abiding in his grace

Friday, August 29, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

absolutely nothing like I imagined but so much more than I expected

Before my kids were born, I imagined life as perfectly orderly; I would teach with care while my child listened attentively. We would have wonderful, long days together with no fits or tears that I could not handle or control quickly and efficiently with the perfect parenting technique. And this child of mine would grow and learn (and have perfect manners) and surrender her life to following Christ without any questions or doubts that would follow.
Because I wasn’t idealistic or anything.
But the reality, as anybody with a little one knows, is absolutely nothing like that. The daily process of teaching and leading a precious little heart is about as orderly as a room full of hungry, pregnant women! And you know what else? It is hard. On every single level. So much of parenting uncovers our own imperfections, and we are constantly being humbled, broken and refined in our own lives while we try to nurture the little lives that have been entrusted to us. Did I mention that it’s hard? Did I mention that it is humbling?
There are days when I’m really disappointed in myself as a mother; I get so tired of struggling to balance the things I need to do with the things I want to do, and as a result of that I am confronted with the reality of my selfishness over and over again. It’s a mighty good thing indeed that I don’t have to parent in my own strength, because I’ll tell you right now that I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t last a day. I might last a day but I definitely would be reported to higher authority!
But the rewards of parenting? They really are huge. They’re immeasurable. They’re eternal. And the longer I’m a mama, the more I am beginning to understand that it is not what I can do in my own strength or thought process, but what God can do through me (which blows my mind that I could be worthy of mentioning his name, much less be used by Him!)
In many ways motherhood is absolutely nothing like I imagined but so much more than I expected. So Lord, please give me understanding of the situation on those hard days and faith to see you at work in our lives.

I lifted this from another blog I came across. It was too good not to share:)!

Family Time!!

The kids and I took a trip to Josh's hometown, our future hometown:). We had a blast! Mimi went out of her way to make us feel very welcomed! She kept Guice and Emery Jai on Thursday, the first time Guice had been left! He did amazing, better that I did! The kids had so much fun spending time with family. They are very blessed to have so many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins to spoil them rotten! Emery Jai LOVED all the attention from her older Cousins. My nieces were wonderful with her and EJ ate it up! Guice loved Uncle David and Uncle Jamie. He is going to be Uncle David's little hog buddy! He was at home in the hog barn! EJ kept everyone laughing with her antics, of course! She is a riot! G added a few more words to his ever-growing vocabulary Mimi, Bella Boo and Nat Nat (in reference to his Aunt Amy;).
It was wonderful to spend time with everyone and we are very much looking forward to relocating!!!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

In to EVERYTHING!

I left him alone for a few seconds only to find this! I was not joking when I said he is into it everything, nothing is safe!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Rock it out!

Emery Jai received this gift from her Mimi at Guyboo's birthday. To say she loves it is an understatement! I have a feeling we need to stock up on batteries;).

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Birthday Paloozza!!

Today we celebrated Guice turning one! It was wonderful! I have to thank everyone who came, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Guice enjoyed his day immensely! He loved his balloons and loved the cake! He even blew out the candle by himself (I was thinking the same thing, he is a genius:)! Emery Jai was absolutely perfect. She was so very good. She waited calmly to open her gifts and thanked everyone. After all the guest had left she came in and asked me and NeNa to sing her happy birthday and let her blow out a candle, which of course we did! I almost cried. The party was great! I am amazed at how fast his first year went:(. Josh was not able to attend and we missed him greatly! It was not the same without him....
in no particular order:)....
Guice goin' to town!

Good stuff! A boy and his balloons!
G with his hat, I remembered it after everyone had left!
Checking out his new toys!

Emery Jai got a tricycle! G's cake!

Blowing out his candle! Happy birthday sweet baby boy.....
My dear friend Linzi and my sweet sweet Rodney Lane!