Monday, February 15, 2010

Valentines Day

I'll be honest and say that I don't usually make a big deal out of Valentines day. Its really not that big of a deal to me. And it most certainly its not a big deal to Casey.  As long as my birthday, which is a week before, doesn't get overlooked, I don't really care so much. I had no expectations this year. Really!! I know, I know, its not like me. All I really wanted was to spend time with my boys and maybe get a nap in. Yea!! I got both. I was also very pleasantly surprised by my husband with a new camera. It was a combination gift. I think perhaps I made him feel a little guilty about not getting me a present on my birthday and this was his way of making up for it. I am thrilled!!

Soon you will all be blessed with the fruits of this lovely gift. Although I am still trying to figure out how to use all of the functions. I am already so happy with the quality of pictures it takes.

We also got one more out of this world gift, but that will be blogged about another day :)

Monday, February 8, 2010

A Lesson in Expectations

I will be the first to admit that I am often guilty of having unreasonable expectations. I expect behavior from my children that I do not get. I expect things out of my husband that are not fulfilled. I easily get depressed by being disappointed that things don't go my way.

So, where does the problem lay?? Is it in the other people not living up to my expectations? Is it in having the expectations in the first place? Or is it because I'm not allowing God to fully captivate my heart?

In my own selfishness I want to blame others for my disappointment. Why can't they just do what I want? Why do I have to tell them exactly what to do?  Don't they already know what I expect?

Once I get past this, I am more willing to lay the blame on myself. I know that if I expect something I need to express it. I shouldn't expect my husband to do the laundry if I haven't asked him to. I should expect him to know the boys routine and how I do things during the day if I don't tell him what we do. It truly is not his fault, it is my own.

The last one is a bit harder. I think it hits closer to home than I would like to admit. If God is not fully captivating my heart than the way I react is going to be sinful. I am a sinful person and my reactions to circumstances is often sinful. I have worked hard to change myself, unsuccessfully. What a blessing it is to know that I don't have to be the one to change myself. Don't misunderstand, change needs to happen and that change needs to happen in me. God is the only one that can make a lasting heart change in my life. It is very true that whatever is in your heart comes out of your mouth. You cannot hide your true heart. When the heat is applied, do you respond with a heart filled with the cross?

Yesterday was my 27th birthday. Casey and I were out for dinner and he asked my what my goals were for this next year of my life. Easy, so I thought, I know what my goals are. I want to get in shape, be more patient with my children and treasure Christ more. OK, so its easy to know what you want to do, following through is the hard part.  I think that if I make my last goal my first priority, then the others will fall in place. I expect to struggle with all three along the way. I am praying for God to guide me this year, to live fully for him. I hope that you join me on my journey this year. Walking and praying along side of me.

Friday, February 5, 2010

What a week

Let me start by saying, I love going to my in laws and am so thankful for them. What I don't like, is getting back into our routine at home.  I am finding that because the boys are still so little, they pick up new habits very quickly. Such as, sleeping in our bed, different bed/nap times, food choices. After a few days home we are getting back to normal. Its hard to break the habits and make new ones. We will get there......eventually.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Adventures of a short vacation pt.3


Amazing, everyone slept well.  I was even blessed to sleep in as Casey took care of Monkey for me. We had the most amazing carmel rolls that my lovely mother in law made. So yummy.

Monkey was very excited to be up and playing with his great friend Blake. They chased each other and the dogs all around the house. They played with cars and trucks, ate "loops"(fruitloops), and generally had a great time.


All four boys took naps at the same time!! The men went snowmobiling and the girls played cards.



Now I will let you enjoy our ride home as much as we did.

As we pulled out of the driveway



Five minutes later

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