It has been decided

For those of you who know me, know I adore my kids. I am not someone who needs to be away from them much. I just enjoy playing and being. School has been fun for Brayden and for me in the sense that I get time for Riley but I have always been anxious to get there to pick him up. And this year is going to be even harder because he will be gone from me ALL DAY!! Yes, that is right he is going to be in 1st grade. I am so excited to see what he will learn this year and the friendships he will make.
Then due to her brother being in school Riley had been asking to go to school. So we have her all signed up to go to two day preschool. They called today and said she was the only one signed up for the Wednesday/Friday class and would we be able to do Tuesday/Thursday. Well yes that would be fine. Even though I have not been excited about this from the start. She is only three and I love being with her. Well, I was talking to her and she was fine with the change. (doesn't really get it.) and then she said I will do preschool and hearts at home. (a mom and kid bible study) Well no you won't be able to do that if you are in school. Needless to say after talking with Jim and Riley we decided she is going to NOT go to school this year and do fun preschool stuff with me at home and do hearts at home and we are looking at a ballet class. I am thrilled. She can do school next year. But for now I get my baby home another year.

Books

I don't know if I have said this before, but I LOVE BOOKS. Children's are my favorite to buy. Since I teased my husband one day about his clothes addiction he has teased me about my book addiction. So, I have been doing really good about buying any books. I have bought two for myself and they were a dollar at a garage sale. We frequent the library quite a bit because I honestly don't like stuff and the more I buy the more stuff I have in my home. So, since he pointed that out I have been trying so hard not too. (Even though he was teasing)
My favorite author is Karen Kingsbury. A wonderful Christian author who writes fiction but does it in such a way that you are apart of the family and you desire to deepen your relationship with Christ. I also really like Francine Rivers who also challenges me.
I do read Christian parenting and marriage advice books and have read The Eldridges books on men and women and loved them. Love Dobson and all his books. Lehman is another one who is good and Jim and I really enjoyed "Love and Respect"
My only problem is that sometimes I end up more stressed about parenting and the scary stuff that is out there that I start to question everything I am doing. I feel like I have good kids. They aren't perfect but good. They both love the Lord and have asked him into their hearts. They wake up singing praise songs in the morning which just warms my heart. They seem to be kind to others from what I see. I know they are just on loan to me anyway but wow. Sometimes these books freak me out more than if I just kept loving them, teaching them about Jesus and praying fervently for them.
Am I they only one with this problem with "Help" books.

Friends

As I have said Jim is gone doing his army stuff and tonight a dear, yet new friend invited us over for super. You know those people whom you get around and leave wanting to be a better person. She is one of those people. I come home more patient with my kids, striving to be a better wife and woman of God.
I so desire to be that friend to others. You know the friend that asks you what has God been teaching you this summer and what are you doing with it. What are you going to do to grow through the year? Bible study groups, church activties. And you come away praying and thinking about those things that are so important. I love friends like that.
Thanks again God for the wonderful new friend I have.

Overwhelmed by God

A few weeks ago Pastor Steve spoke in church about places where you have been met by God. I have really been met by him in a creek on a big rock up past Detroit. I have been met by him other places as well but that one sticks out in my head. And then this morning. As I was sitting here in my recliner (I can call it mine cause Jim isn't home right now.) It happened again. I was reading in Mark. A rich young ruler came and wanted to follow Jesus and when he asked what he had to do Jesus said to sell everything and come. The rich young man couldn't do it, because of his wealth.

Jim and I do just fine financially. We aren't rich by any means but we do great for our family. I am able to stay home and aren't in need. Anyway, as I sat here looking out the window, watching the sprinkler and thinking about this. I was overwhelmed by how great God is and how he is an amazing creator. The ocean, the lakes the trees, the people. I am what I consider to be a simple person. I don't need or want much. Just time with my husband, kids, family and friends. And I have all that. God is so amazing.

I so love those moments. Have you had those before?

Thoughts

I have been reading a friend of mines blog and it made me think of a few things that are dear to my heart. She writes about decorating and her kids and her love of things southern. She posted the other day about little girls and ladies. I am always glad to hear that from other moms of girls.
I am not a girly girl. But I do feel like I dress reasonably. For sure modestly. I believe strongly in that. I also enjoy painting my daughters nails and have embraced the princess thing and all that comes with it. I also feel like I have good manners and was raised to be proper.
I so have a desire to raise a daughter that is femine and embraces that about her self. I want her to respect herself and others. I want her to be polite and just be a lady. I am encouraged by dobsons book on Bringing up girls. It is wonderful. I am really enjoying it. I am excited seeing how girls relationships with their fathers effects things. And just how letting them embrace the princess thing (within reason) is good. It will not hinder them as they grow and make them feel entitled.
So I am enjoying raising a little lady. I am hoping we are doing okay and that she will embrace it as she grows and she will be the woman of God that she was designed to be.

This is my beautiful little lady. Thank you to all the beautiful ladies in my life who have helped shape me along the way.
I will save my rant on what society has done to ladies another time.