Still

There are times in life when a little reflection is needed.
There are times in life when you just have to take a step back.

God is speaking to me yet my life is filled with so much else that I can't hear Him.
I need to hear Him.

When you can't claim the joy that God has predestined for your life as one of His chosen...... Take some time to pray. Take some time to get in the Word. Take. Some Time. (I'm speaking to me here)

I work, I take care of my family, I am active in church, I am active in my sorority, I have friends, I have interests, and I could go on and on. Minutes turn to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, but they all seem to run together because I am always doing something. Even when I am doing nothing, my mind is still in overdrive thinking of what needs to be done, what hasn't gotten done, and how I'll get things done better the next time.

Where have I made time for ME?
Better question: Where have I made time for HIM?

We only get one life and we have to make the most of everyday.
I need to do better.
I told myself 2009 was going to prove to be major when it comes to my spiritual walk. Three things I have committed to for this year are attending Sunday School, attending Bible Study, and tithing regularly.
I have tithed, but I wouldn't consider myself a tither - this needs to change. All God is asking for is a tenth.... can we please do better in '09
I was a regular Bible Study goer prior to the babies, a little less regular after Jordie was born and completely irregular after Aaron was born. Some would say babies are a valid excuse and I guess to some degree they are (or, rather WERE), but no more.... can we please do better in '09
Sunday School is a completely new venture. I was teaching a beginners' French class last year which got me to Sunday School regularly, but since those have been discontinued until further notice...I have been at home early Sunday mornings. Other than my teaching days (both before and after), I didn't go to Sunday School.... can we please do better in '09

What is God trying to tell me? Only He and I can figure this out.
I have the faith that we'll get there - or should I say.. He'll get me there, but I have to put in my time to make it happen. The Word tells us, faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

God hasn't told me to move. Why am I in constant motion?
God hasn't told me to speak. Why am I running my mouth?
God told me to keep my eyes on Him - I'm trying. I'm trying, really I am.

The three lights of my life are upstairs in their beds off in dreamland.
I am now off to join them - in the most wonderful dreamland there is.. where lights are out, tv's are off, books are closed, and it's just me. Still.

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

44

Today is one for the history books.
Today the nation gathered in unity and love for a cause much greater than politics.
Today the world gathered in unity and love on this.. the dawn of a new era.
Today, the day after Martin Luther King Day, service like no other has begun.
Today tears of joy are overflowing.
Today my boys can see with their own eyes that all things are possible.
Today we can believe that humility is indeed greater than pride.
Today a man of integrity has given this country a renewed hope.
Today my prayers are with the Obama and Biden families.
Today is significant.
Today is power.
Today is love.
Today is peace.
Today is victory.

44 ...change we can believe in

Off the deep end...

Sooooo, I am exhausted! What else is new?? I need to look into some vitamins or something because I have been dragging all month! Today is the 24th, so that's over 3 weeks where I spend more time yawning than blinking! *YYYYYAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNNN*

So, guess what I did yesterday?? Here's a hint - I jumped in the deep end at my swim class!! Yeah, I know that was way more than a hint but I couldn't help myself!!! :-D This was only our 3rd class, but I did it. I know I didn't cure cancer or anything, but I have a SERIOUS water phobia!! Like, it's not funny! Our instructor, Bill, took my hand and jumped in with me. He is soooo patient - jumping in water with a grown woman!!! LOL Check that visual!!! LMBO I really have to laugh at myself. Anyway, after the first jump, I took off the training wheels and jumped in by myself!! WOOO HOOOO!!! I know - I'm awesome! :-P

I'm still trying to get comfortable floating on my back, but I'm confident I'll get there. I've spent 28+ years scared of water - that won't change overnight, but I'm proud of the little progress that I've made. We'll see what happens next week.

