I was doing my bible study today, and in it, the instructions were to sort of meditate on the thought that God's love for us is steadfast adn unconditional, even where our lives are not pleasing to him. It said to read Isaiah 54:10 which says,"Thought the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed." I was praying that God would help me wrap my brain around this concept...immediately, something that happened last night came back to me. It was sucha good picture to me of this, that I thought I'd share.
We went to WalMart last night to get the oil changed in our car. So, we were wandering the aisles of the store, waiting for our car to be done (side note: I believe this is why they offer such cheap oil changes! You are forced to wander thier store buying stuff you don't really intend to buy!)
Anyhow, Hayden was running around like a wild hyena...making LOUD car noises, running away from us...totally annoying, right? Finally, I grabbed him and knelt down to him. I said, "buddy, you have to stay close to me. When you run away, something bad can happen, a stranger could grab you and I'd never see you again! I want to keep you forever and ever!" He said, "you want to keep me?" Yes,I do!" I said. "I love you." "Oh." he said.
The truth is, I didn't love him any less in the moment, just because he wasn't "pleasing" me. the thought of him being lost to me is devastating! Isn't that just like God? He loves us even when we're not living to please him. In fact, his heart breaks at the thought of us being distant from him, which is what happens when we wander away from him (even if it's unintentional).
I forget on many occasions, what a treasure my kids are from the Lord. when I cant' get somthing the Lord is trying to teach me, I just have to look at my relationship with my boys for a perfect demonstration of God's love for me. I'm so glad (now) that happened last night. And, that God helped me rembember it today...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Update on my goals
Just writing down my goals has been so helpful!
I have started writing in my journals for the boys...I think it's going to be harder to do than I thought. I mean, I hardly have time to journal myself, let alone 2 other people! But I think whatever I can get in there will be worth it.
I started my Beth Moore online bible study "Believing God" for the 4th time in 2 years. I am determined to complete it! It is SO good. I'm only on day one, but man, she is an amazing teacher. I wish there were videos everyday...I just love to watch her read scripture. I'm starting to feel like my life has some routine again, I think preschool helps with that. It forces me to plan my day a little more. Anyhow, i'd love an accountability partner on this...anyone else want to do it? If you want to check it out, click here.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif I don't know why I've never been able to finish. It's SO good, and really, each day's homework only takes me about a half hour. Which makes for a nice quiet time. today, I put Jack down for a nap, and turned on a Thomas video for Hayden and was able to get it done.
One of the things in the first session she challenges you to do is from Joshua 5, where he says "Consecrate yourselves, for the Lord is about to do something amazing among you." She challenges you to find a way to step it up a notch...really purify yourself in a new way...stretch yourself, almost like fasting from somthing in particular during the next 9 weeks. God wants to do something wonderful in my life, and I need to show him I'm ready for it...so, I'm giving up daytime television! It's so easy to keep on my tv all day while I'm dinking around the house. And nothing important or even good is going into my brain. I am excited about the study. I'm so ready for some spiritual growth in my life. I eel like I'vs really been a slacker for the past....year? ugh. I hate that. I'm ready to grow and refresh my relationship with the Lord. Any takers? you do most of it online...
I have started writing in my journals for the boys...I think it's going to be harder to do than I thought. I mean, I hardly have time to journal myself, let alone 2 other people! But I think whatever I can get in there will be worth it.
I started my Beth Moore online bible study "Believing God" for the 4th time in 2 years. I am determined to complete it! It is SO good. I'm only on day one, but man, she is an amazing teacher. I wish there were videos everyday...I just love to watch her read scripture. I'm starting to feel like my life has some routine again, I think preschool helps with that. It forces me to plan my day a little more. Anyhow, i'd love an accountability partner on this...anyone else want to do it? If you want to check it out, click here.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif I don't know why I've never been able to finish. It's SO good, and really, each day's homework only takes me about a half hour. Which makes for a nice quiet time. today, I put Jack down for a nap, and turned on a Thomas video for Hayden and was able to get it done.
