A Morning of Worship!

After a long weekend in Tennessee and getting the girls back on their routine, I was able to resume my morning quiet time … after my 8 week old SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT last night, but that’s another post!!! :)

Anyway, I made my coffee and sat down to read a few chapters of Proverbs. I stopped at Proverbs 5:21 which states, “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.” My heart just has not been in the right place the last few weeks. I’m not sure what it was, but I would literally stand during worship at church and feel like I was totally out of my element and a bit disconnected. I was easily frustrated and completely discontent – I know I blogged about that a few weeks ago. When I got to Proverbs 5:21 this morning, I just stopped. God sees me even when my heart isn’t in the right place. He examines my heart and he probably knows it better than I do. My mind was immediately flooded with this amazing song they sang at a church we visited with Lance and Lauren a few weeks ago. It’s called, I’ll Stand with Arms High by Hillsong. It’s an AMAZING song! I quickly went to youtube and put the song on repeat. There’s something about music that just stirs my soul. It gives me a refreshing feeling that nothing else really can – especially when it’s worship music. There is no coincidence in that – it’s truly GOD!

I am putting the song here on my blog incase you want to listen. The video looks like it’s from the early 90’s, but the song is SO GOOD!! It you want to be empowered and feel the presence of God, please listen. It is my prayer that He will speak to you in amazing ways! At about 2 minutes and 40 seconds the music picks up for the bridge (the most powerful part of a song in my opinion!). It slows down and picks up again. Close your eyes and let it move your heart. There’s no other feeling like it.

 

 

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours!

We’re ROLLING!!!

Yesterday after nursing Finley I put her down on her tummy time mat to play on her TUMMY. She typically spends a few minutes playing there after every feed and she works and works on her neck strength. Well, yesterday, I put her down to play with CB and went to do some dishes. About 5 minutes later I went to check on the girls and found Finley laying on her back. I stopped for a second and thought really hard about whether I left her there laying on her back or her tummy. I knew for sure I laid her on her tummy. So, I asked Cori if she had rolled her sister over, to which she responded that she did not. Hmmm… I thought.

I put Finley back on her tummy and within seconds that little girl rolled over to her back! I couldn’t believe it! I thought it might be a fluke so I put her on her tummy again and broke out the video camera. Low and behold, we now have it on video!! I was so excited, I called to let David know, to which he responded that he’d seen her do that a few days ago. WHAT?!?! Since yesterday was my first time witnessing this, I’m marking the calendar – on August 22, 2011 my sweet girl rolled from front to back at 7 weeks 3 days old!! What a big girl!!

 

Sweet sisters hanging out together on the tummy time mat

 

Finley after rolling over!!! Go girl!

First Day of School

Today would have been the start of my 7th year in the classroom. Can you believe that? Time flies. The students I taught my very first year are now entering HIGH SCHOOL! AH, I can’t believe it! It makes me feel SO old!!

So, as school began this year, I decided I’d start a little schooling here at home. Cori and I do Tot School off and on. We were a lot more regular before Finley was born, but then mommy hit survival mode! It’s starting to calm down a little bit around here as Finley gets a bit older and is on more of a schedule. So, I decided today we would have our very own “first day of school.” My goal is to actually get some plans done for Tot School this year so we can maintain more of a schedule as the year progresses. We are going to have so much fun!

This morning we sang songs at breakfast and read a bible story. Then, we got CB dressed for the day and took her “first day of school” picture! SO cute!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was reflecting on my “Morning Meeting” time from when I taught kindergarten to see what elements my almost 20-month old could grasp. I decided on weather. So, this morning our first school related activity was making weather cards. I think they turned out really cute!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today in Gainesville, the weather was SUNNY and HOT!

 

Then, we moved on to our first Tot Tray – Jumbles! I just bought these from the Home Goods store over the weekend and knew Cori would love them! She sure did! We counted with them and built with them today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent about 45 minutes together and Cori had such a great time! I LOVE spending time learning with my little girl. Can’t wait for school time tomorrow!

Until next time…

You’re Gonna Miss This

David came home from work yesterday and said I had to sit down at the computer and watch something. He pulled up the video of Trace Adkins song, You’re Gonna Miss This. As soon as he typed it into the search bar, I said, “I’ve heard this song before.” And he said, “Yeah, but have you seen the video? Have you ever let the words to this song soak in before?” As soon as the video started, I could feel the tears starting to well up. I could picture myself in each verse, see my children in each verse, and all I could think was, “You’re so right … I am going to miss this.” You see, I’ve been struggling a lot with contentment. The house isn’t big enough, clean enough, organized enough, decorated the way I want it to be, etc, etc. There’s laundry to do, floors to clean, toys to put away, a dog to walk, mouths to feed, etc, etc. But one day I’m going to look back on my life in this 2 bedroom condo that we moved into the week after we got married and I’m going to miss it. There are so many memories here. It’s where we started our married life. It’s where we started our careers. It’s where we started our family. It’s the only home my two children know. And it’s not perfect, but it works, and it’s great. I am blessed beyond measure and I need that reminder every once in a while.