In other GREAT news - SHANA GETS TO GO HOME TOMORROW!!! YAHOOOOOOO!! She had 2 drains in her abdomenal region for the excess fluids and such... well, she had those taken out today. I KNOW that had to hurt - but she's so strong...I'm sure she only cried a little bit! Ok, well she told me she cried a lot, but I didn't want that on her permanent record.. lol It appears all is going well and I'm just happy that she's getting out of there. I've always been told people recuperate better in their own surroundings. Shana and I were roommates for over 5 years in college and before I got married and I am going to be staying with her for a while to help her get back on my feet. Hmmmm, won't this be interesting! I think it'll be fun (kinda) - but I don't think she has cable! UGHHH! She was supposed to get it before the surgery, but I don't think she did. Glad we both have Netflix!

So, Shana got her drains taken out and she gets to go home tomorrow after having major surgery. I jumped in some deep water completely surrounded by lifeguards and was never really in any imminent danger. I'll say it again - a little perspective.. Even still, 3 baby cheers for me working on my fears (which is really a blog all in and of itself..)

Traditions, toe kisses & a little perspective

WHEW!!! It's been a LONG week and an even lonnnnnnnger weekend! I can't complain though! Well, I could but where would that get me?

So, when I found out I was pregnant for the second time I knew that I wanted to start all sorts of traditions for my family - Easter eggs, going to the pumpkin patch before Halloween, Christmas morning breakfast, family fun nights, etc. The boys and I went to the pumpkin patch last October and we plan to go again in a couple of weeks for this year's trip. I'm excited! We're still working on Christmas. We've gotta work out the kinks but we're getting there. So far, we have the boys in their Christmas pajamas and we have a big breakfast on Christmas morning. I think I'm gonna also let them open one gift on Christmas Eve - that won't be a big deal until they are older though.

ANYWAY, since we reached the milestone of everyone in the house eating the same meals - I decided to start my dinner and a movie tradition. We had to wait until Aaron could eat what we eat before we could start. I'm glad we waited! :-) We'll do it one Friday a month and I'm proud to report we started this past Friday. We had a 'picnic' on the living room floor eating pizza and drinking chocolate milk and tasty apples for dessert. Our movie of the evening was Finding Nemo. It was a HUGE success!! I can't wait for next month's festivities. Maybe we'll watch The Great Pumpkin since we'll be nearing Halloween. In the meantime, check out my boys....

Eat up boys!

The 2 AJ's (and Jordie's sneaker!) :-D

My boys eating their apples

Apples give Jordie superpowers! lol

As I said, this has been an extraordinarily long week. I tried to fit so much in to my schedule that it became obscene. I'm paying for it now b/c my body is wearing down and I am so fatigued. I just have to make sure I don't get worse! *looking for my ecinacea*

So, I had family coming into town yesterday to attend my sorority's annual scholarship luncheon and fashion show. I was doing all I could to prepare for them. I was cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc in preparation. I probably went a bit overboard, but I wanted everything to be nice for them. So, while the boys were watching Nemo I headed back to the kitchen to make food for Saturday. I made a muy delicioso chicken pot pie and some apple bars - very cakey and super YUMMY! neither dish was very complicated to prepare, but both happened to be quite labor intensive. Once I finished with that and got the boys to bed - I had to finish cleaning my house! AHHHHH! I thought I had made more progress during the week, but I guess not. I didn't get to bed until 3am!!! Once I got up there, I looked at my cell phone (error #1) and saw a text from my boss. He is in Hong Kong so I knew he would be awake - so, I replied (error #2). He wrote back. It was funny b/c he asked why I was still up and if I had just gotten home! I literally LOL'ed. I told him I WISH my life was that glamorous!!! LMBO!!! Anyway, as it turns out, he needed help editing an org chart!!?!???!?!??!?!?!?!!!????!!!?! I went BACK DOWNSTAIRS, turned my computer on, made the necessary changes and hit the send button as fast as I could!!!!! (error #3). On my flight back up the stairs, I had to ask myself why I answered the text!!! Too funny.... Or rather, too sad! LOL

Ok, wow - I really do ramble on don't I.


