This week I reached the nine week mark in my pregnancy with baby Georgia. In just nine short weeks she will be here with us and the anticipation will be over. Are we ready?? Not by a longshot.
Lately I've had a lot of thoughts about preparations that need to be complete before she arrives and the what ifs (what if she's early? what if I need a c-section and have a longer recovery?). I don't want to be caught off guard and bring home a baby to a mountain of laundry, piles of dirty dishes, an unplanned school year and disorganization. I know that things will go more smoothly if there are meals in the freezer for dinner, clean laundry in the drawers, a system of housekeeping in place that my family knows how to follow. So we have begun to prepare. We're doing lots of extra cleaning, staying on top of chores, planning our school year now for this fall. We are anxiously awaiting Georgia's arrival and we want to be ready for whenever that may be.
This morning as I began making lists of things still left to be done, my thoughts turned to another event I am anticipating - the coming of Jesus. In Mark 13:32-37, Jesus reminds us that the day and the hour of his return are unknown and we must be ready. "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone. Watch!" (Mark 13:36-37) In the busyness of life we can get caught up in our to do lists, the frantic pace and the urgent things that cry out for our attention. But we must not lose our focus! We must be always looking to the sky, ready for the Savior's return for his bride!
In the same way I don't want to be found unprepared when baby Georgia arrives, I want my Jesus to find me ready and waiting for him. Are you ready?? He's coming!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
In Step with Jesus
Here's a video of Gracie's dance recital performance tonight. All the girls did so wonderfully dancing in worship to Jesus. I know He is well pleased with both their dancing and their hearts.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/3b10fbda376437774db5971a109a2d60/video/4339107
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/3b10fbda376437774db5971a109a2d60/video/4339107
Thursday, May 28, 2009
First Harvest
Today we brought in our first harvest from the backyard garden. This is some beautiful lettuce, even better than what you find in the store. The kids are very excited to help me make a great salad for dinner tonight. And we're all anxiously awaiting the future harvests to come - tomatoes, cucumbers, red and yellow bell peppers, squash, zucchini and cilantro.Hope this is the beginning of a wonderful summer for you and your familiy!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Easter Pictures
Several people have asked to see our Easter pictures of the kids this year, so I'm posting them here for everyone to see. Enjoy!!
Gilbert asked if I thought he looked like a preacher - he loved his tie!
All dressed up for Easter
Gracie did not care about taking pictures - she just wanted her Easter basket!
Nanny found matching dresses and shoes for Glorie and Gracie - so pretty!
We could not get Glorie to smile...until we asked her if she wanted to eat!!Growing in Jesus (and the Backyard too)
This afternoon, after much anticipation and waiting, my hubby built our raised bed frame and filled it with wonderfully rich black dirt. We've been planning and talking about our first garden for weeks, so we were all excited to see it finally come together. We all went to the store together this afternoon and picked out several plants - tomatoes (large and grape size); cucumbers; red and yellow bell peppers; zucchini; squash - and also some seeds for cilantro, green onions and two kinds of lettuce.
After dinner, the kids and I put our hands in that rich soil and planted the plants and seeds. We talked about how we would enjoy the fruits of our labors all through the summer and also about the work that was needed so that we'd have veggies to enjoy - the watering, the looking for bugs/pests, the weeding, the harvesting. The work has been a big part of our conversation over the last few weeks. With Mama being pregnant all summer, most of the work will have to fall to the kids and Dad. So we've talked a lot about reaping what you sow, being diligent and doing your part.
We've also used this opportunity to teach a spiritual lesson as well. In our own Christian walk with Christ, we reap what we sow. If we are spending regular time sowing the seed of the Word of God into our hearts; if we cultivate our relationship with Christ through prayer; if we seek to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gospel and its impact on our hearts - there will be a bountiful harvest of fruit that will be evident to us and to those around us.
One of the kids asked, "What are we going to do with so many tomatoes and vegetables?" Our hope is to share our bounty with our neighbors and our friends and family. In the same way, when our lives are full of spiritual fruit, the bounty overflows and we share the fruit of the gospel with those we love. If our garden is producing bushels and bushels of harvest, people will want to know what we're doing differently so they can try it in their own gardens. If our hearts are producing in us the fruits of the Spirit, people will want to know how we are able to be joyful, loving, patient, kind, self-disciplined and long suffering. Then we can point to Jesus and share the fruit of the gospel in our lives.
This garden is a new challenge for all of us. It will require work, perseverence and a willingness to learn new things. We will have to be consistent in our care of the garden. For me personally, this garden is also a challenge for me spiritually. How well am I tending the garden of my heart? Is it neglected and overrun by weeds of distraction and busyness? Does my life bear spiritual fruit? Can others around me see the bounty of the harvest that God is producing in me? Is there fruit in the gardens of my childrens' hearts? How can I sow seeds into their hearts that will produce good fruit? How can I share the harvest with those around me?
I'm looking forward to seeing what this summer produces - in my garden and in my heart.
