Brotherly Love

A true story from last weekend:
Sister was having a bath and even though Daddy was right there, she slipped and started bleeding from the mouth. Sportster was upstairs and was looking in on her and saw the blood all over and her crying and came running down the stairs to get me. I ran upstairs to comfort her and as we were getting her all cleaned up he was at her doorway crying for her to be better and asking us if she was going to be okay. He was actually more upset by the whole incident than she was. He surely loves his little sister! It was a good illustration to me, too, of brotherly love and I was challenged with the question of how upset I get over the pain someone I love is experiencing. It was a good reminder from my son. I'm pretty sure my kids are teaching me more than I am teaching them.

Contentment, not resentment

I realized today I'm having a little trouble with having a heart of thankfulness. Okay, I'll be honest. I've been feeling like a bit of an underpaid maid these days and it is easy to focus on all the labor of motherhood and forget about the joy of it. Anyway, I was convicted today that it is only because of God's extreme blessing that I am able to be a mom to three precious kiddos. I need to make a choice to give thanks for His good provisions for my life and for my family as well as the struggles that He allows to mold my heart to be more like Christ. So, here are a few things I am giving thanks for, TODAY:
- God's grace that covers me and makes up for all the ways I fall short as a mom, wife, friend, and every other role I have.
- My little Sportster who is always asking "why". I am thankful he is trying to figure out the world around him.
- That Sister is finally on board with potty-training and healthy again after a recent flu bug.
- That Smiley is starting to sleep better again. He is a delightfully easy-going baby.
- That I have the privilege of staying home with my kids every day and witnessing their finest moments, comforting them through disappointment, and making home a place they like to be.
- God's word. I'm so excited to be beginning a study with other women on Galatians! Already just from the introduction, I just feel this could be life-changing.
- That my kids love each other and although they sometimes fight, they are genuinely concerned for one another.
- For a husband who supports me and rejoices with me on the good days of parenting and encourages me on the not-as-good days.
- For a church family that is feeling more like "home" all the time.

Thank you, God, for the life you have given me! I pray I would live it well for Your glory!

Moments to Remember

A picture of Smiley at 7 months. Where is the time going?!! We thank God for this jolly little boy! Now if only we could convince him to sleep the whole night through and eat solid foods!

Sometimes kids say the sweetest things and just so quickly remind you of your purpose in parenting. Today I was talking to Joy and asked her, "Why do I take care of you?" Her reply was, "Because I'm your precious girl." Sweet and true, indeed.

Simple Totes

With Christmas over for another year and the weather in Colorado so conducive to being a homebody right now, I was ready for a little crafting time. I love little projects that are easy enough for me to complete while my kiddos are napping. I found some napkins really cheap on clearance and decided to whip up some little tote bags because I'm tired of the number of plastic shopping bags entering our household on a weekly basis. I may make a few more from retired kitchen towels, too. So, here's to shopping a little greener....now if I can just remember to grab them before leaving the house.

First Post

Welcome to my blog! In this place I hope to post some insights from my life and ideas for making the most of my life as a mom, wife, homemaker, friend, and child of God.