So, the fashion show on Saturday was a huge success. We had a great turnout, great activity with our raffles and our silent auction. We had some great vendors. And the best part - just about everyone from my table won a door prize!! HOLLA!!! There were a few intense moments (gotta love the seniors), but all in all, a great day! So, the show was supposed to end at 3pm, but we didn't get out until close to 4. My mom and Aunt Vic came back to the house to see the boys. Of course THEY BOTH WERE SLEEPING!!! LOL YAY, they decided to wake up. Tif came over too so mommy could see Jace. He is too cute! It was great having them all over, but can I please tell you how tired I was!!!! I couldn't keep my eyes open for anything. Mommy and Vicki had quite a drive ahead of them, so they didn't stay long.
MomB and her boys (I heart those matching tops...)

They left by about 7pm and Tif was gone by about 8pm. I left Aaron downstairs with Ty and I took Jordie upstairs so we could chill out in the big bed before night night time. I turned on Backyardigans for him and that actually allowed me to close my eyes for a few minutes. I was quickly awakened by a little toddler playing footsies with me. I asked Jordie what he was doing and he said 'touching toes.' It was soooo sweet. Maybe it was just my fatigue talking, but in that moment, nothing could have made me happier. I just changed the name to toe kisses...and he was so generous with them and was more than happy to toe kiss me goodnight! What a special boy i have! MUAHHHHHH to you too Jordie - from my big toe to yours! LOL

WHEEEWWWW.... this is the reason I need to blog more often.


So, I wake up today and I'm still exhausted! I can't seem to get it together. We all made it to Sunday School this morning, so that made me EXTRA happy. We so often try, but we're all a little too slow in the morning. I hope we can go more often - especially since I want to pick my French class back up. The boys were in rare form today and nothing was working to get them to calm down. Needless to say, we left church early. I was just way too tired to wrestle with them in there. My patience was on "E"! We left and the boys were both asleep before we even turned off the block. We all took about a 2 hour nap that afternoon. I woke up, not really refreshed, but ready to finish my day. I was in a bit of a funk, and I knew I had to go see Shana - but I didn't want to go with that attitude. It was too late for lunch but not quite time for dinner, so I just made a quick fruit salad so they wouldn't be starving. It looked quite yummy (apples, grapes, blueberries & strawberries), but I wanted realllllllll food! ;-)

Yummy fruit!! I love those little hands!

Anyway, before I knew it, it was 6pm! I had to get to the

hospital! I left the boys (all 3 of them) and made my way to see Lil Sha Sha.

Seeing her was GREAT! She had her surgery on Thursday and today is just Sunday - she looked FABULOUS!!!!!! She's not moving much, but that will come soon enough. The surgery went well and the surgeons ended up only taking her spleen and part of her pancreas! Isn't God good????!!!! He is able!!! WOO HOO!!! I am so excited for her! I mean, this is not the ideal situation for her, but things are still wayyyy better than they could have been. She has a long road ahead of her, but we're all here to support her. I'm just so proud of her!

Going to see her tonight served a few different purposes.
1. I got to see my dear friend and let her know I'm here for her.
2. I got a quick break from the boys (I love them, but still..lol) and
3. It wasn't intended but it offered me some new perspective on life (& all its ups and downs).

You never know what is in store for your life and you can't always sweat the small stuff. Shana went through something major and just to see her afterward makes me so appreciative of what I've got going for me. My days don't always go according to plan, my house can sometimes be a big mess, my attitude oftentimes needs adjusting - but I have my health, I have my sanity, I have a wonderful family!!! I am BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE! So, thank you Shana..... This is probably just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the lessons we'll all learn from this surgery. I know it's all for God's glory and I can see that manifesting itself already.

So, three cheers for Lil Sha Sha!!!

And with that, I bid you adieu....