Season of Change

Lent is the forty day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert.

Lent begins every year on Ash Wednesday. It's the 40th day before Easter Sunday (not counting Sundays because they aren't counted as part of the "season" in lent). There are actually about 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, but who's counting? There are 46 days because the six Sundays don't count.

For the next forty-six days I will be going without online computer and sweets. Absolutely no emails, facebook, blogging, so on and so on; and no un-natural sweets.

Lent is typically looked on as a Catholic thing due to its origin but can be used in many different ways. For me, it is an opportunity to go without something so needless. So needless yet, made such a priority in my life.

We often need a good time away from something before we figure out how much it drives us, how much it consumes us. Do you remember my no computer day on Jordan's birthday? Well, that showed me how much the computer drives me. Blogging, searching the web, Facebook, and emails can all be good and useful, especially for encouraging others. BUT it can also be a time waster and an all consuming thing. Could you go a day with out the internet? Would it drive you crazy wondering who was trying to get a hold of you, like it did me? Would you go nuts wondering what news you were missing out on? Well, the only thing we should not be able to go without is, God.

As far as sweets go, sweets are one of my very favorite things, especially when pregnant. And since I spent all of last year re-training myself on making healthy choices, cooking with more natural ingredients, and becoming a healthier person, I am able to really notice the recent pick up in craving the sweet stuff which is not good for myself, my family and our new little blessing on the way. =)

In place of time spent on the computer I will be doing a couple of things. First, I will be spending a lot more time talking with God. Talking with God, isn't that just a lovely phrase? Second, I am going to be studying the life of Christ leading up to his death and resurrection in depth. I am wanting to spend time really thanking him for his sacrifice, seek out wisdom on how to become a better 1 John 2:6 kind of person and the best way to listen and learn is when to be... quiet.

So, I hope to return from this season with a new understanding of how to be a good manager of the time God has given me, be a woman of prayer, and more aware of the good food that nourishes my body.

See you in 46 days!

Just Love It

Yesterday afternoon Alli came to me and said "Mom, is today really February 22nd?" "Yes" I replied. "Well then!" she continued... "Today is George Washington's birthday." "Oh, good" I said, "Go write a paper on him." =)

"moooommmm, I'm working on my calender." (she said with a smile) "Can I do it first thing in the morning?"

"Ok, I guess" I said.

This morning when I woke up she read me her paper:

George Washington was the first president of the U.S. of America. He was born February 22, 1732 and died on December 14, 1799. He was an honest man. He married a wealthy widow named Martha Curtis and helped raise her children. Martha bravely followed her husband throughout the Revolutionary War. She was known as a quiet and gentle woman. They lived in the Nations first Capital which was New York!

Ok, did you know the first capital was New York? And have you ever started your day out at 6:30 in the morning writing about George Washington without anyone telling you to get up and do it?

I just love it.

Wonderful News

Wonderful news was just given to me about the friend I told you about who discovered she has breast cancer. No cancer was found on the left side! She is scheduled for surgery on the right side next week, not sure of exact date yet. What an answer to prayer! Thank you so much for the comments, and the emails letting me know you have been praying for her.

Here on the home front all has been well. We are enjoying having Daniel back from Mexico and living normal life again; ;) it's just not the same with him gone. We have all been busy figuring out all the ins and outs of this years new garden and even started some planting indoors today.

The girls did do a fancy Valentine breakfast for us (like I kind of assumed). Those cutie pies =) Daniel got home at 3am that morning, I woke up at 7:30 to the sound of them making breakfast in the kitchen, heart shaped pancakes. One of my favorite little memories will be Alli:

"Jordan, I cannot find the 3/4 measuring thingy, so I think I will just use the 1/4 one, three times."

Priceless.

I turned around and went back to bed until they said it was time to eat.

Kids are outside playing, Daniel is working on the compost, and the beans are on the stove. Life is beautiful.

Hope you are well.

What Could That Be All About?

I just went into the school room and couldn't help but notice it is completely cleaned up. Not to mention, all the chairs are moved away from the table with only two left, sitting across from each other and tomorrow is Valentine's Day...


hmmmm, wonder what those little girls of mine are up to...


