Remembering to Play

This week has been a week of playing. We have played the front yard, backyard, living room, basement...really, anywhere. The weather was so beautiful, I just couldn't say no to letting Ethan enjoy the outdoors when we got home each day. Nathan was able to be home in the afternoons/evenings this week as well so we all had a great time. From bubbles to slides, from cardboard houses to tricycles - I don't think we could have had more fun. Of course, Ethan wouldn't agree with that last sentence. He would have stayed outside long into the night. :)

I feel so blessed to have such a loving, sweet 2 year old. The other day I was getting onto him for stepping on a picture frame on the floor. I said to him, "Ethan, look at me." When those words come out of my mouth, he knows I mean business. He looked at me with a strange look then took two big steps to stand right in front of me. He took my face in his little hands, puckered up and then leaned in to kiss me. All seriousness was gone. I was cracking up. But since I was laughing, I wasn't kissing him back which apparently is no good. So, he slobbered all over my face until I finally got myself together enough to kiss him back. He knows how to sweeten up Mommy.

Today marks the 34 weeks of pregnancy with baby boy #2. I am sure everyone who has been pregnant feels this way but I can't believe I'm this far along already and yet the remaining weeks seem like they will drag on for years. I have been pretty sick, with non-baby illness, during this entire pregnancy. I'm thankful that I didn't deal with a lot of morning sickness and overall my body isn't hating me yet. But all this respiratory illness and the stomach bugs can hit the road. I am praying that after the baby is born my immune system will return to full function.

We are scheduled for a c-section on June 7th at 7:30 in the morning. Since my mom has booked flights, I am really hoping the baby holds out until that date. It is going to a be really neat time! I am so curious about how Ethan will take to the new baby and what he will think when we bring him home. He has always enjoyed babies and been very sweet to the little ones at the sitter's house but this one won't ever leave. Ha!

We are still working out a name for the baby. Nathan has promised we can narrow it down and make a decision by the weekend. Naming a second child has proven to be quite a challenge. Hope to have some news on that front by Saturday. :)

I will leave you with a picture of Ethan, playing in his cardboard house.

Hope you all enjoy a fun rest of the week - with lots of playing outside, inside or wherever suits your fancy. :)

Trading Chaos Later for Memories Now

I have spent the weekend catching up on everything under the sun. Bills, grocery shopping, laundry, work to-do list, decorating some areas of the house and of course extra play time with Ethan. Don't know what it is about the past few months but I have let things get out of control. Maybe it is being a parent. Maybe it has something to do with working at four different places and not knowing my schedule until the day of. Or maybe it was my short but complete obsession with the first three seasons of The Vampire Diaries. (Can't wait for the season premiere this fall, by the way!) I guess all there is to say right now is...everything turned out okay. Maybe I should take a lesson from the last few months and give in a little on my need for everything in my life to be neat and tidy.

When I think back over the past few months I got to spend some wonderful time with my family in exchange for this slight chaos I created. I spent a week in Texas with my family. We planned another rendezvous for July so Elizabeth can come spend a week with me this summer. Nathan and I have had two successful dates including dinner/lunch and movies. I took Ethan for a spontaneous afternoon in the park, just the two of us. Nathan, Ethan and I spent an entire Saturday in Branson, enjoying each other's company with no real plans or need to go anywhere in particular. The birds in my yard are happy with the abundance of bird food/water that usually falls by the wayside because I have "something else to do." Overall, I would say the past few months were pretty successful.

Maybe the next few months will be a repeat and I will have another weekend of playing catch up. Somehow, I think I would be okay with that. :)

Positive Impact

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his GOOD LIFE, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:13-16

Tonight was an amazing Bible study, to say the least. It was as if every word spoken was aimed directly at me. I have been going to a women's Bible study for four weeks now. I have made it every Wednesday night so far.  I try to do the weekly homework, which has proven to be hard with a crazy, hectic schedule and a one year-old wanting my attention. (Still working on Goal #2 for this year...going to take me a little longer to accomplish than I thought.) Each week of this study has enlightened me a little more to the life of James...but this week was different. Tonight I was enlightened to a few pieces of my own life. I started to write a long piece about everything we went over but decided it would be more beneficial to bullet point what hit home for me...

