SAME OL' SAME OL'

Hello Friend!

 

The weather (in our neck of the woods) has become, just straight up cold! It's very deceiving, it looks beautiful out there, the sun is shining, sky is blue, and then you take a step out and you realize, you've been duped. It feels like when you 'Push' a door that clearly says 'Pull' and people just watch your struggle. You know better, you are very capable of reading and yet you're a little upset no one bothered to stop you or warn you, yell out "PULL!" or in my case "Baby, it's cold outside!"

 

We did get out though. We had a fun little walk to the park with my parents.

 

I've been reading the book of Esther in my Bible. I've read it before, I know the story, so usually I just skip over it, I mean it's not like the story has changed...right? Something compelled me to read it again though. As I sat there and started a familiar story I realized...this book is GOOD! I mean like, I couldn't put it down good! I became enthralled with each person in the story, I imagined myself as each person and opened myself up even more to the words I was reading, the lessons I was being taught. 

 

I realize that things change...we change.  Sometimes we can pass something again and again. Sometimes we can do the same ol' same ol', but then something changes, we grow older, we grow a little wiser...whatever it is we evolve and so does our way of looking at things and doing things. It is not a whole new world, it is a whole new us. Our challenge is to open up to the changes inside of us or to continue on with the same ol' same ol'.

 

My kids are my living example of this. We've walked to the same park since they were born..since before they were born. It is the same park, nothing has changed, yet each time we visit, as they get older, it is different. Once they were carried or pushed in a stroller, now they are both walking, running, jumping there. They play differently, Lucia no longer just spectates, she is involved, she is playing like any other kid. Henry, no longer needing a hand, he is going down the big slide by himself, backwards, forwards, up the slide, down the slide. Same park, but they are not.

 

Today's Reflection:

 

There is a point in the book of Esther where Queen Esther is afraid of acting on behalf of her people threatened with destruction. She was not always a Queen, but God had evolved her into this position. She is asked the question,

"...who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14.

 

Who knows that God has not changed our view, our hearts, our minds, allowed us to grow for a reason?

SUPER BIRTHDAYS

Ahoy!

 

I'm still working on the greeting thing...

 

We celebrated this weekend. We celebrated hard! We celebrated so hard, there was chocolate on our faces, costume changes, full bellies, and singing...lot's of singing...one song in particular..."Happy Birthday". We're getting pretty good at it.

 

Two birthdays, very different, yet equally special went on in my family this weekend.

 

My Nephew, who is one of my favorite little guys in the 'under 5' category in the whole entire world, kicked off our celebrating with a 'Super' Birthday.  This was right up our alley, because Super Heroes, is Henry's world and he does  not miss an opportunity to flex his super powers.  I also love any opportunity to whip out costumes that first, make my daughter look ADORABLE, and second make my husband and I look silly!

The next birthday celebration was my sister-in-laws.  I think she was trying to sneak hers by, but lucky for her, some of us have memories like elephants, so forgetting is not happening! On her birthday we were treated to a hot-pot feast made by the Birthday girl herself. Yah...you heard me right...she cooked for us on her birthday! Can you believe that? She also let the boys blow out the candles for her...a task they graciously accepted...

And in the end we were all partied out and 10 lbs fatter. The good fat though...you know the cupcake and birthday cake and celebrating fat. The kind that sticks to your ribs.

 

Today's Reflection:

Such very different birthdays, such very different ways of celebrating. Yet, one similarity, both are special. Both are worthy of celebrating and rejoicing. Both came into this world, made by a loving God, who thought out every little cell and molecule, every bit of their personality, every hair on their head and created them wonderfully, fearfully.

 

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

-Psalm 139:13-15

 

It's more than enough to make you want to celebrate and sing and gain 10 pounds and poop yourself out rejoicing such marvelous works!

 

DOING THINGS...RESOLUTION THINGS

Should there be some formal greeting when I start these post? Sometimes I realize I just throw you in there, in the middle of a thought already in process. Should I say 'Hello'? I'm going to work on that....

Greetings and Salutations...

I've been thinking about my New Year Resolutions. I usually do the same thing every year, make a nice list of things, thinking '12 months...plenty of time!' and then by December 31st I'm asking Steve, 'Think we could tile a room this afternoon, and follow that with an intense guitar lesson, in which I will magically lose 15 pounds?' He usually isn't on board with that plan. So I guess in a way I can blame him for not accomplishing more...right?

I decided instead of looking at what I didn't accomplish, how about cutting myself a little slack and focusing on the resolutions that did happen.

1. I made a new friend - I actually think I can safely say I made a few. I didn't know how I would confirm this, but one of these new friends told me I could cross it off (thank you Jessica!). So there you go. I like this resolution so much I think I'll make it a yearly resolution. It's good for me to get in the habit of praying for my friends, long time friends, newer friends and friends to come! Plus it keeps me open to the idea that every person I encounter has the potential of becoming a friend. Nice right?

2. I started my Women's Bible Study back up - and I am reminded of a good lesson, I am not alone in my desire to have a deeper relationship with God! I am blessed that when I opened my home up and my heart, my girls were there!

3. I started a Prayer Board - and better yet, the hubs and I are actually getting better at  making sure we pray for the people and things on the prayer board! You can make a grocery list all you want, but you still have to go to the store to get the goods...catch my drift?