I would take a picture, but in reality I wouldn't get it downloaded to the computer until AFTER Valentine's Day. =)

Hope your day is as sweet as can be tomorrow!

My Moment of the Day

Today when we were leaving the YMCA (which is where we have PE) the kids ask me:

"Mommy, can we have a quarter for some candy?"

I said:

"No, but next time we come you can be sure to bring your own quarter so you can buy something. Besides, I have bananas for you in the van" =)

Kids:

"Oh Mooom"

I am so mean ;-)

.

A Heavy Heart

I just received a call from a friend. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She went for just a normal exam but received such sad news.

When she told me my heart just sunk. Still now, I am just so sad. I am always taken back in amazement by how quickly our lives can change.

My heart is sad for her. My heart is sad for her husband, her children, her mother who lives so far away but is so very close to her and for her very close friends.

I am only sad for the news, for the suddenness of it all and for the shock she has had to endure. Well, and also for the conviction it gives me I suppose. It makes me feel so selfish for all the things I take for granted in my life. I know our God is a God of healing so I pray his Will, will be done in her sweet life.

Please pray with me for wisdom, strength, support, healing, and comfort for them. What a wonderful time this is for them to take and hold close all of those things we take so much for granted. While praying for them, take time to think of all the meaningless things, we too, take for granted each day.

I'll keep you updated on her beautiful story.

There Once Was a Time

There once was a time when I ran my husbands, well, everything. My little fingers were on everything he did with ministry.

Let's make a long story short.

I am glad I woke up and realized he was a big person and could make mistakes. I am also glad that part of me is long gone and if he doesn't get back soon, I am going to lose my mind.

He needs an intern.

(audrey, you diggin' the shirt? =) ha!)

Finally Sinks In

It usually hits around the third or fourth day, "I miss daddy".


So, we made a daddy chain and she was all better.


Only four more days to rip off.

The Making of a Tradition

We started a special valentine tradition this year. A simple white table cloth (Wal-mart, on sale $4.50), with our hand prints. Each year we will put our handprints on it. One day it will be full of loving hands. Loving hands that aren't so little anymore.

We're waiting for Daddy to get home from Mexico to add his.

Yes, it should say And now these three remain... *sigh* I sat there for the longest time contemplating going to Wal-mart to get another one and start over. But then I thought, Oh well, it builds character, it's the beginning of it's story. =) Story being: mom wasn't paying very good attention.

But really, this is what it's all about:




If you decide to do this special little thing with your family I have the following advice for you:

1. When you are printing the scripture, and you get to the part that says: And now THESE three remain... don't forget you are on the word THESE and not three =)

2. No matter how cheap you are (like me) don't buy the small black paint instead of the big one just because you won't need as much. BECAUSE, it doesn't have the little tip; it has a big one and a lot squeezes out, Why? I do not know...

Man of the House

Daniel left this morning early for Mexico and he'll be gone until next Saturday morning. Last night before tucking Judah into bed he said:

"Well, you're the man of the house now little buddy."

"He will be, one day, I said. Isn't that an amazing thought?" One day, he will be the protector of the house while Daniel is away.

I am always so blown away at how God has in trusted these little lives to us.

The other day the girls were being crazy in the back of the van. Just giggling, and singing all the way down the road. I said to them "Alli, Jordi... you girls are crazy!" Then Judah said "Joorrrdo!" (that is his new favorite word, that and Aweeeee (for Alli).

After that, I turned to Daniel and said, "It's so weird to think that one day a man will call her Jordan and he will love her, she will be grown."

They are all just little gifts. Gifts for us to have for only a little time.

What a treasure.

Judah

He completely trashed the hermit crab cage, sand all over the floor, water dish covered, crabs happy to be alive.

He walked all over the house dropping little "rabbit" poops from his diaper on the floor.

He colored all over the sofa cushion with a purple marker.

He completely trashed the hermit crab cage... again.

And yet, when a slow song was heard in the background and I asked him to dance, he reached his arms up at me, I held him tight as he rested his head on my shoulder and we danced a sweet dance before bed.

It's all worth it.