After dinner, the kids and I put our hands in that rich soil and planted the plants and seeds. We talked about how we would enjoy the fruits of our labors all through the summer and also about the work that was needed so that we'd have veggies to enjoy - the watering, the looking for bugs/pests, the weeding, the harvesting. The work has been a big part of our conversation over the last few weeks. With Mama being pregnant all summer, most of the work will have to fall to the kids and Dad. So we've talked a lot about reaping what you sow, being diligent and doing your part.
We've also used this opportunity to teach a spiritual lesson as well. In our own Christian walk with Christ, we reap what we sow. If we are spending regular time sowing the seed of the Word of God into our hearts; if we cultivate our relationship with Christ through prayer; if we seek to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gospel and its impact on our hearts - there will be a bountiful harvest of fruit that will be evident to us and to those around us.
One of the kids asked, "What are we going to do with so many tomatoes and vegetables?" Our hope is to share our bounty with our neighbors and our friends and family. In the same way, when our lives are full of spiritual fruit, the bounty overflows and we share the fruit of the gospel with those we love. If our garden is producing bushels and bushels of harvest, people will want to know what we're doing differently so they can try it in their own gardens. If our hearts are producing in us the fruits of the Spirit, people will want to know how we are able to be joyful, loving, patient, kind, self-disciplined and long suffering. Then we can point to Jesus and share the fruit of the gospel in our lives.
This garden is a new challenge for all of us. It will require work, perseverence and a willingness to learn new things. We will have to be consistent in our care of the garden. For me personally, this garden is also a challenge for me spiritually. How well am I tending the garden of my heart? Is it neglected and overrun by weeds of distraction and busyness? Does my life bear spiritual fruit? Can others around me see the bounty of the harvest that God is producing in me? Is there fruit in the gardens of my childrens' hearts? How can I sow seeds into their hearts that will produce good fruit? How can I share the harvest with those around me?
I'm looking forward to seeing what this summer produces - in my garden and in my heart.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Using it Up and Making it New
I've had a little time this week to do a number of small projects. They all have used items around the house that have either lost the value of their original purpose or have been sitting, waiting to be used for the first time!
Sunday afternoon I took some old receiving blankets and repurposed them. I cut three blankets into 12 squares each. Most of them are now folded and sitting in an empty wipes container in the kitchen, ready to wipe little hands and faces clean after meals and crafts. The flannel is soft and holds up well in the laundry. And it saves us having to use more wipes. We gave up paper towels about a year ago and I've been trying to find a solution to a messy baby at the end of meals. When I saw this idea on another blog, it was just perfect for us. Some of the squares I cut were all white (or mostly white). These went into a play wipes container Gracie bought with her Easter money from Nanny. Now she and Glorie can pretend to wipe their baby and change their diaper without using up toilet paper or tissues. The new "wipes" are getting a lot of use!
After making the new wipes, I was inspired to see what else I could create. I went through my fabric stash and found two long strips of fleece fabric that coordinated with each other. I cut the strips in half and sewed them together to make a blanket top. Then I took an old fleece blanket that was rough on one side and soft on the other and used it as a backing (soft side out of course). It made a cute little fleecy blanket for baby Georgia to use in her car seat when the weather turns cold. I still plan to sew a decorative stitch around the edges as a border - hopefully I'll get to that tonight or tomorrow.
Then this morning Gracie and I pulled out all my card making supplies and made some cards. I made one to take to a first birthday party we attended this afternoon and a new baby card for another neighbor. Gracie was soon joined by Gilbert and they both created some great Mother's Day cards for Nanny and Grandmama and Mama too! Of course I was not allowed to look at the other end of the table when my card was created. The kids loved spending time crafting with me, we saved some money on store bought cards, and we used up some of my craft stash.
These are just the beginning of our attempts to use up what we have instead of buying new things and finding a new purpose for old stuff around the house that no longer seems to have a use. God calls us to be good stewards of the things He has blessed us with. I want my babies to grow up with a good example in using God's gifts well.
Next on our project list is a fairy door for the girlies. Although we've talked about the fact that fairies are only real in our imagination, we also agree that sometimes having something special like a fairy door helps us to imagine even more wonderful things. So we went to the craft store with Daddy this week and bought our supplies. Stay tuned for pictures of the completed project in another post!!
Do you have a great idea for using something old in a new way? Has the changing economy made you rethink if you need to purchase something new or can make do with what you already have? Leave your ideas for using it up and making it new in the comments! I'd love to hear your ideas.
Sunday afternoon I took some old receiving blankets and repurposed them. I cut three blankets into 12 squares each. Most of them are now folded and sitting in an empty wipes container in the kitchen, ready to wipe little hands and faces clean after meals and crafts. The flannel is soft and holds up well in the laundry. And it saves us having to use more wipes. We gave up paper towels about a year ago and I've been trying to find a solution to a messy baby at the end of meals. When I saw this idea on another blog, it was just perfect for us. Some of the squares I cut were all white (or mostly white). These went into a play wipes container Gracie bought with her Easter money from Nanny. Now she and Glorie can pretend to wipe their baby and change their diaper without using up toilet paper or tissues. The new "wipes" are getting a lot of use!
