My sleepy eyes have been opened. I have been too focused on making each day eventful with some big thing for the boy and girl to be involved in and to remember. (And to be appropriately documented on film!)
But, it's really about the living. Waking up together, breakfast, bath time, laundry and grocery shopping. It's cups of tea, petting dogs, walking around the block, getting the mail. It's living. It's about sharing life.
I am the luckiest person I know. I get to know my kids so deeply. I get to watch them discover and blossom. I get to share the hours, the moments with two fantastic, precious people.
Hearing their duet -- Momma, Momma, Momma -- is more lovely than the pealing bells of Piazza San Marco!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Making the Daily Things Special
I get so bogged down in taking care of all the basic needs of the girl and boy, that I often don't stop to play.
Laughter, togetherness and yummy food. Fun, yes, fun.
I noticed myself getting really jealous of the type of time my husband spends with the kids. After a long day of work, he walks in a superhero. Hurray, Dad is home!!! He sweeps the kids off on a walk and tumbles around on the floor with them for a couple of hours.
I seem stuck in the making meals, giving baths, dressing, changing diapers mode. I want to play. I want to want to play! And I'm sure my babies would be thrilled by more fun.
But, since I am the primary care-giver during the day, I can't stop fixing lunch or brushing teeth. So, I've decided I'm going to make a conscious effort to make these daily things fun. I want to make an adventure out of things that we have to do.
And so to begin, we played Mini Pizza Pesto Factory. The boy watched and clapped as the girl and I whipped out lunch assembly-line style.
Laughter, togetherness and yummy food. Fun, yes, fun.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Amazing Love
I never imagined the depth of love I'd have for my children. I never knew how unbearable it would be to watch them struggle.
The boy and girl are both sick this week. As the night settles, their symptoms bloom making for a restless night. Even when they sleep, I am half-awake next to them listening for each breath, snapping up at each cough.
The illness is not life-threatening. But that possible story plays over in my mind. And I can't stand the outcome. It is with these thoughts that I realize that I must place them in God's hands. They belong to Him. I am only His servant keeping them for a while. (Thank You for the privilege, Lord!) What a tender, meaningful, valuable position.
Nothing has made me run to the Lord more quickly, more frequently than being a mother. No experience or responsibility in my life has made me more aware of my failings and my need for the almighty God to lift me up, guide me, transform me.
These are not just two little copies of our faces. They clearly mirror our personalities, our actions, our words. Sometimes it is a hilarious representation, but too often a guilty reflection of our inadequacies.
So everyday, there is a stream of prayer from my heart to the heavens. Please God, help me love them, discipline them, teach them according to Your will and Your way. And everyday, He answers. He transforms. He protects. He provides.
The boy and girl are both sick this week. As the night settles, their symptoms bloom making for a restless night. Even when they sleep, I am half-awake next to them listening for each breath, snapping up at each cough.
The illness is not life-threatening. But that possible story plays over in my mind. And I can't stand the outcome. It is with these thoughts that I realize that I must place them in God's hands. They belong to Him. I am only His servant keeping them for a while. (Thank You for the privilege, Lord!) What a tender, meaningful, valuable position.
Nothing has made me run to the Lord more quickly, more frequently than being a mother. No experience or responsibility in my life has made me more aware of my failings and my need for the almighty God to lift me up, guide me, transform me.
These are not just two little copies of our faces. They clearly mirror our personalities, our actions, our words. Sometimes it is a hilarious representation, but too often a guilty reflection of our inadequacies.
So everyday, there is a stream of prayer from my heart to the heavens. Please God, help me love them, discipline them, teach them according to Your will and Your way. And everyday, He answers. He transforms. He protects. He provides.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Proverbs 31 Woman
If this is the goal, no wonder each moment is so daunting. I'm barely scratching the surface.
The Wife of Noble Character - Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
The Wife of Noble Character - Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Moving on
I'm not sure what I expected. Some big changes? Some a-ha moments? Instead, I'm trudging through the goals. Struggling. Everything is a struggle.
But, I'm moving forward. On to the next goal. I need a break from this trying to be an excellent wife stuff. Maybe if I quit trying, it will just come. Nope. Not for me. Remember, everything is a struggle. It's the story of my life.
But, I'm moving forward. On to the next goal. I need a break from this trying to be an excellent wife stuff. Maybe if I quit trying, it will just come. Nope. Not for me. Remember, everything is a struggle. It's the story of my life.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Coupon Coup
I was last on the subject of helping my hard-working hubby's paycheck stretch veil-thin. And so, I just have to share my recent victory! Kroger held a special couponing event Saturday --- doubling coupons up to a dollar.
I spent about two hours in the store. After three transactions at checkout, I had spent $70 on $305 worth. The basket was piled high and I left with about 25 bags of various groceries and household items. Here's a peek:
All of these items were free!
Under $0.50 each
$0.50 to $1
Various discounts
If you'd like to find out how this works, email me!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Making money work
My husband works very hard to provide a comfortable, secure life for us. He's extremely dedicated to his career, but is always careful to keep his priorities in order. He creatively approaches ways to increase our resources so we can do the things that matter to us.
When I left my professional position to stay home full-time to raise our children (just the girl at the time), I viewed my new venture as both a privilege and a job. The longer I am at home, the more I discover about what I can do to support my husband's efforts outside the home.
My latest endeavor is to stretch our dollars buying groceries and household items. It has become a game of sorts. And the results have been nothing less than thrilling!
I began by using a trial run of services at www.thegrocerygame.com . (If you want to sign up, please let me know so I can give you some referral information.) I talked with others about couponing, stockpiling and saving. And discovered more resources:
www.yourcouponbuddy.com
www.couponing101.com
www.coupons.com
It takes some time. Cutting and sorting and saving coupons. Readying lists. Making the shopping trips with two kids in tow. But, it has made me feel like I'm making a significant financial contribution. I'm proud to be wisely using the money that my husband has worked so hard to earn. And there's great satisfaction in knowing that we're getting so much for so little! At this point, we're saving 40-60% on average. Some trips are even more successful. Try it. What's not to love about saving money?
When I left my professional position to stay home full-time to raise our children (just the girl at the time), I viewed my new venture as both a privilege and a job. The longer I am at home, the more I discover about what I can do to support my husband's efforts outside the home.
My latest endeavor is to stretch our dollars buying groceries and household items. It has become a game of sorts. And the results have been nothing less than thrilling!
I began by using a trial run of services at www.thegrocerygame.com . (If you want to sign up, please let me know so I can give you some referral information.) I talked with others about couponing, stockpiling and saving. And discovered more resources:
www.yourcouponbuddy.com
www.couponing101.com
www.coupons.com
It takes some time. Cutting and sorting and saving coupons. Readying lists. Making the shopping trips with two kids in tow. But, it has made me feel like I'm making a significant financial contribution. I'm proud to be wisely using the money that my husband has worked so hard to earn. And there's great satisfaction in knowing that we're getting so much for so little! At this point, we're saving 40-60% on average. Some trips are even more successful. Try it. What's not to love about saving money?
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