Baby you can drive my car...

The best thing (for my kids, anyway) about shopping at Sam's Club is the BOXES.  We generally take 2 boxes every time we go.  And now Lexi can't stop talking about what we are going to do with box before we even make it out of the store.  We have made elevators, restaurants, stores, etc...but this week here is what Lexi wanted to make:

That is right, a sweet little coupe.  You can't see it, but there is a sticker in the middle of the steering wheel - she says it is the horn.  Also, the inside is completely decorated with yellow, green, and pink stickers.  Max loved it, as well.  He even took Elmo for a cruise around the living room.  This beautiful brown masterpiece is now parked in Lexi's bedroom...who knows for how long. 


In other news, we are selling our car.  It is fun to drive, and my hubby loves it, but we need something a little more practical for 2 reasons.  1.  Rear wheel drive + winter roads + one scaredy cat Michelle = disaster.  2.  I would like something that has some extra seats in case we want to take other kids with us, other family members, etc.  So if you are in the market for a family sports car here it is:

Enjoying all our vehicles,
M

Following God's plan for division

Earlier this week I learned of some division going on in a local church.  There is much mourning, strife, and concern among all its members and attendants about the changes or lack of being made.  After discussing this with friends, I came home and got to work on my Bible in a Year assignment. ( I am 2 months behind! YIKES!)

My passage that day was about two kings and the division of Israel.  One faction wanted a lesser burden placed up on them, and the other refused - even though wise council advised lightening the load.  The entire chapter, 1 Kings 12, reminded me of this local church's struggles.  But it was God's will to divide the Israelis under these kings.  He wanted a division among them to fulfill another one of his purposes/plans. 

All of this got me thinking about our personal situations.  Have you ever had a friend drift away?  Or a parent/sibling/family member cut themselves out of your life?  Or have you had someone close to you that just continued to make wrong decision after wrong decision and you knew you just had to take a step back?  I found comfort in knowing that some of these are God's will.  He has something else planned for us, or for them, that cannot be completed without the division.  So if you are struggling with this type of situation, take comfort.  God is with you!  "'For I know the plans I have for you,'says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.  God has a plan for you.  We don't always know the plan, but if we search our pasts we can see how certain paths that were difficult to take/follow at the time have led us to exactly the right place!

Thanking God for the separations he has blessed me with,
M

Blessings in family

I am blessed.  Not only am I blessed with an amazing husband and two gorgeous, loving, smart kiddos; but I am so blessed with extended family. 

I have 3 beautiful sisters that are funny and intelligent and always here for me.  In addition to my sweet sisters, I have 3 amazing sisters-in-law.  They are so good at making me feel like I can count on them for anything.  On top of my siblings, I am blessed with fabulous parents who are supportive and loving.  And it is true, that I have THE most incredible grandparents on this planet.  There are more...aunts, uncles, cousins, but today I am giving thanks for our extended immediate families.

I pray that I can be a blessing to all of my family members as they have blessed me.


Everyday I am going to try to record the blessings of that day.  All too often we focus on the worries of the world, and let that weigh us down.  We need to be buoyant in Christ.  One sure way to do that is to count our blessings and give God thanks and praise.  Wanna' try it with me?  I am going to use a little 5-star pocket notebook, keep it by my bed with a pencil and scribble away before bed.

What better way to lull yourself to sleep than with the peace of all the good things in your life.  Maybe I put a few on here once a week.











Blessed,
M

Books books books

I love books.  I love them too much.  When I start reading, I become compulsive.  I can't stop!  It really reeks havoc on my cleaning, parenting, wifing, etc.  I try to just read them when I am at the gym, or after my kiddos go to bed.  But...sometimes I just can't seem to stop; I have to know what happens next, and next, and next.

This compulsion is NOT something new.  I have always been pretty passionate about reading.  I can remember several times waiting in  a dr.'s room and reading the backs of medical bottles, ingredients on my gum/candy packs, etc.  I would read just about anything.  I guess it would be more appropriate to say that I have a passion for words.  (For those of you who know me, this should not come as surprise! ha!)

