Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 146:1
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. At least, that's how I usually feel. Today I actually enjoyed the rain. I ended up staying home most of the day and didn't feel too guilty about not taking my kids to the park for Parents Club. Sometimes I feel like all I do is try to find things to do to keep myself and my active children busy...not a bad thing really...we all enjoy activity. Lately, though, I almost find myself searching for reasons not to go anywhere, just to enjoy my children being completely comfortable, uninhibited by there surroundings and the expectations placed upon them when they aren't home. So I listened to my children scream today, and didn't care. It wasn't bothering anyone else. I listened to them jump up and down, loudly, and didn't worry about who it might be annoying. I doled out "time-outs" and reprimands without the fear that other people, especially other moms, would judge me as a bad mom for even needing to implement such consequences. I just let my children be my children, and I let me be me. And you know what? We do a pretty good job at that!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Praise Him for a sense of humor.
He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. Psalm 147:18b
This morning I had a follow-up ultrasound for some female issues as well as some blood work. My friend/neighbor, Amy, graciously came over to watch Avery and Emerson for me. So, I drank all this water beforehand, as they have told me to do in the past. I get to the appointment and I'm about ready to explode. Then I sit for at least 15 minutes...okay, let me rephrase, I fidget for at least 15 minutes before they call me, but only for the blood work which is down the hall. The lady that took my blood had to ask me to be still so she could get the needle in. I seriously thought I was going to wet my pants. Then I had to go back to the waiting room for them to call me for the ultrasound. I waited another 10-15 minutes, the whole while standing and swaying, moving, talking to another lady in the waiting room that figured out my dilemma (not hard to do at that point), anything to keep my mind off of how bad I had to pee! A couple times I asked the receptionist if she could find out if they would be calling me anytime soon. She understood my predicament and tried to see what the hold-up was, and yet I still waited. Finally I leaned across the desk and said to her..."Help me!"
The nurse behind her said, "Why don't you come back and just see if you can just go a little bit." Yeah right! I was desperate so I said OK.
Meanwhile while I'm in the bathroom trying to just go a "little" bit, I hear a lady say, "Is that Erin in there? I'm ready for her. Oh, she doesn't have to have a full bladder this time...Erin are you in there? Just go, it's fine."
I yelled out from the stall, "Are you KIDDING me?!" Then when I got out, after peeing for literally 5 minutes straight, I said, "OK, that was one of the cruelest jokes ever!" Of course all the ladies standing there thought that was hilarious.
Then as I'm walking back to the ultrasound room with the tech she says, "Yeah, they always tell patients to have a full bladder but they don't always know what I'm doing. Since it's just a follow-up it's not necessary."
I said, "Well, I probably could have gone another 5 minutes, but I knew someone else was waiting to use it.
She said, "Oh, well go in that one, because I really need your bladder to be empty." Who knew irony could be so funny...and painful! Well, the rest of my day was pretty uneventful which was kind of nice, but I better stop now...I really need to pee!
This morning I had a follow-up ultrasound for some female issues as well as some blood work. My friend/neighbor, Amy, graciously came over to watch Avery and Emerson for me. So, I drank all this water beforehand, as they have told me to do in the past. I get to the appointment and I'm about ready to explode. Then I sit for at least 15 minutes...okay, let me rephrase, I fidget for at least 15 minutes before they call me, but only for the blood work which is down the hall. The lady that took my blood had to ask me to be still so she could get the needle in. I seriously thought I was going to wet my pants. Then I had to go back to the waiting room for them to call me for the ultrasound. I waited another 10-15 minutes, the whole while standing and swaying, moving, talking to another lady in the waiting room that figured out my dilemma (not hard to do at that point), anything to keep my mind off of how bad I had to pee! A couple times I asked the receptionist if she could find out if they would be calling me anytime soon. She understood my predicament and tried to see what the hold-up was, and yet I still waited. Finally I leaned across the desk and said to her..."Help me!"
The nurse behind her said, "Why don't you come back and just see if you can just go a little bit." Yeah right! I was desperate so I said OK.
