Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. ~St. Augustine

It's Time

I'm on a mission to rid my life of clutter. All that "stuff" in my closets, and other spaces with doors where I hide the excess I simply don't need. The junk in my trunk, if you will. The clutter in my heart and mind. The weights that so easily distract. I'm sick of them all!!!

If you have mastered this de-cluttering thing, let me know what you have found to be the most helpful tips.

Snow!

Our family loves snow. We woke up to a thin blanket of snow and frozen rain around 5:00 this morning. By 6:00 my youngest child came in and asked if she could go wake up her brothers. I let her and by 6:15 my children were dressed and out the door for some slushy fun. It's more messy than anything now, but it makes for a cozy day.

In a bit, we'll be off to have lunch with neighbors, sit by the fire, and watch the kids play Wii.

I do love snow!!!

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!!

Today we had the pleasure of keeping my 5 yr. old nephew, and 5 mo. old niece. It was so nice to have a baby around for a couple of hours.

His Shoes

Today, the Inmates decided they wanted to run the Asylum. The Warden let them. Tonight, the Inmates were all in bed at 8:00. That stinks for them on a Friday night. For the Dawg and I, it's been quiet and wonderful.

I picked up a book and did a little reading while the Dawg did the same. I've been sipping on herbal tea, and doing some much needed quiet thinking also. I was sitting looking at DH as he was reading, and my mind ran with imaginations of being 36 (I'm almost 33), starting a second marriage, and having 3 more children (making a total of 5), as my DH did. I can't imagine! I got lost in my own thoughts and the feelings that accompanied. WOW! DH looked over at me and asked if I was okay. I told him I was. He kept looking at me, able to tell something was wrong, or I was in deep thought. He asked what I was thinking and I told him. It opened up some amazing conversation.

It's so easy to get too comfortable in marriage, thinking we know one another inside and out. I don't want to ever get so settled into that mindset that I forget to kick off my sandals, and slide on his boots so I can rediscover who I'm married to.

Thank you Lord for this man.

Cut It Out!

The Holidays were lots of fun, and now I'm wearing all the cream cheese, and other fat/sugar-filled goodies I ate and drank over the season. I promise you, I can see blocks of cream cheese on my thighs and butt (sorry to those of you who are visual).

It's time to fight the bulge, and I am feeling motivated. I have been exercising more, and eating more figure friendly foods. I have never been good at losing weight, yet being tall has enabled me to carry extra weight and not show every pound of it. Honestly, the battle of the bulge has been a long standing one in my life, one I have had to stop obsessing over, and just live. This year I feel a bit different though. I want to lose at least 25 lbs. to put me back at the weight I was as a youth. I feel I could do Weight Watchers or something like that, if necessary without obsessing. I have until Feb. 1. If I haven't lost at least 3 lbs. by then I will bite the bullet and join online Weight Watchers. I SO don't want to do that, but I also SO want to lose weight. We'll see...

Over Christmas I had a heck of an ear infection. I went to the Doctor and he irrigated my ear. WOW! Never had that done. It wasn't gross, and not too much junk came out of my ear, but after the procedure - I felt like something was loose. I think something in there ruptured. Since this Saturday, I have been having these dizzy spells along with anxiety. It's dumb!!! I'm not given to anxiety, and can logically look at my life and see no reason for fear. I was having panic/claustrophobic attacks at red lights, then feeling like I was going to pass out. Strange! I had a date with my younger brother arranged earlier this week, and knew he was looking forward to going. I didn't want to break the date, and didn't want to be unsafe. I sat down with my Bible and read verses about anxiety and fear, then spent time in the shower praying. I could feel myself almost going into the panic feeling at red lights, but was able to redirect my attention, and not feel any of the panic stuff. The Lord was faithful, and I had peace.

In the wake of all of this, I have had suspicions that my thyroid meds were too high because I was feeling very jittery. I didn't take any meds yesterday, and went on with my normal routine. I still felt jittery. Had labs run. Levels are good. Medication is just right. I decided to cut coffee out today and didn't feel the jitters at all. UGH!!! You see, I have been drinking coffee daily for about 14 years now. YIKES! I love coffee, and even had to have a cup of decaf this morning. I am thinking that if I can make these decisions to give up the things I enjoy so much, maybe it will strenghten my ability to say no to snacking at night, and falling into the pits that keep me from being the trim self I want to be.

I have had themes for the past several years. Things I felt the Lord wanted me to work into my character. This year I feel impressed with the Fruits of the Spirit. I guess Self-Control is a great place to start. Thankfully it is a Fruit of His Spirit, and not something I have to muster.

I look forward to where all this leads over the next few months...

Love In Action

Last night I was awakened by a gagging sound around 11:30. I went into our youngest child's room only to find my eldest saying "It's okay, throw up on the floor, miss the bed". The smell was awful, and cleaning up vomit fresh out of a sound sleep isn't my favorite thing to do. My middle child wondered over the horrid gagging coming from the room and came in with his usual impish smile. He started to say "what's that smell?" and only got the "what's" part out. I shook my head, and he just curled his nose. I dismissed him after he asked the youngest if she was okay. The eldest got her some new pj's out, and helped me with the clean up. He was excused several times, and wanted to help me get her settled in. We did. She mastered the art of vomiting in a trash can, and I got up with her several more times before she would finally sleep through the night.

This morning I was talking to my oldest as I was doing last night's laundry. I had taken out the sheets and shook the chunks off (I hope you aren't eating while reading this post!). He asked if I was okay, I guess I was looking a bit green around the gills. Once I assured him I was, he said how he had gone to bed last night only to find our middle child crying as his sister was gagging again. The oldest questioned what was wrong and he said it just made him sad to know his sister was sick and having to go through that. I don't know that I could have been blessed more today.

Often times as a Mother, I feel like I am scattering seeds in the garden of my children's soul, but know there are limits to what I can do. There comes a point where they and their truest Father have to work out the things I am teaching. I pray they do. It is so encouraging when you see buds here and there of the life and truth you are seeking to live in front of these young lives. To see love in action like I did last night is a grand gift from The Father, from them, and from my husband for providing for us so we can live a life that is fostering this closeness among these children. May it continue for the rest of their lives.

I truly will have no greater joy than to know my children walk in truth, and love one another well.

Coming Soon...

Fresh thoughts.