 

She was staring out that window, of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

 

 

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her It's a nice place
She says It'll do for now
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby just slow down

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

 

 

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says they don't bother me
I've got 2 babies of my own
One's 36, one's 23
Huh, it's hard to believe

But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

 

 

 

You're gonna miss this
Yeah, you're gonna miss this

28 is oh so GREAT!

Well, on August 11th, I turned 28! Hard to believe 28 years have gone by and I’m now a wife of 5 years and a momma of 2 girls. Wow! Where does the time go, seriously?!?! My birthday started out with flowers (yellow, my favorite accent color), a sweet card from my hubby, and time with my amazing family of 4! David had the morning off and we got to have lunch together before he headed into work. And, where do you think we went?? MOES!! They give you free lunch on your birthday! Score!!

 

Unfortunately, David had to work from 1pm Thursday until Friday morning at 6am. Tis the life of a resident! I, on the other hand, got to hang out with my BFF Kristy, whose birthday is on the 12th, and all of our friends! Since Kristy turned 30 this year, we decided to throw ourselves a joint birthday party at her house! We themed it a “Little Black Dress” party (although I decided to wear blue!) and everyone got dressed up and accessorized with nothing other than Premier Jewelry!!! It was SO much fun!! We had cupcakes, cake pops, buffalo dip, cherry limeade, and chocolate wine. Oh, and did I mention a tough game of charades?!? Kristy put up pictures of us around her house for the party and boy, did we look YOUNG in one of them! Oh, how the years go by! Kristy and I celebrate our birthdays together every year and it’s always something I look forward to! Here are a few pictures from our party!

 

Cupcakes and Cake Pops – YUM!

 

The birthday girls!! Think we could be sisters? YES!

 

The picture to the left is the one I was talking about where we look SOOOOO young!!

 

Stephanie, Jess, Laura, & Carrie munching on Cake Pops!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah used Elin as a prop in Charades and Carrie was trying to get everyone to guess, “Karaoke Night”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finley wore her little black dress too, but she was NOT happy in this picture!! She was hungry!! … Thankfully, Evie came to the rescue and fed her a bottle!

 

Jen, me and Em – my playgroup friends (minus Julie!!) Jen is pregnant with #2 and I’m so excited to expand our playgroup!!

 

me and Hannah – Hannah is a first year resident in peds who just moved here! She is so sweet! I’m so glad she got to party with us!

 

A serious picture and a fun picture! Remember those?!? In the fun picture everyone was pointing to the “birthday girls.” It was SO MUCH FUN!!!

Another birthday tradition of mine is eating at the Melting Pot. I LOVE cheese fondue and the whole experience of that delicious restaurant!! So, on Friday night, Dave and I got dressed up and made the drive to Ocala to fulfill my birthday wishes. Mmmm, heaven! :) Not only was it heaven to eat there, but it was heaven spending time with JUST David. It was our first night out together without the kids since Finley was born!!

 

I also got a special surprise for my birthday… a new laptop!! I have been needing a new laptop for sometime now, especially with all the work I do with Premier. It’s been a good month so far with jewelry sales – so good that we had a little extra cash for me to get a laptop! Thank you Premier Designs Jewelry! I LOVE my job!!

28 is going to be a GREAT year! How can it not be, considering eight and great rhyme?! HA! Thanks to everyone who called, texted, FB messaged, and sent cards. Ya’ll are truly amazing!

Oh PRAISE Him!

We have the same routine every morning. Finley wakes up around 6 to nurse, then goes back to sleep. I have some quiet time (or go back to sleep – depending how the night went) and Cori wakes around 8. I walk into her room every morning and switch her lullaby CD off and turn the Joy FM on. I change her, get her a cup of milk, make her breakfast, and sit down at the table with her to eat. During breakfast, we always dance. We sway back and forth as the Christian radio station fills our house and I pray she gets a little closer to Jesus each morning.

This morning as our routine unfolded, David Crowder’s, Oh Praise Him came on the radio. Cori started swaying and then all the sudden lifted her hands high as if she was truly praising Jesus. David and I aren’t the hand raising kind during worship, not to say that we wouldn’t if we really felt the spirit moving in us. But this morning, Cori was feeling the spirit!