One of the things in the first session she challenges you to do is from Joshua 5, where he says "Consecrate yourselves, for the Lord is about to do something amazing among you." She challenges you to find a way to step it up a notch...really purify yourself in a new way...stretch yourself, almost like fasting from somthing in particular during the next 9 weeks. God wants to do something wonderful in my life, and I need to show him I'm ready for it...so, I'm giving up daytime television! It's so easy to keep on my tv all day while I'm dinking around the house. And nothing important or even good is going into my brain. I am excited about the study. I'm so ready for some spiritual growth in my life. I eel like I'vs really been a slacker for the past....year? ugh. I hate that. I'm ready to grow and refresh my relationship with the Lord. Any takers? you do most of it online...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Today, and Journal instuctions
Today was a good day. My mom and I went to the Women's Health Expo at the Oregon Covention Center. Loads of fun freebies! And it was free to get in...did I mention I love free stuff? It was fun. then tonight we got together with our Rosemary's Racers team for the Race for the Cure and ate (not really gonna help us with the race, but it was good!) and ironed on our team patches on our shirts and prayed for Rose and other loved ones battling Breast Cancer. It was fun to hang out with the girls!
On the fam front...Jackers really went after the crawling today. For the first time he was really getting the hand-leg coordination down. He kind of kicks out his little left leg, as if he were imagining he's riding a scooter. pretty funny. He's growing up WAAAAYY too fast.
OK,Here is the directions for making a journal, Eryn-style.
Supplies you'll need:
-old school composition notebook (black and white spekles with black binding) although the one pictured is purple...
-Modge Podge(I like the Matte finish)hereafter referred to as MP
-foam brush (for applying MP)
-your choice of a few coordinating papers (I try to avoid cardstock...to stiff for bending around the spine part of the journal)
-any embellishments you wish to use
-xacto knife or box cutter utility nknife
optional: sanding block and ink pad
Step 1: Paper. lay out your papers how you want (I usually trim the paper down to about 1/2 in ch overhang beyond the edges of the book).
Step 2: smear a layer of M.P. over the cover of your book. Not too much, not too little. I like to line up my first paper over the speckley part, lining up to the black binding part. Smoothe it out pressing firmly to try and remove all bubbles make sure the edges are securly stuck down. then i smear more MP over binding and smooth down the accent paper, only slight overlapping the first paper already stuck down. Let that dry for a minute or two before flipping over to do the back side. (If you don't let it dry, you may get funky snags in your wet MP on the front.)Repeat the same process of applying MP and smoothing on the back.
Step 3: Trim excess paper with your xacto knife or utility knife...as close as possible to the cardboard cover. Then if you want (i LOVE this step)use a sanding block to shave off the excess paper, making your paper line up perfectly with your journal cover, and a little bonus is it gives it a little bit of a distressed look to it (so it doesn't have to be perfect!)A second option to this step is to take an inkpad and smear that around the edges you just sanded, giving even more distressed look to it. I like to use black or brown ink.
Step 4: your title. I take a complimenting paper and stamp or write, or use stickers or a rub on...your choice of title. On Jacks I used a rub on and some chipboard letters that I painted...Hayden's I used foam stamps, which, may I say, I LOVE. I like to get that all ready ( I also like to ink the edges of my title paper to make it "POP"). Then put a thin layer of MP over your already stuck down paper and stick down your title before it gets too dry. Sometimes, in the second layer of MP the paper gets pretty wet and sometimes bubbles up looking funky. Don't freak out! That usually goes away when it's totally dry. Don't go touching it, trying to make it lay flat...you'll just make finger prints in your Modge Podge. Then brush another light layer of MP over your title.
Step 5: Embellishing. On Jack and Hayden's, I used some ribbon. While the MP was still wet, I just stuck the ribbon down and it stuck beautifully! I didn't MP over it. I also added the chipboard to Jacks at this point. they were sticky backed and the Mp was still sticky so the also stuck down beautifully. I also lightly glazed the chipboard letters with MP. On the journal pictured here, I added the flower to the still sticky MP.
Voila! a custom journal. Nicole did the cover of her planner/calendar to make it beautifullly customized! I love it! Let me know if you want to come over and I'll craft with you!
Nighty Nite!
On the fam front...Jackers really went after the crawling today. For the first time he was really getting the hand-leg coordination down. He kind of kicks out his little left leg, as if he were imagining he's riding a scooter. pretty funny. He's growing up WAAAAYY too fast.
OK,Here is the directions for making a journal, Eryn-style.
Supplies you'll need:
-old school composition notebook (black and white spekles with black binding) although the one pictured is purple...
-Modge Podge(I like the Matte finish)hereafter referred to as MP
-foam brush (for applying MP)
-your choice of a few coordinating papers (I try to avoid cardstock...to stiff for bending around the spine part of the journal)
-any embellishments you wish to use
-xacto knife or box cutter utility nknife
optional: sanding block and ink pad
Step 1: Paper. lay out your papers how you want (I usually trim the paper down to about 1/2 in ch overhang beyond the edges of the book).