 

4. I had dates with my husband - although the goal to have at least one a month wasn't achieved, we tried and we are definitely getting better at realizing we need to take a break together. It's easy to forget that besides being 'Mommy' and 'Daddy' somewhere very deep down there 'Rena' and 'Steve-O' live and they want to hang out. Like for reals.

 

So I've yet to make a 2013 list...I've been thinking a lot about it, trying to include a couple I'll have fun accomplishing and also trying to listen to some resolutions God may have for me. Sometimes I cheat myself, by not putting anything 'too' tough on the list, sticking to the things I know will likely get done. You ever do that? While whining to my husband about how somethings just feel impossible to accomplish, he gave me a dose of reality...

 

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

-Philippians 4:13

 

I should not be relying on my own strength, when I am, things do feel impossible. When I let God in and rely on him, things suddenly take a turn, and I am reminded..."I can do all things"

 

Here's to doing things!!

 

And because I'd hate to leave you with only words, here are some glimpses at our Christmas Morning/Day, I never shared...

 

Keep on doing things friends...I'll catch you later!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year friends! So perhaps you've noticed I took a bit of a 'Holiday Hiatus'. I debated writing, updating you on the latest cookie making, gift wrapping, holiday partying adventures, but sometimes, it's nice to just enjoy moments as they come, enjoy the people you're with and reflect on it all later.  We've had such an amazing Holiday, we really tried to maximize the time we spent with our loved ones...

 

 

So with that dear friends, I am back, after a lovely little break, I am back to continue reflecting on the hijinks that this little family has.  Thank you so much for sticking with me and I hope you all are having a wonderful start to 2013!

 

Today's reflection:

I came across this scripture in a study yesterday:

 

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

-Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

 

I also like how it is written this way:

 

"Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!"

-Psalm 90:12 (The Message) 

 

I am always struggling on how to balance my time. Especially during the Holidays, it feels like we are torn between things. What do you say 'No' to, what do you let go of, to fit in all the extra stuff? I like this scripture reminding us that our days our numbered. I pray for God's wisdom on how I spend my time. Steve and I really tried to let go of a lot of things at the end of this year and focus on some of the people that are most important to us. This year I'd like to continue that. If my days are numbered, I want to make sure I am using them wisely, that they are spend for good and for love. 

 

BABIES

On Friday, I had planned on sharing these pictures..."Adventures of a young boy" I was going to call it. Pictures of my son, the quiet observer, lover of trains...

my little baby, who no longer feels hugs are required for Santa, just hand shakes and deals that he will be a good boy in exchange for a ninja turtle and a bad guy....

My little guy, who could not stop smiling and shouting 'Yee-haw...ride 'em cowboy' on the pony ride...

my sweetie pie, who falls into ponds while 'pretending to fish' but still keeps the smile on his face...

That's what I had planned on posting, and then I heard like many of you the horrible tragedies that took the life of too many, the awfulness that took away some body else's 'baby'. I couldn't bare to post, not while I knew there was another mother grieving over her baby. Like many of you I cried, I prayed, I asked God some questions, and then I sought him out.  I opened my bible and I looked for the comfort I needed, the promises I needed to hear.

 

Even now, I am relying on my faith and trust in God rather than my own understanding of the world. I know God is good. I know God loves us. I know that our sorrow is not ignored, as beautifully illustrated in scripture. Jesus feels our sorrow, and he weeps with us...

 

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept."

-John 11:33-35

 

I know he offers us refuge and comfort in times of trouble...

 

“…In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by”

-Psalm 57:1

and I know that in these times he in not absent, he is near...

 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

-Psalm 34:17

 

and when I got angry like I know some of you did too, I had to remember the God I love and know to be merciful, is also mighty and just and can handle evil far better than you and I could ever...

 

"God is jealous, and the Lord avenges;
The Lord avenges and is furious.
The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies;
 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.

The Lord has His way
In the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.
He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
The mountains quake before Him,
The hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence,
Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

Who can stand before His indignation?
And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?
His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him."

-Nahum 1:2-6

 

Things like this should not happen, it is not okay. Yet, when they do happen, I have to keep God's word close and trust that he will keep his promises. I hope that they find you and perhaps help you like they did me.

 

And so I am grateful for my children and family and friends. I did not think it was possible to hold my little loves any tighter but it is and I have doubled my daily kisses to my children, from 1 million to 2 million. I mourn the loss of the lives taken on friday and I appreciate the precious gifts that have been given to me.

APPLE TIME

You know when you say your going to do something, but you don't. Then you finally do and your so happy you did? Yeah...we did that. Over the weekend Steve and I finally took the kids to Apple Hill. I realize that it was a bit misleading to Henry, who I imagine thought we were actually taking him to a giant apple that was a hill. However, he was not at all disappointed when we got there. 

 

We usually have our whole posse in tow, my parents, my sister and her family, so it was nice to just take off with our little four. It's nice to get to focus in on my little loves. We let them run around, and drink hot chocolate and overload on apple sweetness!    

Today's Reflection:

Lord, thank you for leading us here. Sometimes we don't always take time for each other, but thank you for not letting too much time pass before days like this. During seasons of busyness, keep us focused on you and each other.  Thank you for days we can play together and laugh together. Thank you for days with ponds and hot chocolate, hugs and smiles. You are a good God!

 

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;  he’s the one who will keep you on track."

-Proverbs 3: 5-6