Cherish every moment...

Today was my very last MOPS meeting until September and there was a speaker that was not a professional speaker but just an older mom that attended the church that hosts our MOPS. She just wanted to do a short speech about how honorable it is to be a mother.


She told us that she wanted to HONOR us today. That being a mom is THE HARDEST JOB on this planet and that we should be honored to raise our children. She went on to say that each day can be a struggle. There are new challenges that we face each morning that we wake up. We do something constantly throughout the day....whether it is laundry, read books, listen to stories, play outside, catch bugs, build snowmen, tie shoes, place bandaids, wash faces and hands, sit by the toilet with a toddler, feed hungry kids, or kiss sweet cheeks...we are always doing SOMETHING! So many of those things are what fill my day.



She told us that even through the business of life, we need to take time to JUST BE. Not be caught up in all the "little" activities of the daily grind, but take time to just be with our child with no other strings attached....no laundry staring us in the face, no dinner hanging over our shoulder, no running to the store.....JUST BE WITH THEM. That is what they really need!



For me it is so hard to JUST BE. There are "things" and tasks that consume me during the day and before I know it, the day is done and I am placing Caleb in his crib for a good night's rest. Where do all the days go?? My baby will be two in July! CRAZY! I feel I haven't taken enough time to soak it all in and just be his mom!



So, for the rest of today, I am going to JUST BE there for Caleb. In every way he needs me! I am going to turn this computer off, turn off the TV, and PLAY (once he wakes up from his nap). I am even going to order pizza for dinner so I don't have to cook! (YEAH!)



All you mom's out there....take time to JUST BE with your children. No strings or "tasks" attached! Cherish every moment you have with them and "hide them in your heart" because they grow too fast!



BE HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE A MOTHER TODAY!!! You deserve it!
Happy Mother's Day (next weekend)!




Oh and I thought I would add a picture of Caleb on Easter morning....
where did my little boy go?!?!?!?!

Some updates...and Happy Easter!

It seems like forever since I have blogged. Maybe just not a whole lot to say?!?! Not sure. Anyway, here are some updates.

Kirk has gotten a "temporary" job for now. He is working with one of our friends from church doing some statistical analysis/measurement work for a charter school office headquarters. It is a little monotonous for him right now (and he is a little overwhelmed with learning a few new software programs) but he is doing well with it. He is a smart guy! It pays more than unemployment so that is a blessing. It is possible he may be able to take a full-time job that would be slightly different with this same company in the near future so we'll see. He doesn't WANT to leave Atwell (where he currently works as a Civil Engineer) but the company is doing REALLY BAD financially and therefore he has no work. The main thing right now f0r us is income so we are trying to be open to what God has for us....whether it is Kirk doing engineering or moving onto a different "field". At least he has work for now :) Praise God!

I am continuing to look for part time work as well. Not much out there though! The hospitals around her are so large that it is really hard to get into them unless you have a "connection" with someone or something there. We are seeking God on this one too. I have always thought God wanted me to stay home with my kids, but we may be forced to look for something part time for me with the situation we are in. We are just waiting to see if God opens any doors. If not, that's fine, we just need to see what His will is for us.

Caleb is doing just fine. He is a VERY VERY active almost 2 year old! I am amazed every day at how much energy he has! He is a lot of fun though too. He has started laughing at himself and that is a riot! He will do something funny just to get a reaction out of us and then he will just laugh and laugh as he repeats his "stunts". We love it. He also has started making a "whoosh" sound every time he throws or kicks a ball. He definitely is growing into a BOY.....and too fast if you ask me! He loves to be outside and cries almost every time we have to come back in (even if its freezing outside!).

One of his favorite things right now is playing Wii Tiger Woods Golf with "dada". Kirk took the batteries out of one of the remotes for him and he stands next to Kirk and swings the "golf club". He make a classic "whoosh" sound when he does too. He also enjoys Wii Baseball as well :) I attached some pictures of Kirk and Caleb in action! So cute!

I hope this finds everyone well! I have been humbled these last few days as I remember and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice my Savior made for me on the Cross. Who am I that He would send is Son to die in my place? Christ has covered me with His blood, made me white as snow, so that I can know and serve Jesus! WOW! Thank you God for your sacrifice on my behalf! I am blessed and humbled. Thank you Lord!

He has risen......HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

-Amy

Our little "golfer"

You my be wondering why his clothes match so well (or not at all)...we had a few potty accidents in the morning and these were his only clean pants. Don't judge :)

Having fun with "dada"

Wrestling and Bath Time...

The last few weeks have been challenging. Kirk has been "temporarily layed off" for the past two weeks....though it has been nice to have him home with us, the looming possibility of a permanent layoff (let alone the no paycheck) has been heavy on our hearts. We holding onto the hope that God's timing is perfect in all things, but we often wrestle with the "why now?" question. God chooses to "shake" those who seem comfortable....well that was us! We seemed to be so comfortable in our way of living....not that we had lots of money or everything was great, but we were comfortable in how we were living life. Great church. Great family. Great job. Great house. Great LIFE! Even though it is still great, God has chosen to move us from that comfort zone and tilt us more toward Himself. Even though it's not easy, I can see how God is molding our hearts, moving us closer together as a couple, and showing us what it truly means to focus on Him for our EVERYDAY needs.