• There are dangers to living a life that has even has a hint of envy, jealousy or selfish ambition.
• God desires for us to live a life full of mercy and good deeds toward those in need.
• The words "those in need" do not just mean people who are financially poor.
• If we have envy, jealousy or selfish ambition weighing us down, our mercy and good deeds will be stifled.
• Even if you feel like your envy, jealousy or selfish ambition is warranted or justified...if you feel like your envy is small....if you feel like your selfish ambition is healthy for a woman in your situation....if you feel like these things aren't a big deal...They are a BIG deal to God!
• I need to be willing to yield: focus on the here and now. As a whole, we should slow this fast paced life that we lead and take a step back to let others through the narrow passages we create in our lives.

Take action: Take your ear buds out, put your Kindle down, pull your nose out of your computer (I see the irony in that last statement) - take a look at life that is happening around you and find ways that you can positively impact people daily. I am really speaking to myself here.

Impact your family.

Impact those you work with.

Impact people wherever you go.

Change the outlook of someone's day and maybe even your own 

with a positive deed or word of encouragement.

Start now.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

John 15:16-17 (Jesus speaking)

And of course, we must end on a sweet picture of Ethan.

In his favorite spot...the swing.

Building good habits

Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.

~Horace Mann

This week I am counting Goal #1 as accomplished. Sunday I put my name on a list to join a women's bible study on Wednesday nights beginning on February 1st. I am very excited to meet some women in the church we are attending and to learn more about the book of James. I have completed Beth Moore studies before and even been to a live taping in Houston, Texas so I know that it will be full of inspiration for a life lived more focused on God. YAY!

So, on to setting Goal #2. As the quote above states, habits are not formed with one simple thread but with many threads woven over days and days to make a strong cable. I have been pondering this second goal for some time but I think I have always made this one a little more difficult than it has to be. I always heard that there was this magical number of days that you needed to do something to make it a habit. Well, apparently that is not true if you look into the research. In fact, they -the researchers- say that it is possible that some people are 'habit-resistant". LOL! That really cracks me up for some reason - probably because I feel like that describes me.

Anywho...Goal #2 is to begin reading my Bible daily.

~30 days in a row to meet the goal~ 

In a Sunday school class I attended recently, the teacher asked what we need to do to be more in tune with God's plan for our lives...the simple answer is to be in tune to His word and spend time in conversation with Him. On Sunday mornings, I am always amazed at how the preacher can spout out Bible verses in the middle of a sermon...not just the location but the entire verse, word-for-word. His son, who preaches sometimes in his absence, can do it too! AMAZING! I would love to have this skill for situations that I come across in daily life. In fact, there have been several times lately that I thought, "Oh, I wish I had a verse to share with this person to encourage them." Hopefully being more in tune to God will allow me to share with others so that they feel uplifted.

In other news, my little baby boy turned one year old last week! He enjoyed cake, presents, balloons, party hats and lots of fun time with family. Along with turning one he has learned to walk, is saying a few more words and is interacting with us in such a fun way. He is adorable and sweet. He is also testing his limits and setting some limits of his own. I am sure he will be an independent little guy...
although I am not sure where he might get that from. Ha! 

I took him to get his first haircut on Monday. Although I am not 100% happy with the cut they gave him, he does look cute. He looks so much older. I just cannot believe a year has already gone by. From what I hear, the years just go by more quickly as you go on. I am looking forward to the Spring (although January sort of feels like Spring so far) when we can get out in the backyard or go to the park and really play hard! He is going to have such a blast this year!!

I am so thankful for my sweet little family.

Changes

This post starts the beginning of a wonderful time - a new year - a mystery of things that are possible.

Nathan and I have made commitments to change many things this year and I am very excited. The first thing changing is my work schedule. I am hoping that sometime in February I will be going PRN (as needed) at the hospital, while I also work PRN for a couple of other companies. This restructuring of my schedule will allow me more time at home with my family!! :) With this change also come changes in Nathan's schedule. Less on-call weekends = more weekends home with us! We are very excited to slow down the pace of our lives at work so that we can gear up our lives at home a little more!

Another big change coming up soon...we will have a 1 year old in 2 weeks!!!! I would say that I can't believe it but each day that I look at him he looks more and more like a little man. He has the sweetest soul - the most precious laugh - and gives the best wet kisses. His newest achievements include saying the words "ball" and "door", taking up to 5 independent steps, and eating anything you put in front of him. :) On another note, I think a little bit of my stubborn side is coming out in him recently. This, I am sure, will only get worse as time goes on. Ha! I can't wait to let him dig into some cake and celebrate the day our hearts all melted at the sight of his face.

