Friday Fam...... Our week

Remember this chair? This week has sort of slipped by for me, because I have spent most every minute of every day in that chair. I am so thankful for my mom, who has come over to help hold Hudson so I could get some things done, and she helped to get some of the clutter picked up. Thanks, Mama!

Hudson is starting to feel better, though nights are still hard and he still has some congestion and coughing. Hopefully in a few more days we will all be free from illness and we'll all feel good for the first time since Christmas! We've had a little break from the frigid weather (it got up to 40, I think, yesterday, which is about 40 degrees higher than it's been), so we've been able to breath a bit.

I hope you have had a good week!

Wednesday..... Right now...

A break from Wednesday Web, because my day is consumed with right now...

cuddling: a sick baby boy

nursing: a sick baby boy and his sister who has done a very good job of entertaining herself but still needs some moments with Mama

rubbing: my feet together trying to get them to finally warm up

dreaming: of snow melting and soil warming and seeds that are beckoning to go into the ground

smiling: at my little guy who, though he feels miserable, still wants to laugh at his sister

loving: this cuddly, snuggly, comforty, healing moment here right now

Tuesday Truth

I meant to post the recipes that my friend Jessie asked about yesterday, but I ended up holding and rocking and nursing Hudson for about 10 hours straight and didn't get anything done. He and Libby both have had runny noses and coughs, but Hudson's turned infectiony and he had a fever and wanted nothing but Mama. So, I will get to the recipes soon (sorry, Jessie!).

Now, for some truth!

Excerpt from Daily Wisdom for Mothers:

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life.'"
John 14:6

Do you ever get lost? I am what you might call "directionally challenged." My children think it's pretty funny, seeing their old mom talking to herself in the front seat, repeating directions in chantlike manner, and praying quite a lot. Still, it seems that no matter how I try, I get lost on a regular basis. Of course, in my defense, Texas is a big place, and you can never return the same way you arrived. It's never a matter of simply reversing the directions.

Getting lost used to really frustrate and frighten me. Now, I consider it more of a fun adventure. I find that something good usually comes from it. For example, recently when I lost my way, I discovered this great garden shop with the most beautiful iron bench. Now that bench adorns our yard - it was meant to be! Other times, these extended trips in the SUV give us more family time - precious moments to laugh and share.

You see, it's all in the perspective. I no longer worry when I'm lost. I just enjoy the journey. Life is the same way. There's no sense worrying your way through each day - just enjoy the trip. After all, if we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we're on the right road because He is the Way!

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Boy, this really spoke to me. I am not a good passenger when I get lost. I get impatient and I get snippy and I just want to get back on track. It is especially annoying that my husband thinks it's funny if we get lost.

When I really think about it, this is true even in our everyday lives. My husband is the one who is cool as a cucumber, and I am, well, the opposite of that. I get stressed out when my day doesn't go as planned, when the house is messy, and when the kids are grumpy (so, I have basically been stressed since before Christmas). I have been really trying, on this renewal journey, to focus on life, on my children, on my husband, and on Jesus (and, of course, on me!). After all, He is the way and the truth and the life. And, oh, the life that he gives is so sweet, isn't it? It is so sweet, when you allow Him to make it be.

I encourage you today, to go to Him, and see what He can do in your life.

Be still, enjoy today, and be renewed!


Oh, and my blog is being featured over on Crunchy Mama's blog today. I couldn't get the link to work right, so I'll just post the address here: http://www.crunchymama.co.uk
Go over and check it out! It's the second one down.
(Okay, I can't even get that to work. I guess her site is having some trouble. Try it, and if it doesn't work, try it again later.)

Monday Menu

Once again, cinnamon rolls and milk have nothing to do with this week's menu, but, they're oh so yummy!

I have to say that last week went very well. Scott was home several days for delays and classes canceled, and those days are always a bit off (in a good way! we love having Daddy home). So, not every day went quite as planned, but overall it went well. I stuck to the menu except for a few days when we celebrated Hudson's birthday (though those days were still home cooked meals at my mother's house). Thanks for taking this renewal journey with me! I hope you are getting a bit of renewal yourself!

So, here we are:

Monday: Marriage Monday
Tuesday: Split pea and potato soup w/ warm homemade bread
Wednesday: Chili casserole
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Cheeseburger soup
Saturday: Laura's casserole
Sunday: Leftovers

Again, if anyone wants recipes for any of these meals, I'll be happy to share! Just leave me a comment specifying which meal!

Have a wonderful week, my friends. Go and be renewed!

Friday Fam.... A week in our home

We have had some very very cold weather this week, including below zero temps. Libby still wanted to go outside, though, so a very good friend of mine came over with her two girls, and the two older girls went out to play in the snow (Hudson and I were out there, too, but he was on my back). Once they were chilled to the bone (which didn't take very long) we all came inside and the girls warmed up under a blanket. I find it very comical to see pictures of Libby and Mallie together, because though Mallie is so much taller than Libby, she's only 3 months older.
And today we went to see our wonderful chiropractor, Dr. Letty. This is a monthly thing, and Libby does really well. Hudson still cries, but he'll get used to it. Our visits to Dr. Letty are life savers, because by the time that four weeks roll around, boy we all need it.



Have a great weekend! Try to stay warm, and if you live in warm weather, I wish I was there!

Thursday.... uh.....

Well, it happened. My baby boy is a year old. I have spent the day remembering that snowy day a year ago when my fair headed boy was gently breathed into our lives. A year later, he is the family clown, the hot tempered boy, and the joy in all of our hearts. He adores his sister, adores hitting his sister, and stops whatever he's doing (even if he's nursing) to crawl over to meet her at the bottom of the steps when she wakes from her nap. Happy birthday, big boy! You are so very loved.

Wednesday Web

For my very first Wednesday Web, I'm going to talk about Mothering Magazine's website. I receive the magazine in the mail, and am signed up to receive weekly emails from Mothering as well, but the website itself is full of interesting articles regarding all aspects of natural living and attachment parenting.

There is also a discussion board where people go to discuss a full range of things from parenting to gardening to living off the grid to spirituality and anything you can imagine in between. You have to have an account to post your own questions or responses to others' questions, but anyone can go to the discussion board and read what other people are saying.

So go, check out their website. If you are interested in reading any of the discussions, click on the "discuss" link on the left of the banner on the top of the page.

Happy reading! Take a moment, take a breath, and be renewed!