TIME FLIES!

and I'm EXHAUSTED! I crave naps these days! I stay up too late, then stay on my toes all day with the 18 month old and the boys after school! I've barely had time to digest my turkey and BAM! Merry Christmas! I LOVE Christmas, the sparkle, the decorations, the food....but this year, I'm feeling lazy and tired, and NOT ready. It really did sneak up on me. It also seems as if retail is pushing the holidays earlier and earlier. Pushing when I'm not ready!! How dare they! This is definitely a love/hate stage with Margaret. One the one hand it is so fun. She's beginning to talk, walking everywhere, her personality is just blossoming, she's still sweet and snuggly....on the other hand she's a picky eater, wanting to feed herself, so she ends up wearing a yogurt sweater despite the bib, she's not always satisfied just sitting in the shopping cart at the store, and she wants my attention...constantly. I don't get much done while she's awake, and I try hard not to think about all I need and have to do while I spend time with her. I also know that time flies, and someday she'll be more into friends and boys than her Mama.
Also looming in the back of my mind are the disciplines I had at one time, that I've let go. I miss getting up really early and going for a run and still having time for my quiet time then a shower. I can't seem to get my tail in gear and at least wake up to do the ellyptical machine in the basement. I feel fat and unmotivated. Why is that? What is this all about? It's not even winter and the sun was out today. I have no excuse except that I'm tired and time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was so motivated to be fit and thought the feeling would last. It didn't. Baby number three came along and while 3 kids is special and glorious, it's also exhausting. I have no moral or A-ha moment to add to this blurb, nor am I seeking advice. Just blabbing about my blahs because I can and it's why I blog. I will end with this, I have been through enough seasons of life to know that they don't last forever. I'm so thankful that I know the Lord. Otherwise, I would never have this constant peace regardless of my circumstances or feelings for the moment. I would be a complete basket case. It is only because of God that I am whole!

What Is Fall?

BACK 2 SCHOOL TREATS

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PICS

SOCCER

CUTE CLOTHES

APPLE PICKING

PUMPKINS


FAMILY FUN

Being Sick Stinks!

We have all had this yucky crud for over a week. Chris has had an upper respiratory infection for over 2 weeks and just started his second round of antibiotics. I'm starting week 2 with my now full blown sinus infection. Margaret got sick this weekend with fever, cough, runny nose....Thatcher and Jack are both coughing...and you know what, BEING SICK STINKS!

All I want is a quick cure!!! The Dr. laughed at me when I said "I want to be better by tomorrow!" It's a total drag. Especially when you don't get the day or week off from being a mom and wife. You still have to get up and pour, wipe, or cook something!! Even more difficult to keep a sick baby happy and entertained when you feel just as bad!!

What I want to know is, why does one have to be weighed first thing at the Dr. when they already feel like DUMP! I left feeling worse just for stepping on the scale. I WAS still wearing tennis shoes and I'm sure they added a good 5-10-30 pounds to the overall weight...

The Holy Spirit is really good about turning my selfish thoughts around....even when I'm not ready.....and then I begin thinking of people who are chronicaly ill...or moms with fatal illnesses....how do they do it? Knowing there is no cure or relief this side of heaven. I guess the answer is to give what you have and let God cover the rest.

So, then the Holy Spirit slaps me on the back with an A-HA moment as I realize I should be living everyday like this. I know I'm not perfect, but there are times as a mom where I feel overwhelmed with responsibilites and wonder if I'm doing a good job....I get caught up in the "enough" syndrome...which is where I've been lately. Do we talk about God enough? Do we pray together enough? Are they disciplined enough? Do we play enough? Do we do ENOUGH?
and the answer is.........no...."But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. " 2 Corinthians 12:9

I love what God teaches me in my yuckiest moments. I don't LOVE the yucky moments, but sometimes they are so necessary for me to learn and grow. I still say being sick stinks, but luckily this sinus infection has temporarily robbed me of my sense of smell, so I can't smell the illness OR the dirty diapers!!!