Step 2: smear a layer of M.P. over the cover of your book. Not too much, not too little. I like to line up my first paper over the speckley part, lining up to the black binding part. Smoothe it out pressing firmly to try and remove all bubbles make sure the edges are securly stuck down. then i smear more MP over binding and smooth down the accent paper, only slight overlapping the first paper already stuck down. Let that dry for a minute or two before flipping over to do the back side. (If you don't let it dry, you may get funky snags in your wet MP on the front.)Repeat the same process of applying MP and smoothing on the back.
Step 3: Trim excess paper with your xacto knife or utility knife...as close as possible to the cardboard cover. Then if you want (i LOVE this step)use a sanding block to shave off the excess paper, making your paper line up perfectly with your journal cover, and a little bonus is it gives it a little bit of a distressed look to it (so it doesn't have to be perfect!)A second option to this step is to take an inkpad and smear that around the edges you just sanded, giving even more distressed look to it. I like to use black or brown ink.
Step 4: your title. I take a complimenting paper and stamp or write, or use stickers or a rub on...your choice of title. On Jacks I used a rub on and some chipboard letters that I painted...Hayden's I used foam stamps, which, may I say, I LOVE. I like to get that all ready ( I also like to ink the edges of my title paper to make it "POP"). Then put a thin layer of MP over your already stuck down paper and stick down your title before it gets too dry. Sometimes, in the second layer of MP the paper gets pretty wet and sometimes bubbles up looking funky. Don't freak out! That usually goes away when it's totally dry. Don't go touching it, trying to make it lay flat...you'll just make finger prints in your Modge Podge. Then brush another light layer of MP over your title.
Step 5: Embellishing. On Jack and Hayden's, I used some ribbon. While the MP was still wet, I just stuck the ribbon down and it stuck beautifully! I didn't MP over it. I also added the chipboard to Jacks at this point. they were sticky backed and the Mp was still sticky so the also stuck down beautifully. I also lightly glazed the chipboard letters with MP. On the journal pictured here, I added the flower to the still sticky MP.
Voila! a custom journal. Nicole did the cover of her planner/calendar to make it beautifullly customized! I love it! Let me know if you want to come over and I'll craft with you!
Nighty Nite!
so annoyed!
I had an impromptu craft night with my buddy Nicole, and I took step by step photos for you guys who wanted to know how to make the journals...but can I find my dumb camera cable to hook it up to the computer? NO. grrrr...I'll try to post soon!
Those mischevious littel 3 year old sticky fingers...walk away with mystuff!!
Those mischevious littel 3 year old sticky fingers...walk away with mystuff!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Knitwit
I forgot to post this yesterday...I made up this little hat for Jack while I was camping. There is somthing about camping that gets me in the mood to knit...it's weird. I guess I'm just not used to sitting around doing nothing! It turned out pretty good (as long as you don't look too close!)I dont' know if he'll leave it on...he hates things on his head...I should 've made one with a chin strap!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
My big boy and crafts...
today my big boy started preschool! I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was snuggling my little newborn baby boy. I've been counting down the days for preschool to start (for my sanity!), but who was the one crying today? ME. I took Hayden into the classroom, and he looked at me and said, "Are you gonna go, Mom?" sheesh. Not a hint of unsureness! Ready to be on his own.
So I wheeled Jack down the hall sniffling, I can't believe my baby's in preschool! He loved it, had a great day, and looked darn handsome! Here's a few pics.
Also, My goals inspired me to craft up a few journals, one for each of my boys. So...I havent' written in them yet... but I hope to before the night is over! Here's a few pics of the journals.
So I wheeled Jack down the hall sniffling, I can't believe my baby's in preschool! He loved it, had a great day, and looked darn handsome! Here's a few pics.
Also, My goals inspired me to craft up a few journals, one for each of my boys. So...I havent' written in them yet... but I hope to before the night is over! Here's a few pics of the journals.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Goals...
Julie inspired me with her 101 goals, got me thinkin'. I don't have 101, but my list is growing. These are in no particular order..
#1-time with the Lord each weekday. The drought in this department must end!
#2-Even though I'm scared to commit...start running in October.
#3-Complete the Beth Moore Believing God study (I only started this 3 times, and never finished.)
#4-Start a journal for each of my boys...documenting our funny, silly, monumental, maddening moments. (Inspired by LeeAnn)maybe someday they'll enjoy reading about our little life.
#5 Make some of my Christmas gifts
#6-Become a more loving disciplinarian for Hayden (poor Hayden, he's my guinea pig!)I read this great book, "Making Children Mind, Without Losing Yours" while I was camping. It really inpired me to change the way I discipline... I want him to learn about Jesus love for him from the way we discipline him.
