so wonderful to have the extra hands.
The children have both been wonderful. They are both growing and changing so much. They are both really enjoying home school this year.
Jon is really thriving in 5th grade and I have REALLY been enjoying teaching him this year. I have enjoyed it so much that I thought if I was ever a teacher I would want to teach 5th grade. He is a hard worker, diligent and so very smart. His favorite subjects are still History and Science. In History we are studying the Eastern hemisphere, currently on Africa. In science we are studying Energy. He has really improved in Math, last year he was really struggling with fractions, etc and now he is zipping through them confidently. I am so proud of him! He is starting his second season of travel soccer and he has been training with a friend of ours over the winter to build up his skills and confidence. He was really excited about his first practice on Monday evening and we are looking forward to the season. I love Spring soccer because of the weather! His love language is definitely words of affirmation (just like me). I love him because he is so gentle hearted with younger children and older people. Im praying he always stays this way!
Little Miss Kylie Joy has really improved as well. She is my example that I always use when a parent thinks that their child is unfit for home schooling. I think back to last year when I had her all registered to go to our local public school for Kindergarten and how I really felt strongly that the Lord wanted me to home school her. I admit I was questioning God thinking that this was not for her. Well, its beautiful when you see Gods plan unravel because my girl is such an amazing home school student. She works so hard to do her very best work, never gives me a problem when its time to do school and she really enjoys it. She is a social bug so she does love many play dates with friends and asks me every single day where we will be going that day. She loves her friends dearly and will still talk about her little friends from pre school like she just saw them yesterday. She reminds me a lot of myself in that way. She LOVES to read and is so excited that she is doing so on her own. Shes quick at math and catches on to new concepts quickly. Sometimes she really surprises me! She is a (very) sensitive, warm hearted girl that sometimes this Mama lioness has a hard time understanding. Im the dust yourself off, get up and try again kinda' girl and she needs to dwell and cry a little more than most little girls. Her love language is absolutely physical touch and I am so blessed that my husband has some of that love language as well and so those two stick together like glue!! She is very tall, already wearing size 7 pants because of her height. She has an absolute love for ALL animals and her and her Daddy can lay close together for hours watching animal shows of any kind. She gets very mad when people call her Dory dog "dumb" and you can often find those two cradled together under some table throughout the day. She has a special call for Dory that Dory responds quickly to and the dog seems to love her just as much. Dory has attended many tea parties, magic shows and Kylie has recently been training her in the back yard when she plays "dog show" with her. Bows and all, Dory is a trooper! I love her heart and I am so blessed to be her stay at home Mommy that can really know it the best.
Pete and I are taking a trip to The Riviera Maya, Mexico this coming March 15th to attend our friends wedding. This is the first time I have been out of the country and only the second time I have ever flown. I am pretty nervous, but my excitement has overidden my nervousness at this point and I am really excited that we are actually doing this. I know that once I am finally there and relaxing I am going to be happy and all the stress of planning will be worth it. makes sense that this is my first trip and stress will come a long with it. Maybe the second trip will be a little less stressful!
Look for lots of upcoming pictures from our trip!
In Him,
Anna
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
A new season
Im so proud of him. My heart overflows with gladness for him to be able to be where he wants, and most of all that he can see the Lords hand in it all. Before he started we sat on the edge of our bed together talking about how God so beautifully planned this position out for him, to protect our family and meet all of our needs. It is one of those moments that when you look at the whole story your eyes kind of buldge out a bit just thinking about how amazing it is. Silence and awe are all that you can respond with. Im still pinching myself about Pete working for PSEG even after two years.
For me as a wife and a Mom, I am trying not to complain, act scared or even shaken at this point. He gets worried if I get like that and I know part of his decision in taking this position was knowing that I was going to be ok.
When Monday came I woke up, prayed and puffed my chest out ready to take on this new life. It was harder this week because my car has been in the shop since last Thursday and I was starting to feel trapped by Tuesday. Last night I sat in my bed , felt myself starting to crumble after laying down Kylie who was running a fever. I told myself I wasnt going to cry, prayed a little and then just waited for him to get home.Then I layed there and told myself that I had to learn how to pick a bed time and just lay down and go to bed not worrying about what time he would be home. I thought about how I cooked dinner for the first time tonight in days (nuggets and fries, whooptee doo) and how would I learn to cook dinner for just the three of us? As a bit of panic set in, and stayed with me through the night I was reminded this morning of the provider who is there with the three of us every moment and that I would not let the enemy of my soul shake me.