Instead of making resolutions this year, I am going to make single goals. As I reach each goal, I will make a new one. Haven't ever tried to do things this way so we will see how it goes.

Goal 1 - Find a Bible study. As our work and home lives start to transition, I am praying that God will lead us to a place of service for Him. I am not sure where to begin this search but something will come along. :)

Well, I guess that is about it for now. I am sure there will be other major changes in our lives as we make these changes. The journey of life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

It's Ethan's first Christmas season!

Deer Oh Deer Christmas

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November - A month of thanks-giving!

A few of my friends on Facebook are posting a daily item that they are thankful for. I thought that posting here would help me utilize my blog a little more this month. I am little behind so here goes...

I AM THANKFUL FOR...

1. A wonderful Christian family that has given me a firm foundation! I remember growing up watching my grandma and mom reading their Bible and their Sunday School lessons each week. I pray that I can be that sort of example for my son.

2. My husband who supports my every want and dream. He is an amazing husband and daddy! He is always caring, slow to anger and full of patience.

3. My baby boy, Ethan. He has given me a love I cannot put in words. He is a perfect little mixture of us both and has such a sweet, sweet spirit. I love watching him learn new things each day.

4. My sister, Elizabeth. She changed my life in so many ways she could not even imagine. LOVE YOU, LIZZIE!

5. Broadway Baptist Church. The first church I have found in Springfield that has filled me with a longing to move forward for Christ again.

6. My profession. Being a speech language pathologist is so fulfilling. Like any career, it has it's challenges but the joys are so much bigger. When I walk into work, I have a smile on my face. When I leave, I know I have made a difference.

7. Photographs. They give me the opportunity to look back at special memories and captures memories that I wish would linger. I know that the pictures I have taken of Ethan this year will be treasures for us for so many years!

8. Pizza! My favorite food. I could eat it every day...but I try not to...LOL!

9. Flowers. They remind me of my Grandma White. Sure do miss her.

10. Heated blankets in the winter. :)

11. Planes. I am so excited to fly to Texas for Christmas this year. Flying is going to give us so much more time with my family.

12. A short commute to work. I am so happy with our choice to move into Springfield this year. It gives us so much more time together. :)

13. Reese's peanut butter cups. They are just so yummy!!

14. Kind coworkers. I am so blessed to work in a Christian environment with so many coworkers who support each other.

15. Cookies, cakes and other sweet treats.

16. Fall decorations. They are putting out Christmas decorations way too early. I love pumpkins, corn stalks, acorns, etc.

17. Our home. It is a wonderful, safe place to raise our family.

18. Our garage. Parking inside on cold nights is awesome!!

19. Lazy days full of time with Ethan and napping. :)

20. Music. There is a song for every time in life.

21. Stephanie. She watches Ethan for us while we are at work. She cares for him so well and seeing his happy face when I pick him up lets me know what a fun time he has had every day!! Stephanie, you are amazing and such a God send!!!!

22. A good book. I have always enjoyed reading but got out of the habit during graduate school because of all the textbook reading. It feels so good to read for fun again. :)

23. Comfortable shoes. I don't know how women wear heels all the time. I love my working where I can wear tennis shoes!!

24. Nathan's co-workers. Today I had thanksgiving dinner with one of Nathan's co-workers and his family. They are such a blessing in our lives and have always been so kind.

25. Friends to go Black Friday shopping with. This shopping madness is crazy if you go it alone...ok, it is actually crazy if you go at all. Ha!

26. Ethan's precious smile after a LONG day of work. It makes any day joyful!

27. A random day off with Nathan and Ethan tomorrow. We are going to have fun, fun, fun!!!!

28. The opportunity to go part-time at work after the first of the year. It was a tough decision to make but I know that God will honor my decision to put my family above my career.

29. Christmas decorations. Even though I am not putting a lot out this year, just seeing them around the city makes me happy!!

30. The fact that December brings Christmas and good times with family in Texas. I cannot wait to spend some quality time with my family and let Ethan run around and destroy their house. :) Ha!

And those are the things I am thankful for in November 2011. :)