A Work in Progress...

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:6

I am so thankful for this verse, as it reminds me that God never gives up on me. He continues to believe in me and work in me, no matter how many times I fail.

Being a mom is so much harder than I ever fathomed it would be. There are days when it seems I look at the clock every 10 minutes to see if it is over yet. There are days I feel like I could just tape record myself and put the recording on an endless loop, as I seem to have to repeat things so many times. There are many days when I wonder 'what was I thinking...what did I get myself into'.

But, fortunately, God continues to work in me. He continues to give me grace and patience. He reminds me that I, myself, have to hear things over and over and over before I 'get it' and obey.

Here are some things God is working on in my life. Some are going better than others, but all are a work in progress: (sorry, but this will be sort of a rambling of thoughts)

Finding joy in my role as a mom. Releasing the need for validation from places other than God and my family. Learning to be less selfish with 'my time' (ie Sage's naptime). Doing dinner prep during this time, so I can be freed up to focus on Regan when she gets home from school. Paying bills and organizing paperwork during this time so the 'pile' is staring at me the rest of the day and causing frustration. Doing a little bit of cleaning so the house isn't totally neglected. Spending less time at the computer while my children are eating breakfast and lunch. Spend more time interacting with them while we are eating breakfast and lunch. Minimizing the time the girls spend in front of the TV. Include the girls in making meals and baking and such instead of trying to find something to occupy them so I can do it myself. Pray for wisdom in discipline methods and patience and grace when executing them. Nurturing the 'I can do anything through Him who gives me strength' attitude.

I found a lot of encouraging words in this passage today:

Ephesians 5

¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. ⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^a]">[a] ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

May God continue to help me make the most of every opportunity with my girls and help me to be thankful for the chance to be the primary influence in their life, at least for a season.

My favorite thing...

Each night, after devotions, we ask the girls what their favorite part of the day was. It is always interesting to hear what they perceive as 'the best' part of the day. Sometimes it can by insanely funny, like Sage saying 'Trick or Treating' every night for about 5 weeks after Halloween was done. Other times, it can be outright frustrating. Like when you have made a point to plan a totally fun, kid oriented day and at the end of it they shrug their shoulders and say 'I don't know'. Or, it can be somewhat predictable. Like Regan, whose answer about 75% of the time is 'school'. When asked 'what about school', then we usually get the 'ummmm's' or 'I don't know'. :)

Well, tonight I took my turn sharing my favorite thing. Today, out of the blue, Sage wrapped her little arms around me as far as she could and said 'Your the bestest Mommy in the whole world'! How can that not melt your heart! It almost made me cry as I thought about this past week and how I haven't really felt like the 'bestest' mom in the world. I have been sick for a week and a half and my parenting has consisted mostly of television. My mood hasn't been the best, either, as I have battled headaches for most of those days and they tend to make me grouchy. It made me realize how unconditional their love is and how simple their minds are. What a blessing that they don't hold grudges and resentments and frustrations against us when we fall short of perfect as parents. If only I could learn how to do that with others.

Once again, I am left to learn life lessons.....from a three year old.

My Little Seamstress

A couple of the blogs I follow have been showing some hand embroidery projects and I was inspired to maybe give it try myself. I used to do a little bit of it when I was young, but have not tried anything in a long time. I was even encouraged by Shalae's post to maybe let Regan try her hand at it. When I found this book, unused, at our second hand toy store for $7, I was left without excuses!!

I had been working on a small project, teaching myself the 'chain' stitch (the M on the sample). Regan kept admiring it everytime she would see it. Finally, last night, I asked her if she would like to try sewing. Her eyes lit up! She even opted to skip out on watching 'Open Season' with Daddy and Sage, to keep sewing.

I drew the star out first and then knotted the thread and put it through the needle for her. I held the hoop and would flip it back and forth for her while she 'sewed'. I explained to her how you want to try and keep your stitches kind of small and sort of the same size. After she finished the star, she didn't want to stop! The triangle and rectangle she did completely on her own. I helped with the knotting and threading the needle, but she did the rest all herself!

When we do our devotions at night, we always ask the girls their favorite part of the day. Regan said hers was sewing. I think she has inherited some genes that have been passed down through many generations! ;)

My Baby is Three!

Well, somehow my little baby has turned three today! We had some fun conversations today while Regan was at school. I thought I would try my hand at posting them here!!

We celebrated on Saturday with our friends, the Kosters. Nothing fancy. Dinner and cake and ice cream. I took the girls to Sam's Club in the morning and let Sage pick her cake from the pre-made ones. She found a cute valentine's arrangement of a 5" cake and 10 cupcakes. The key selling point...each cupcake had a heart ring on it! Before we even left the store, the girls had deliberated who was getting what, depending on whether 'the boys' (AJ and Cam) wanted any!! lol!!

We then went to ToysRUs for a birthday crown, balloon and token for a free meal at Texas Roadhouse. Found a few bargains in the clearance stuff and picked up Outdoor Challenge for the Wii. We have been having a great time with the new Wii game. I has a mat that you put on the floor and you have to run, jump, paddle, etc, depending on what sport you are doing. Regan and I have aching calves!!

Today, we aren't doing anything fancy. I gave Sage a couple of small gifts this morning. Otherwise, it has been a pretty typical day. I am thankful she isn't old enough to expect anything too elaborate, as a cold has left my head throbbing and my energy pretty zapped for the last week! The girls haven't minded, as it has meant lots of TV time for them. They are currently watching 'Fraggle Rock' episodes that I bought Sage for her birthday. Brings back some childhood memories! :)

Happy Meals

Whoever chose the name for the kid's meals at McDonald's was very insightful. If you could have seen the two girls excitement when we told them we were going to 'old McDonald's' for dinner, you would know why I say that. We don't go out to eat that often, but it's fun to splurge once in a while and the joy on their faces was worth every penny. Chicken nuggets, apple slices, chocolate milk for Regan and apple juice for Sage...and two pink Hello Kitty watches was all it took to make their day. But who left the happiest of them all? Mommy, because I didn't have to cook dinner! lol!