 

Child-like faith is truly amazing. Cori asks to pray before every meal and before she goes to sleep each night. Actually, she asks to pray all throughout the day and always makes sure we pray for daddy and baby. She clasps her hands together and bows her head. She chooses her bible to read each night over any other book in the house – and believe me, we’ve got A LOT! She sees my bible on the counter every morning when she gets up and if I don’t finish my quiet time before she gets up, sometimes I will read to her during breakfast. She knows without a doubt that I’m reading about Jesus. She LOVES the song about Zacchaeus and Jesus Loves Me. When she is disobedient and is disciplined, she asks to pray afterward. If only we could all have faith like a child.

Train up and child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

What I love about you … week 5 & 6

I LOVE…

• The sweet cooing sounds you make. You sure are a talker these days! It’s music to my ears!
• The way you look up at me while you are nursing. It melts my heart.
• Hearing your sister say “bless you” when you sneeze, and you sneeze A LOT!! Here’s one coming…

• Your strength. You are just as strong as your sister was when she was little. You are always picking your head up to look around! And, when you’re on your tummy time mat, it seems as if you are doing push-ups!!! Working on those arm muscles already! :)

• Your sweet smell after a bath. And, that bath time seems to be relaxing for you.
• Those sweet feet!

• Trying out the bumbo seat. You watched your first episode of Cat and the Hat with your sister!

• Swaddling you! Works like a charm!!

• That your eyelashes get longer and more beautiful by the day!
• Seeing you smile!!! When I get real close to your face and talk to you in a sweet voice, your little face lights up! My heart skips a beat just thinking about it!

• That I fall more in love with you EVERYDAY! … check out that double chin! HA! Don’t worry Fin, it’s just the way you are sitting!

 

Dear Sweet Finley,

I was reading my blog book from last year and saw that Cori was sleeping through the night by 8 weeks – going to bed around 9/10 pm and waking around 7/8 am. You have 2 more weeks to get your sleep routine up to par! :) I LOVE you!!

Love,

Mommy

Jewelry Queen

The other day CB got into what used to be my jewelry box. Since I now sell Premier, I have so much more jewelry and have to store it in my closet. Under my sink, I still have all my “costume” jewelry. Ya know, the kind that looks really pretty, but doesn’t hold up too well! :) High Fashion Jewelry is so much better!! Especially when it’s Premier!! But anyway. Enough with the sales pitch. HA! Here are those cute pictures of my little girl .. the jewelry queen! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was working so hard to get that turquoise necklace together. Now that necklace isn’t costume jewelry. My college roommate actually made that necklace for me and it’s an all time favorite of mine!! Hope you think these pictures are as cute as I do!! :)

A Morning of Prayer

Dear Lord,

We prayed for Finley to sleep last night and you answered us. Not only did you answer our prayer, but you gave us more than we asked. Eph. 3:20 speaks out to me. Thank you. Because of my sleep, I feel restored this morning and was able to get up early like the woman in Proverbs 31 to spend time in your word and pray. Thank you. I am writing my morning prayer on my blog to publicly say that I am so grateful for you, Lord. You have such wonderful and great plans for us, Lord, if only we are obedient to you. Your ways are so much better than ours and for that I am thankful to be a Christ follower. You see, as I read Exodus and the story of Moses, I am reminded just how important our obedience to you really is. How fulfilled can our lives really be if we turn our back on you? It’s only when we walk in true obedience to you can you give us MORE than we ever imagined or dreamed possible. Pastor Max talked this weekend about Faith without Faithfulness and how that just doesn’t work. I do have faith in you, Lord. And, pray that I am living out that Faith with the utmost of Faithfulness in my life’s choices and actions. Little eyes are watching me, Lord. Big eyes are watching me too as I think about the rest of David and I’s family and I just want to be a shining example of you, Lord. Build into me Lord as I build into you.

Thank you for my precious girls, Lord. May they grow to know you. For Cori, I am praying Proverbs 3:5-6 over her : “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” For Finley, I am praying Psalm 32:8 over her : “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” … Lord, these children are your children. I know you have a purposeful life for them and I pray that they wake up and choose you everyday of their life.

Thank you for my sweet husband, Lord. He leads our family joyfully with you in the center of his heart. I couldn’t ask for more. Help me to be a respectful and loving wife all the days of my life. Proverbs 31:11-12 states, “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing in value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Do not let my flesh get in the way of me choosing to live by this verse everyday.

As the quiet drifts away and the noise of the day begins, help me to be like Christ as I go about my day. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be on my lips. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1,3

Amen.

New Born Pictures!!!

Finley’s new born pictures are finally in!! She was one week old when these pictures were taken.

Today is August 1st. Exactly one month ago on July 1st we welcomed Miss. Finley into the world. Two children has definitely been an adjustment to say the least. I’m just gonna put it bluntly – it’s HARD!!! But looking at these sweet pictures reminds me just how beautiful my family is and how truly thankful I am. Enjoy!