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord who has compassion on you". Isaiah 54:10
So here I go, walking down a new path. I am ever so grateful for my Mom and sister who have covered me with their loving kindness, called me just to talk, rescued me from the same old walls of my home just to take a walk in the park, or even go yardsaling. My darling sister who has allowed me to go grocery shopping alone more than once! Im thankful for a support group of friends that can share my aches, and always reminding me that they are there. Winter will be long, but I hang onto the fact that God is always Good, even in the deep, dark , cold winter days!
I am so blessed to be at home with my babies, teaching them , and them teaching me about what is most precious in life. I wouldnt want it any other way! I am so grateful for my husbands self sacrificing love and dedication to our family that allows me to live this life as full time Mom. Its something I have always dreamed of.
Living under his wing. Anna
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Thoughts from the Laundry room.
This is from my dear blogging friend and sister in Christ Amber. If I could have written this from my very own heart this is exactly how it would have came out, but she writes it so much better! I have been thinking about this a lot lately, who we as women feel like we need to be to the world. I think that if we just strive to be ourselves (who God created us to be) and not what the world "thinks" we should be then indeed many people would nestle in a little closer , be thankful for the normalcy and breathe a little lighter knowing that in your presence they dont have to strive for perfection and that they are not alone in their struggles.
I admit, one of my own personal struggles is when I have to go and visit somebody who I have to "pretend" for, or feel like I need to impress. Dont we all have 1 or 2 people like that in our lives? It makes me wonder if that person is feeling like they need to be that way around me too? I hope not. Oh Lord, make me more like you!!!
God Bless. Anna
{my laundry room}
i read once that every blogger has to come to a point of defining what their blog will be about.
which made me think. gee. i wish i had one of those nice cooking blogs.
where i just talk about how to roast a chicken or boil eggs properly.
or a decorating blog. simply showing pictures of beautiful fluffy things {all in white},
which seems to be all the rage now.
instead. i have a blog about life. my life.
which isn't anything overly super cool or extraordinary.
i've learned {hopefully.workingonit} to blog just for myself. if that makes sense?
to write as if talking to friends, and view this place as simply one to record life lessons.
and yet, there are times when even open book me hesitates to record.
when i don't want anyone to see my ugly side, for fear they'll run away screaming..
when trying to write down and process what God's working over in my life might come out just a bit too messy.
and weird, and not coated in all the "spiritual" sounding things it should~
when sometimes. i just want to say, "life kinda sorta sucks today." and not feel i have to tag on the disclaimer,
"BUT! there's so much to be thankful for!" ;)
maybe some just turned and ran away just then. but, that's okay.
if anything, i'm tired of the try hard life of pleasing others, and ready to drop the walls and just get real.
dirty laundry? yeah. maybe sometimes.
but ya know what, girlfriends.. dirty laundry is part of life.
trust me. you'll never see my dirtiest. and i trust i won't see yours.
there's boundaries and some things only meant to be shared between us and God.
but i'm done with closing the door all the time on my laundry room before i let a friend through the front door~
do you get what i mean?
especially in the online world.
we've become so airy fairy with our lives that some are afraid to ever admit to having a bad day~
and sure. online isn't exactly the "real world." i get that.
but the women on the other side of this screen are certainly living in the real world, same as me.
and in most real worlds, bad days {weeks.months.years} happen. ;)
and i want to allow others the freedom to admit when life isn't all, praise Jesus and kumbaya. with no disclaimers necessary.
to works toward being the kind of christian that lets others breathe a bit easier when they're around me~
and. "you breathe different in a room when you know it’s not about the good you can accomplish but about the grace you can accept."
at times though, when i'm not necessarily feeling "on," i tend to hunker down and hide.
from those closest to me, to of course, blogging about it.~
but as i discovered once again this week.. satan likes it when i hunker and hide.
he wants me to. he knows he's got me then.
out of reach from those that God might use to encourage my heart, uplift and point me back to Him.
and as hard as it might be to stand and allow my faults to be seen full on, i know ultimately, that's what i need~
to be reminded. no, Satan. you're wrong. i'm not alone in this one.
and though different people and different journeys, people and journey's just the same~
hopefully all striving towards the same finish line. the finish line of "well done," when someday, our eyes meet His.
for now. some may walk. some may sprint. some may limp along. but we're all going to eventually get there.
BY HIS GRACE. we're all going to eventually get there.~
and yeah. maybe with a bit of dirty laundry every now and then flying all over the place in the process! :)
Monday, September 05, 2011
50 rules for Dads of daughters
I just had to share this!
xoAnna
50 Rules for Dads of Daughters
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
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