Friday, October 30, 2009

One Week

Well I am impressed on what a difference a week can make. I want to say thanks to those of you who emailed me or talked to me expressing that you were praying for me. I know that has helped me. I also think I have realized a few things about myself in the past few weeks that has helped me have a bit of clarity concerning why I feel certain things and why I react in certain ways. It's always nice to have a bit of introspection to see who it is I really am. I don't know if I can say I am 100% out of the desert I alluded to last week, but God has been gracious enough to show me some 'new things' he is working on. I can see possible reasons for things that I had been clueless about earlier. So, in short, I am breathing easier and feeling quite a bit more like myself. I think one thing that has helped the most is that I've made a ridiculous 'master schedule' for me and the kids. It is loosely followed but I did set aside a reasonable time for prayer and bible study. I have no 'plan' about what I'm studying, yet, but I am spending time on my knees, literally, and then reading. He always speaks, especially when I'm ready to listen.

Moving on: Tomorrow is Halloween. We are going to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. We had a blast at the Trunk-or-treat at church on Wednesday and took several pictures. I think I'll wait til after tomorrow to post them so we can have all the costume pics at once.

Eric is headed back to Nashville for his 4th and final trip this semester next Friday. This has been the craziest semester because of all of these trips. We're looking at 2 more classes and then done. That will be a relief.

I'm off for now. Just wanted to give a quick update. Check back soon for pictures of my sweet ones.

Grace to you
D

Friday, October 23, 2009

Desert

I don't know if it is the weather, I suspect it is, but I have been downright GLOOMY. We had several days of dreary weather. I mean, today is the 23rd of October and according to weather.com, we've had only 5 days of sunshine so far this month and we've had close to 8 inches of rain. I am feeling like all I want to do is lay around and read and ignore my responsibilities. Do you get like that during bad weather? There's no way I could make it in the Seattle area; although, according to weather.com, they've had a day or 2 more of sun and only half the rain this month.

So, is this going to be a post about the weather?? I sure hope not. But I think this grayness in the sky has sort of taken up residence in my mind/heart. I have not been the best I should be lately. Just lazy, I think. Apathetic maybe. I really want to BE better. Looking for motivation. Occasionally I have gotten like this in the past when a change is taking place, like when the baby stuff was being gotten rid of, or other semi-momentous things were coming to an end and new things beginning. But I sense none of that right now. Just the gloom. I see no new thing on the horizon. I see no corner that is being turned. Just the rut I seem to be stuck in.

Isaiah 43:19 says: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

While the desert is looking a little appealing to me right now, just because it is usually sunny there, I get the metaphor. I really want to be able to perceive the new thing. I believe that God is working, always working. I wonder how difficult it is for him to work with desert dwelling people, because I do think I am in a spiritual one right now. I think I have maybe been here a while, wondering around. Maybe it is a good thing that I have now realized it. Maybe now I will start learning whatever it is He has been trying to teach me. I think part of the lesson is letting go of things that I have no control over. My energy is so wasted trying to understand things that aren't clear.

So, how depressing is this post? I am not trying to depress you, but I thought I'd post an honest post so that people know I am not perpetually happy and on top of it...in case anyone had had that impression:) I'd appreciate prayers. I don't expect this to last long. Please God, don't let this last long. I'll take the springs that come with renewal. That is what I desperately need...refreshment.

God bless
D

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Fall is here

What?!!? 2 posts in the same week? Well, I am trying to do better about noticing things that I can write about. Today happened to be one of those days.

Eric got home from his week in Nashville late last night. The kids woke up this morning all excited to see him. They are so glad to have him home. They've been asking to get pumpkins for quite sometime and I keep saying, "You'll have to wait til Dad can take you." Getting pumpkins and Christmas trees falls under 'Dad-directed' activities, in my mind. So, we went and let them pick out a couple of little ones (we'll probably paint them) at the Ag museum this morning and he is going to take them tomorrow to get a big one to carve. Enjoy the following pictures.







After looking at these pictures on the computer, I kept noticing a smudge in about the same place. Sure enough, there was a big fingerprint on the lens. That's what I get for letting the Little Ones use the camera. Oh, well. the next ones will hopefully be better.

Have a wonderful weekend

D

Monday, October 12, 2009

Delinquency

Can you believe that I have been so bad about blogging? It is so unlike me!!! :) Yes, sarcasm.
But really, I think I may have gone longer without a post than I previously ever had. For those of you (all one or two of you) who still read my blog, I'm sorry about that.

Let's see. Since Jaylie's birthday she has started ballet. It is quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. I, of course, think she's terribly graceful and really talented. I'm just glad she's having a good time and looks forward to it every week. Here she is when she was the princess a couple of weeks ago.
Ethan is trucking a long in kindergarten. I'm happy to report that he is doing much better in the afternoons. He used to be such a grump when he came home from the lack of nap. But he seems to be more able to cope without it. But on the weekends, I make him nap to catch up. I've never seen a kid more in need of sleep.


Isaac is doing great in school too. He says he hasn't learned anything yet so we'll have to see about that. He looks forward to going and has friends that he likes so we're happy. He has started practicing for basketball season which will be starting up in a month or so. He would now like to be an NBA player. Hmmmm


Eric's semester this fall includes 4 trips to Nashville. He's currently gone for the week in his 3rd trip. We are so spoiled that he doesn't have to travel very often, like lots of daddys do, but we miss him a lot when he's gone. He graduates in May. We can't wait!

I am busy with all this. I wish I could say that I have really interesting hobbies and spend my time doing all sorts of important things, but it is just not the case. I know my kids are the important thing I'm doing. And I've read a few books in the last several weeks...that counts as a hobby right?

Eric and I got to go on a trip to DC in Sept. We had a great time out there and enjoyed the sites we got to see. It was nice to have a lot of uninterrupted conversation, which doesn't happen much at home. That was our 2nd trip we've taken since Isaac was born. It's nice to get away. So glad my parents are willing and able to care for the kids and allow us to do things like that. The national mall at night is impressive.


I hope you all have a great week and I'll try to be better about posting regularly. That's always supposing I have something to post about:)

Blessings to you
D