Maternity Pics

I've been wanting to get some belly pics for awhile now, but no one's here to take a picture of me. And for some reason using the timer on my camera only focused on the background cuz no one's in the picture and then when I pop in the frame I'm just an out-of-focus blur. But Kevin was so kind to help me find my tiny camera remote the other day (it was in the camera bag! ha!), so today, already being done up for church, finally gave it a try. I looked fat and ugly in any standing pics and it was crazy windy, so I opted to try laying down, but it was awkward trying to find ways to lay--what to do with my arms, how to angle my head, and of course how to get a good angle of the belly--all the while going back and forth to the camera to see how they were turning out. Oh the joys, but this is what I got!

28 weeks pregnant

not trying to look dead in this one! more like ready for a nap!my favorite one from the day, I think

Be Thankful: Nov. 7

Today I am thankful for birthdays. We just got back from a friend's birthday party for two of her kids, and I love the opportunity to celebrate life and simply say I'm thankful for you! Not that we can't do that every day, but it's good to just make some days special. It doesn't have to be a big shindig by any means, but personally I don't like when people just let these things go by unnoticed as if it doesn't matter. Rejoice and celebrate! Every person is a great blessing!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:15-16


Join us in thanksgiving over at Karla's Korner!

Be Thankful: Nov. 6

Today I am thankful for the new friends that we are making here. It's hard to believe we've been here for almost a year now, and I feel like we're settling pretty well. It's just so fun to be able to call up a friend and say, "Hey, we're going to the park this morning. Wanna meet us there?" and to then enjoy a morning of friendly conversation! What a blessing!

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." Psalm 7:17

Dinosaur Lessons

Week 4 of our "school" lessons are up! The theme for the week was dinosaurs, so go check out our school blog for some ideas! It was a super simple week this time, but we did make our own fossils! So go see and remember to scroll down to see the days in order!

Be Thankful: Nov. 5

Today I was reminded to be thankful for Kevin's job, especially in today's economy. And I really am! As straining as these last couple months have been on our family with Kevin working constant overtime, we are thankful for the extra money it provides, especially to help pay for the new windows we're having put on the house next week. Talk about a big expense! But so necessary before winter hits!

I am also especially thankful for good health! A lot's going around these days, and fortunately we've remained sick-free, and just in general we are hardly ever ever sick, and for that I am sooo grateful!


"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Be Thankful: Nov. 4

I am thankful for God's word that strengthens us and guides us through our every day--our every trial and our every joy and everything in between!

I am thankful for an all-knowing God. He knows our every need even before we do! and He is faithful to provide.

I am thankful for the hope we have in Christ. Everything we endure on earth is nothing compared to the joy we will have in Heaven!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7

~*~

Join others in thankfulness over at Karla's Korner! Be blessed!

Prayer for Mothers.

I posted last night about the disappointment I'm feeling right now regarding Kevin's work schedule. And then this morning I "happened" to spot on our book shelf this little prayer book for mothers by Jack Countryman. I honestly don't remember when I received it or where/who it came from or if I've ever looked at it before, but today it was a perfect timing. Amazing how God does that, huh? =)

Here is what I read for "Disappointment":

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

Life is unfortunately full of disappointments. But You, Lord, have given me a hope that never changes and a love that will never fade away. Speak to my heart and give me the ability overcome the struggles that are a part of life. Help me to look beyond my own circumstances and see Your purpose for me. I thank You for the challenges of life that help me walk closer to You. Amen.

Amen to THAT!

Endurance.

I am bummed.

The outage that was supposed to be over on Thursday for Kevin has been delayed a few days, cutting into the 6 days off he was supposed to have next week. Instead he works 2 nights in the middle of that break, so he won't be able to switch back to days at all. Meaning Kevin will still be on nights until the 15th. *sigh*

I am just so tired of this. Tired of him being on this opposite life from me and the kids. I want him to come to church with us, be awake when we're awake, sleep next to me at night, help out around the house, be around to watch the kids every once in awhile, go with us to weddings, birthday parties, and potlucks . He's been missing out on sooo much I can hardly take another day of it! And knowing that he has to work Christmas day this year just makes me feel even more lousy. We have family coming in back home, so the kids and I definitely want to be there and stay around for awhile. But poor Kevin will have to head back for work. Yuck.

It's harder to kind of see your husband than it is to not see him at all. You know? If someone's away, you settle into that. But this in and out, opposite schedule business is driving me crazy!

Anyway, before I go to bed just feeling crummy, I'm trying to find something to lift me up a bit. Just a little reminder of the greater life...

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:9-14

Hoping for a better day tomorrow... Good night!

Be Thankful: Nov. 3

5 Things I'm thankful for today:

1. My children. As much as they've been driving me NUTS lately, I still love and appreciate them soooo incredibly much! I can't imagine life without one of them!
2. I saw a mouse run by me IN the van while I was driving yesterday! We set a trap today and I'm sooo thankful it has been caught! Eeek! There's something about being so confined in a moving vehicle and being strapped to a seat that makes me seriously scared of seeing the mouse! So glad it's taken care of!
3. Paper plates. Enough said.
4. Simple joys. Lately it's been seeing combines, spotting the moon (especially the beautiful FULL moon last night!), and eating cookies!
5. Learning opportunities. Having just finished doing a school project with the kids a few minutes ago, I'm so thankful they have the ability to be educated. There are so many other children in other countries that do not have that same freedom. We sure are blessed!

Read others' thanksgiving posts over at Karla's Korner!

Be Thankful: Nov. 2

I'm going to try to do this every day this month....

5 Things I'm thankful for today:
1. A fun little pizza picnic with daddy today.
2. A good day with the kids.
3. Productive cleaning day.
4. A walk. Even if it was just in my living room.
5. Quiet evenings.

What are you thankful for right this moment?

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30