After making the new wipes, I was inspired to see what else I could create. I went through my fabric stash and found two long strips of fleece fabric that coordinated with each other. I cut the strips in half and sewed them together to make a blanket top. Then I took an old fleece blanket that was rough on one side and soft on the other and used it as a backing (soft side out of course). It made a cute little fleecy blanket for baby Georgia to use in her car seat when the weather turns cold. I still plan to sew a decorative stitch around the edges as a border - hopefully I'll get to that tonight or tomorrow.
Then this morning Gracie and I pulled out all my card making supplies and made some cards. I made one to take to a first birthday party we attended this afternoon and a new baby card for another neighbor. Gracie was soon joined by Gilbert and they both created some great Mother's Day cards for Nanny and Grandmama and Mama too! Of course I was not allowed to look at the other end of the table when my card was created. The kids loved spending time crafting with me, we saved some money on store bought cards, and we used up some of my craft stash.
These are just the beginning of our attempts to use up what we have instead of buying new things and finding a new purpose for old stuff around the house that no longer seems to have a use. God calls us to be good stewards of the things He has blessed us with. I want my babies to grow up with a good example in using God's gifts well.
Next on our project list is a fairy door for the girlies. Although we've talked about the fact that fairies are only real in our imagination, we also agree that sometimes having something special like a fairy door helps us to imagine even more wonderful things. So we went to the craft store with Daddy this week and bought our supplies. Stay tuned for pictures of the completed project in another post!!
Do you have a great idea for using something old in a new way? Has the changing economy made you rethink if you need to purchase something new or can make do with what you already have? Leave your ideas for using it up and making it new in the comments! I'd love to hear your ideas.
Update on Caleb
First my apologies for not posting an update on Caleb sooner. Most of you have seen me in person or heard from me by email. For those of you still not "in the know", here is where the situation now stands:
On the day of court, parental rights were terminated for both biological mom and dad and the judge gave the go-ahead for Caleb's foster parents to proceed with adoption. I was able to meet the foster dad and he seemed to be a great guy who genuinely loves Caleb. We talked about possible contact between our families so that Amber and Caleb will remain connected to each other but nothing definite has been decided at this point. We are waiting to see what the family's comfort level is.
As far as our family and the concerns we brought to court, it was confirmed that we had been deemed unfit for placement of Caleb by Cabarrus DSS. This was largely a political motivation. The judge in Cabarrus did not want to be responsible for paying benefits to a child for 18 years if she could get another county to pay for it instead. The day in court felt like a kick in the gut as I heard about different communications about us between Cabarrus and Wake County agencies. In the end, we've talked to our placement worker and have been reassured that our record was and still is clean and clear and one of integrity. We've put the whole situation with Caleb behind us and now we're looking ahead and moving on.
Let me say that we are at total peace with God's placement of Caleb with his family. We are overjoyed for them as their uncertain waiting comes to an end and the beginning of a more stable future starts. We thank God that in His wisdom and mercy, He sees the hearts and lives of all involved and does what is best not only for Caleb's good, but our good as well.
Please pray as we wait for God's direction in our ministry. July will mark two years since our last foster placement. It's something we missed doing very much. But we are also busy preparing for the arrival of baby Georgia. So we are open and willing to whatever the Lord will lead us to do next - whether to wait and rest, to resume foster care or to embark in another area of this ministry. We will keep you updated as God lights the path before us.
On the day of court, parental rights were terminated for both biological mom and dad and the judge gave the go-ahead for Caleb's foster parents to proceed with adoption. I was able to meet the foster dad and he seemed to be a great guy who genuinely loves Caleb. We talked about possible contact between our families so that Amber and Caleb will remain connected to each other but nothing definite has been decided at this point. We are waiting to see what the family's comfort level is.
As far as our family and the concerns we brought to court, it was confirmed that we had been deemed unfit for placement of Caleb by Cabarrus DSS. This was largely a political motivation. The judge in Cabarrus did not want to be responsible for paying benefits to a child for 18 years if she could get another county to pay for it instead. The day in court felt like a kick in the gut as I heard about different communications about us between Cabarrus and Wake County agencies. In the end, we've talked to our placement worker and have been reassured that our record was and still is clean and clear and one of integrity. We've put the whole situation with Caleb behind us and now we're looking ahead and moving on.
Let me say that we are at total peace with God's placement of Caleb with his family. We are overjoyed for them as their uncertain waiting comes to an end and the beginning of a more stable future starts. We thank God that in His wisdom and mercy, He sees the hearts and lives of all involved and does what is best not only for Caleb's good, but our good as well.
Please pray as we wait for God's direction in our ministry. July will mark two years since our last foster placement. It's something we missed doing very much. But we are also busy preparing for the arrival of baby Georgia. So we are open and willing to whatever the Lord will lead us to do next - whether to wait and rest, to resume foster care or to embark in another area of this ministry. We will keep you updated as God lights the path before us.
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