Meanwhile while I'm in the bathroom trying to just go a "little" bit, I hear a lady say, "Is that Erin in there? I'm ready for her. Oh, she doesn't have to have a full bladder this time...Erin are you in there? Just go, it's fine."
I yelled out from the stall, "Are you KIDDING me?!" Then when I got out, after peeing for literally 5 minutes straight, I said, "OK, that was one of the cruelest jokes ever!" Of course all the ladies standing there thought that was hilarious.
Then as I'm walking back to the ultrasound room with the tech she says, "Yeah, they always tell patients to have a full bladder but they don't always know what I'm doing. Since it's just a follow-up it's not necessary."
I said, "Well, I probably could have gone another 5 minutes, but I knew someone else was waiting to use it.
She said, "Oh, well go in that one, because I really need your bladder to be empty." Who knew irony could be so funny...and painful! Well, the rest of my day was pretty uneventful which was kind of nice, but I better stop now...I really need to pee!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Praise Him for my husband.
Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
I miss my sister. She was able to go to church with us this morning, then my wonderful husband watched the kids so we could go out to lunch before her flight. We had a yummy meal at 54th Street Grille and then had to head to the airport. I'm so glad she was able to come visit, but it makes the homesickness come back with a vengeance. I know I'll feel better tomorrow and as I get back into my regular life. Now I'm looking forward to seeing her and many other precious family and friends for a brief visit to Florida for Kendall's bridal shower in about a month and a half.
I have to say that this has been an intensely emotional weekend for me. At the end of it my husband let me cry it out real well and listened to me try to put my thoughts and feelings into words even though I'm sure nothing I said made absolutely any sense to him. As usual, he didn't push and pry or get annoyed, he just let me cry and held me. I am so blessed.
I miss my sister. She was able to go to church with us this morning, then my wonderful husband watched the kids so we could go out to lunch before her flight. We had a yummy meal at 54th Street Grille and then had to head to the airport. I'm so glad she was able to come visit, but it makes the homesickness come back with a vengeance. I know I'll feel better tomorrow and as I get back into my regular life. Now I'm looking forward to seeing her and many other precious family and friends for a brief visit to Florida for Kendall's bridal shower in about a month and a half.
I have to say that this has been an intensely emotional weekend for me. At the end of it my husband let me cry it out real well and listened to me try to put my thoughts and feelings into words even though I'm sure nothing I said made absolutely any sense to him. As usual, he didn't push and pry or get annoyed, he just let me cry and held me. I am so blessed.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Praise him for being a child of God.
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2
Lindsay and I had a good talk this morning. Then after the kids went down for a nap, Brian stayed with them while we went to Culver's for fries and frozen custard...a yummy and nutritious meal. Then we went to Parable Christian store so I could get a couple accompaniment tracks and help Lindsay find a purse Bible. Then we headed home to gather up the troops to go to the Horse Whisperer event our church was sponsoring. This gentleman "broke" a wild horse while he gave a wonderful analogy about how we are like the wild horse. Among many things he talked about how when we realize that God is our Master and submit to His will (much like a horse submits to his master) then He will lead us in the way we should go, protect us, care for us, love us.... It was really great and the kids enjoyed the horse, the bounce houses, etc. Then we ate dinner at La Pachanga. Now we're going to watch a movie and just hang out.
Throughout the day, especially throughout my talks with Lindsay and the Horse Whisperer event, God has just been so awesomely (is that a word?) reminding me what it means to be a child of God. I am so grateful for all that He is (just, forgiving, righteous, holy, ever-present) and all that He offers to me as His child (salvation, forgiveness, unconditional/unfailing love, even conviction so that I know when I have failed and can; therefore, repent). Thank you Lord!!!
Lindsay and I had a good talk this morning. Then after the kids went down for a nap, Brian stayed with them while we went to Culver's for fries and frozen custard...a yummy and nutritious meal. Then we went to Parable Christian store so I could get a couple accompaniment tracks and help Lindsay find a purse Bible. Then we headed home to gather up the troops to go to the Horse Whisperer event our church was sponsoring. This gentleman "broke" a wild horse while he gave a wonderful analogy about how we are like the wild horse. Among many things he talked about how when we realize that God is our Master and submit to His will (much like a horse submits to his master) then He will lead us in the way we should go, protect us, care for us, love us.... It was really great and the kids enjoyed the horse, the bounce houses, etc. Then we ate dinner at La Pachanga. Now we're going to watch a movie and just hang out.