I have to say that He definitly has provided for us in many ways. We have great family support and those around us are willing to help. PRAISE GOD FOR THAT. We also have a great church family that has lifted us up in prayer and offered to help in any way possible. We are getting by day by day. We have had to cut out a lot of "extra" things but have quickly found that those are not true NEEDS! God has provided what we NEED and for that we are grateful! He is so good.

I would appreciate your prayer through this time. I know also that we are not alone in this....there are SO MANY people looking for jobs and experiencing a job loss....lets pray for them too! We are so blessed but many are not so fortunate. May God be praised during this time and may He be the one that we continue to look for. He knows our needs and loves us THROUGH our circumstances!

On a lighter note, I thought I would add a few photos and video of Caleb. He sure is getting his own little personality! He loves bath time...maybe because he loves to splash in the water but I think it's because he gets to have DADDY TIME! He sure loves his daddy!

Enjoy the video and sorry if there is any inappropriate footage....oops :)

The day before a haircut....much needed haircut

Also a little update on our potty training.....today was our second day of BIG BOY UNDERWEAR and I must say he is doing GREAT! The first day we had 4 pee accidents and 1 poop accident. Today, we only had ONE pee accident!!! We are making progress. He seems to realize when he goes now so hopefully it clicks! The sooner we get this boy out of diapers the better :) We will keep fighting this good fight!!

God bless

Amy

Warm Days...

This was our first warm day....he LOVED just running around the driveway. Earlier in the day he splashed in some puddles! He is going to be outside a lot this summer, I just know it!

Caleb loves the little hill in our backyard. He and Daddy had fun running down it....

Caleb LOVES to watch his "babies" - this is what we call his Baby Einstein videos - and this particular night he found out that it is much more comfortable to sit on the couch next to mommy rather than on the floor. Too cute! He sat there the whole time just watching and chewing on his teether (molars are coming in!). I thought it was so cute!

He is growing up way to fast! Where did my little baby go?!?! God sure has blessed us!

Enjoy!

Pee-Pee Update

Just to keep everyone updated...Caleb is still getting on the potty every hour each day. It is taking it's toll on me but I am trying my best to wake up every morning and pray this prayer "God give me the grace I need today to love Caleb in EVERYWAY he needs to be loved today....even with potty training!" God knows my strength and weaknesses and He is working on me even through this. For that I am thankful.

Caleb actually GOES to the bathroom probably at least a few times a day. I am still unsure if he actually realizes when he goes, but I am just trying to be consistant with it and one day it will "click" (hopefully!)

Just wanted to send out that update! :) Keep the prayers coming if you think of us!

Our latest "challenge"...

Okay so just last week I decided to buy Caleb a potty chair. I did this with very little expectation of him even wanting to sit on the potty for any length of time. Well, much to my surpirse, HE LOVED IT! He sat there for a good 10 minutes (reading books mind you) the very first time he sat on the potty!

SOOOOO, I have decided to take a stab at potty training. I know, I may be crazy since he is only 19 months, but I figure, what the heck.....I am a stay-at-home mom with ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD! :) Right......

It has been going pretty well so far. He doesn't ever really put up a fuss when I put him on it, but it does get a little wearing on me....we sit on the potty once every hour! Wow, that is a lot of time sitting on the bathroom floor :)

I am trying to enjoy it, though, and take it with it's ups and downs. I still have him in diapers and we are going to move to pull-ups (the ones that get cold when he pees) in a day or so. We'll see how he does with that. I still am unsure if he actually KNOWS when he goes to the bathroom (even on the potty), but that can be worked on....I think right now the consistancy is KEY!

So, keep me in your prayers and I will keep you updated. Since we started on Saturday (Jan 24th) he has gone pee-pee on the big potty about 5 times. I am just going to keep on keepin on! :)

I enclosed a picture of our "challenge"...... :) hehe.

Enjoy :)

Loss vs. Prosperity

Just a thought to ponder....as I have been pondering it these last few days. May it challenge you and stretch your faith and trust in God...

"God is glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him in the midst of LOSS not in Prosperity."

This is kinda a hard thing to grasp. What does this mean? To me, this means that we are not to show others that the THINGS we have are "gospel". For example....I have this great car because Jesus gave it to me. Or I have this wonderful job because Jesus gave it to me. That sure would make the world want Jesus huh? Well we need to show others that even through the midst of suffering, heartache, hard times, loss, struggles, and pain GOD IS STILL GOD. He is still the only one that is ENOUGH for all the circumstances we go through. He is enough even when we feel the oceans rage around us....when we feel the world cave in on us....when we lose everything.

No, I have not experienced this kind of pain or suffering lately, but I know some who have. It is a true testimony when you see those experiencing loss and pain turn their eyes to Christ. That they can see the handiwork of God through the deepest of pain. They can point their hands to heaven and says "Your will be done God, not my own....in Your timing not mine". WOW, that is faith! That is trust!

Oh God, may my heart turn toward You in good times and bad, happiness and sorrow, prosperity and loss! May my actions and LIFE reflect Your glory in whatever circumstance I am given. That my life here on earth would be a total reflection of Your grace and mercy. May Your name alone be glorified!!!

Amen and Amen