Wednesday, November 26, 2008

What to say?

I haven't blogged in awhile but I have been busy. But I still lay in bed thinking about things I should blog. Lets see. Where to start. Last weekend I did an FRG thing (Family Readiness Group) I am the leader and I LOVE IT. I love the people I am in contact with and the things I get to help them with. This being our 3 deployment and my hope in Christ I feel like I have been able to give hope to some of these people who struggle. Although thankfully we haven't had to many. But, I organized a packing party. We collected donations from schools, friends, family. And it was wonderful. I can't say enough about our families. The really stepped up. They were wonderful. The helped us decorate stockings for each and every soldier and they helped package and label all the boxes. I love my families. They are so great!!!
I also clean houses. I have had a busy week. I have cleaned 2 houses already this week and one thing I always love about cleaning other peoples houses is how much I love coming home. It makes me thankful for my non cluttered house and my lack of a big house. I just look and know that as wonderful it would be to go away for a day and come home to a cleaned house, I am glad that my house it so easy to up keep.
I also am so excited for tomorrow. I love Thanksgiving. NO presure. I love that. All the fun of family and friends and not all the work. I mean I love Christmas and the joy of giving gifts is wonderful but thanksgiving is just simple pleasures. Wonderful food, friends, family and Macy's parade, football. And also a reminder of all we have to be thankful for.
So HAPPY THANKGIVING to you all.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Lots of thoughts

It has been awhile and I have had lots of those "I should blog that" moments.
I have been thinking a lot about the holidays and how different they are going to be this year. Jim LOVES the holiday. He loves playing football on Thanksgiving and hanging out with family and friends. He LOVES everything about Christmas. The music (which we start listening to in October) and the tree, which he cuts down for me. The decorating, the lights, even santa. And on Christmas morning he is up before any of us. I just love that. So, this week I started listening to Christmas music. I started crying on "I'll be home for Christmas" I am missing my husband as this season starts and just hope that he is able to have a decent Christmas.
Anyway with all this thinking about Christmas I was thinking about what to get the kids. Now I am a big one in getting them things they will really like. This year is hard. Brayden doesn't have one toy that he absoultly loves. He pretends a lot and does crafts and we love books. Those are his things. So, I am thinking some sort of fort or something, and more craft stuff. He has found some train, plane things he thinks is cool so those are ideas as well. Riley well she does what brother does. But she does love her baby. I am thinking a tea set. (Her and I have tea when B is at school) and a shopping cart. I would get her clothes for her baby but she doesn't like to have them in clothes most of the time. Question for you, What do your kids just love doing?
I just got a call from a mom of a kid that Jim coached in high school, he also stayed with us on occasion and we just loved him. Well I guess he has joined the army and is heading off to boot camp and they wanted to invite us to his going away party. We chatted for awhile and I explained to her our situation and that Jim wouldn't be able to make it. Bless her heart she asked if she could pray for us and you know what is so cool? She did right then and there on the phone. It was the sweetest and most sincere prayer. I just love when God blesses me like that. And even prayed for something I didn't mention. Guidance in parenting.
That brings me to having a humbling moment. I am a doer. I tough it up and just deal. I don't spend a lot of time in self pity and as great as that is at times that isn't so good when you need to rely on God. I know this may sound weird but I rely more on God when Jim is away. It helps me remember that people will always fail me and God is always there. Now on to my moment. So, I have always felt like I was a good mommy. I love my kids more than life and love that I am blessed to stay home with them. I don't need a lot of time to myself, I just love being with my kids. But, parenting a four year boy is difficult. They do and say things that are just odd to me. And after a tryiing morning (following a great morning at hearts where we had a reminder of God our provider, I burst into tears and realized that I can't do this. I have to give my kids to God and I need his help in parenting with patience and Love. My greatest desire is that my kids know Christ deeply. So, I picked Brayden up from school and just felt refreshed. I apologized to Brayden for being short and for yelling lately. I have done really well the last couple of days. Thank you Lord for helping me.