Throughout the day, especially throughout my talks with Lindsay and the Horse Whisperer event, God has just been so awesomely (is that a word?) reminding me what it means to be a child of God. I am so grateful for all that He is (just, forgiving, righteous, holy, ever-present) and all that He offers to me as His child (salvation, forgiveness, unconditional/unfailing love, even conviction so that I know when I have failed and can; therefore, repent). Thank you Lord!!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Praise Him for the unexpected.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. Psalm 51:15
Okay, so I've had a pretty darn good day! Lindsay and I took Sydney to school, went to Bread Co. (Panera for my non-St. Louis friends) with Avery and Emerson to have coffee, and then I showed Lindsay around Arnold including our church, where the Parents As Teachers stuff is held, etc. Then we went to Hobby Lobby to get invite ideas for Kendall's lingerie shower. After that we picked up McDonald's and went to eat with Sydney at school. Then we went back home to put Avery and Emerson in their rooms for nap-time.
Now for the really good stuff...I went to the grocery store to get stuff to make pinwheels for our Sunday School social tonight and when I was there, the Arch radio station was doing a drawing for 2 free Hairspray tickets for tonight. I put my name in because, why not, and then did a little hi-lo game and actually won a CD. Of course I picked the New Kids on the Block CD since I was such a die-hard NKOTB fan as a kid...laugh all you want, I don't care. Anyway, the DJ was kind of a flirt, but of course, dream on, never gonna happen (LOL)...but anyway, not 10 minutes after I walked away they announce over the grocery store intercom and the radio station that I had won the Hairspray tickets!!! SOOOO, Lindsay and I are going to leave early from the social and go! We have awesome seats too! We looked them up online and they're like the second most expensive tier of seats. We are so excited!
Ok, so maybe it's not a God-thing to go see Hairspray (not the most moral show), BUT I do think it's a God-thing to be able to do something totally spontaneous, fun, unexpected, and especially FREE....with my sister on one of the only 3 nights that she is here!
Okay, so I've had a pretty darn good day! Lindsay and I took Sydney to school, went to Bread Co. (Panera for my non-St. Louis friends) with Avery and Emerson to have coffee, and then I showed Lindsay around Arnold including our church, where the Parents As Teachers stuff is held, etc. Then we went to Hobby Lobby to get invite ideas for Kendall's lingerie shower. After that we picked up McDonald's and went to eat with Sydney at school. Then we went back home to put Avery and Emerson in their rooms for nap-time.
Now for the really good stuff...I went to the grocery store to get stuff to make pinwheels for our Sunday School social tonight and when I was there, the Arch radio station was doing a drawing for 2 free Hairspray tickets for tonight. I put my name in because, why not, and then did a little hi-lo game and actually won a CD. Of course I picked the New Kids on the Block CD since I was such a die-hard NKOTB fan as a kid...laugh all you want, I don't care. Anyway, the DJ was kind of a flirt, but of course, dream on, never gonna happen (LOL)...but anyway, not 10 minutes after I walked away they announce over the grocery store intercom and the radio station that I had won the Hairspray tickets!!! SOOOO, Lindsay and I are going to leave early from the social and go! We have awesome seats too! We looked them up online and they're like the second most expensive tier of seats. We are so excited!
Ok, so maybe it's not a God-thing to go see Hairspray (not the most moral show), BUT I do think it's a God-thing to be able to do something totally spontaneous, fun, unexpected, and especially FREE....with my sister on one of the only 3 nights that she is here!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Praise Him for Bounce U!