#7-paint a few rooms of our house by Thanksgiving.
#8-have a birthday party for Jesus
#9-start a new Christ centered tradition for Christmas with Hayden (&Jack)
#10-start a vacation fund.
I think this is enough to get started for now...
#1-time with the Lord each weekday. The drought in this department must end!
#2-Even though I'm scared to commit...start running in October.
#3-Complete the Beth Moore Believing God study (I only started this 3 times, and never finished.)
#4-Start a journal for each of my boys...documenting our funny, silly, monumental, maddening moments. (Inspired by LeeAnn)maybe someday they'll enjoy reading about our little life.
#5 Make some of my Christmas gifts
#6-Become a more loving disciplinarian for Hayden (poor Hayden, he's my guinea pig!)I read this great book, "Making Children Mind, Without Losing Yours" while I was camping. It really inpired me to change the way I discipline... I want him to learn about Jesus love for him from the way we discipline him.
#7-paint a few rooms of our house by Thanksgiving.
#8-have a birthday party for Jesus
#9-start a new Christ centered tradition for Christmas with Hayden (&Jack)
#10-start a vacation fund.
I think this is enough to get started for now...
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Vacation
Well, 10 days camping and only 3 showers later, we're back! We had a terrific time with the fam down in North Bend Or at Spinreel campground in the oregon dunes. Fish and Chips, smores...life is good! My parents have an RV and 4 wheelers, which makes it really fun. My aunt, uncle and cousins have them also, and my brother and his wife came with a couple ...so it was a blast! Matt and I are the only lame-o's with nothing but a Hot Wheels scooter and a stroller! But we mooch well, and got to have fun anyway.
My kids did really well...I was just telling Matt how much I love how camping wears Hayden out! He goes to bed so easy at night. The fresh air and dirt do wonders for that kid's soul! He spent hours on my mom's quad pretending to go to Starbucks and the go-shee (grocery) store. Can you tell what my life consists of? :)
I'm too tired to deal with uploading pics...so I'll do it tomorrow!
My kids did really well...I was just telling Matt how much I love how camping wears Hayden out! He goes to bed so easy at night. The fresh air and dirt do wonders for that kid's soul! He spent hours on my mom's quad pretending to go to Starbucks and the go-shee (grocery) store. Can you tell what my life consists of? :)
I'm too tired to deal with uploading pics...so I'll do it tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Fat March
have you all seen this show? It's kinda crazy and dramatic. But I can relate...to the fat part. (we're all friends right? I can admit that to you). I've been feeling really motivated as of late, to get my butt in gear and do something. They say you have 9 months to put on the baby weight, so you should give your self 9 to get it off...well that means I have 2 days to lose about 15 lbs...Ha!That's not going to happen. BUT, I have really been trying to cut down on my sugar intake..and I've lost 3 lbs in a week and a half.Not bad...but seriously, I'm daydreaming, seeing myself running a 5K. I have always HATED running. But, I have a good friend so's lost like 50+ lbs by running and cutting sugar and eathing healthier. She did this program called "Cool Runnings"...couch potato to 5K in 12 weeks is what they claim. It worked for my girlfriend, and I really want to try it, but I'm afraid. Afraid of people seeing me run...afraid I can't do it. We've been talking about joining the Y, which I'm looking forward to.
We're going on vacation this weekend, which is always challenging for watching what's going into your mouth. I'm going to do my best.
Click here to see the cool runnings site.
We're going on vacation this weekend, which is always challenging for watching what's going into your mouth. I'm going to do my best.
Click here to see the cool runnings site.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
busy
I've had a busy week. My sister and law and her kiddos came in from Texas for a visit, which was GREAT! I really miss them living here. We just hung out and reconnected. Our kids are almost the exact same ages so that was really fun.
I also canned pears this weekend...YUM. Nothing like a fresh juicy pear! I think I'm done canning for awhile. It was great though, because I got to spend a bunch of time with my best pal, Selene and her fam (and mine) while we got our tall hubbys to pick pears and we did the canning together. So great! I LOVE her. She's one of those people who just inpires me to live more like Jesus.
That's it for tonight! E
I also canned pears this weekend...YUM. Nothing like a fresh juicy pear! I think I'm done canning for awhile. It was great though, because I got to spend a bunch of time with my best pal, Selene and her fam (and mine) while we got our tall hubbys to pick pears and we did the canning together. So great! I LOVE her. She's one of those people who just inpires me to live more like Jesus.
That's it for tonight! E
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