I find something so completely satisfying about reading words that someone else put together and seeing the pictures in my head that those words create.  Gobs of movies are based on books...and I always wonder if the screenwriters are really translating their experience with a book through their script, or if they are just commercializing it.  I would love to be a screenwriter.  Ha...I am sure there are a lot of those in the mid-west. : )  But, the truth is I would be a lousy screenwriter, my movies would be 12 hours long!!

All that being said:  Am I the only compulsive reader among mothers?  I sometimes feel like I am.  Is there anyone out there that enjoys reading more than just about any other hobby or time-waster?  If so...got any book recommendations? : )

loving words,
M

the way of the future

We have acquired an ipad.  I have an Android phone ordered and it should arrive any day.

I have NO idea what I am doing!  I am NOT a tech person, I need a lot of instruction.  BUT, today I did download a few "apps" on the ipad and let Lexi and Max play some pre-school games.  The were naturals.  They are genius babies, seriously.  Not only do they "get" how to use the iPad, they were killing the letter games I downloaded.  (One more argument for me keeping the iPad and getting a cheaper one for the hubs?)

Now, lets just see how I do with the Android phone...only time will tell.  Can you blog from your phone?  Maybe I will try that.

Loving this high tech world,
M

Just breathe

I am a nervous worrier - I have to tell myself all the time to relax, just breathe.  Just breathe.  Take a breathe.
This character flaw/trait would be why I am CONSTANTLY reading Philippians 4:6-8.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right and pure and lively and admirable.  Think about things that are worthy of praise." NLT

And twice in the past 4 months I have had to say the same to my baby boy...Just Breathe...but for a whole different reason.

Max has had Croup twice in 4 months.  So the Dr. thought we should purchase a nebulizer and some meds just in case this happens again.  I am glad he did, as this is a much less expensive route than a trip to the ER every time!  But how nerve racking to have to be the nurse!  OK, OK, for those of you who know me, I love "nursing."  I love helping people feel better, and I LOVE looking at gross and disgusting wounds and fixing them up...I have a problem. : )  But still, when it comes to breathing - a live or die human action - I get a little nervous.  Prayers for proper administration - or rather, prayers for NOT having to use it at all, but if need be, then proper administration, and successful results.

But, the little guy is feeling fine now!  So hopefully this will not be necessary any time soon.

The weather has been so gorgeous lately, it has been hard to be cooped up in the house.  But before this little bout with croup we had a fun time with some cousins:

So glad that my kiddos have a ton of cousins that they adore.  God has truly blessed us.


Appreciating my lungs,
M

Do you ever get the feeling...

Do you ever get the feeling that you could do SO much more than you are doing?  I do NOT mean more laundry, more dishes, more cooking, cleaning, etc.  I mean more intellectually or creatively.  In the last year, I have been struck several times with the idea that I should/could be doing more...following a dream.

I have a lot on my plate already (kids, husband, bookkeeping for our small business, maintaining a social life), but I just feel like I have been lazy about pursuing some dream.  This may sound silly, but I have ALWAYS wanted to sing.  Be a singer, be known for singing...be FAMOUS for singing!  Haha.  I realize at this point in my life, that is probably NOT going to happen.  I suppose I could record a video, throw it up on Youtube and watch the world view it only to mock a 31 year old wannabe.  This is just not going to happen...But I have had other dreams, ones that are probably more attainable.

I love to write.  It comes easy to me, it is enjoyable, and it is incredibly freeing.  You can say so much more when you are writing.  There is no emotion to choke your sentence short, or interruption from another party.  (unless you count my kids who have interrupted me writing this blog 4 times now.)  What is God's plan for me?  Is there something I could be doing with this desire?  Is there a purpose?  I am praying for God to show me a direction.  I am begging for Him to guide me, to support me, and to inspire me in the way He wants me to go.  For instance, what should I write about?  What forum should I write in?  How much of my time should be dedicated to this desire?

I ask the few readers of this blog to pray for this.  I know it is little and insignificant compared to the much more intense problems of those reading this and those we are already praying for.

On a side note:  Here are the 2 cuties that take up most of my time!

Lexi taking our new "hog" for a spin.

Best dressed bad dude in town.

Checking out some antique tractors and equipment.

My brave chick on the Ferris Wheel...the girl loves a thrill.

Riding the roller coaster at a local carnival.  Max kept sliding down...a little scary.

enjoying the thrill of the unknown,
M