My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord. Psalm 26:12
That was about the best work-out I've had in weeks. I took Avery and Emerson to Bounce U with our Parents Club this morning. It's a lot more structured than Monkey Joe's, which is nice, but there weren't as many toddler-sized bouncers. That didn't seem to matter, though. Avery pretty much managed to do everything by herself. Emerson tried to do everything by himself and did allow me to help when needed...shocking, I know. My right bicep is exhausted! I tried to even it out by holding him in my left arm a few of the times that we climbed the wall to go down the slide, but I am definitely weaker on that side and couldn't make it very far. Avery's favorite thing was the enormous slide that made my stomach drop. Emerson's favorite thing was the ball gun. You put a ball in and press a button to shoot it across the bouncer at a target. He was too short to put the ball in or even see it once it was shot from the gun, but he didn't care. He probably spent a solid 15-20 minutes straight just standing there pushing the button to hear the loud air noise that it made. Now they're both napping and I have to go vacuum downstairs when I'm done with this.
My sister comes in tonight and we are VERY excited! Sydney and Avery both wanted to wear dresses for the occasion. Sydney wore her "high-heel" sandals and I braided her hair. I asked her what she was going to say at school if someone asked her why she was all dressed up. She said, "Thank you."
I said, "No, honey, listen to my question again...what will you say if someone asks you why you are all dressed up?"
She said, "Thank you."
Again, I said, "No, if someone says you look pretty, then you can say thank you, but if they ask you why you are all dressed up, what will you say?"
Then she said, "My Aunt Lindsay is coming to visit!"
Better go vacuum now and then a shower, because MAN, do I stink! I blame Bounce U!
That was about the best work-out I've had in weeks. I took Avery and Emerson to Bounce U with our Parents Club this morning. It's a lot more structured than Monkey Joe's, which is nice, but there weren't as many toddler-sized bouncers. That didn't seem to matter, though. Avery pretty much managed to do everything by herself. Emerson tried to do everything by himself and did allow me to help when needed...shocking, I know. My right bicep is exhausted! I tried to even it out by holding him in my left arm a few of the times that we climbed the wall to go down the slide, but I am definitely weaker on that side and couldn't make it very far. Avery's favorite thing was the enormous slide that made my stomach drop. Emerson's favorite thing was the ball gun. You put a ball in and press a button to shoot it across the bouncer at a target. He was too short to put the ball in or even see it once it was shot from the gun, but he didn't care. He probably spent a solid 15-20 minutes straight just standing there pushing the button to hear the loud air noise that it made. Now they're both napping and I have to go vacuum downstairs when I'm done with this.
My sister comes in tonight and we are VERY excited! Sydney and Avery both wanted to wear dresses for the occasion. Sydney wore her "high-heel" sandals and I braided her hair. I asked her what she was going to say at school if someone asked her why she was all dressed up. She said, "Thank you."
I said, "No, honey, listen to my question again...what will you say if someone asks you why you are all dressed up?"
She said, "Thank you."
Again, I said, "No, if someone says you look pretty, then you can say thank you, but if they ask you why you are all dressed up, what will you say?"
Then she said, "My Aunt Lindsay is coming to visit!"
Better go vacuum now and then a shower, because MAN, do I stink! I blame Bounce U!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Praise Him for technology.
Wow, that was easy. I've been wanting to set up one of these so I could do something with my condition that I have diagnosed as "diarrhea of the mouth". I thought I might incorporate one of the ongoing life lessons that the Lord is teaching me...to praise Him in everything, and by "everything" I mean EVERYTHING. It would take a lifetime to explain why this has become the focal point of my existence over the past year or two...okay maybe the last ten years. Mainly, I'm just not always that good at remembering to praise Him in everything and, though I still fail... a lot, I think I might finally be getting the hang of it. So, I figure every day, or as close to that as possible, I can blog about my day and think of something or many things for which to praise Him. Today I praise Him for technology. No one will probably ever read my blog, and that's okay. It wasn't really the point of setting it up anyway. Now I just have an outlet for my thoughts, a place to vent, a great way to share all the stories about my day (usually involving my children), some of which I don't think are that funny when they happen, but sure do become hilarious once I share them with someone else. So future followers of my blog (I'm guessing mainly just my family and friends), enjoy! Bonus: Maybe this will help me not to talk your ears off so much!
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