Thankful Thursday Top Ten 48

GA's Naked Cowboy [Sprinkler=Redneck Pool]

Thankful This Week For:

1. God speaking in all directions [If you ask for wisdom...you get it]

2. Small group at my house this upcoming Friday!

3. My mom [I enjoy her company, she comes to my rescue, & my kids love her!]

4. My husbands new song that lyrically is genius & gorgeous

5. Less disposable diapers [Moses is using more cloth, Solomon using less too]

6. Friends who pray [then call, txt, email...to find out what happen]

7. Sarah's commitment to one year of blogging! **So proud**

8. That I found my cousin-in-laws [only] wedding dvd...two years later

9. I feel like we're in a season of settling & not moving [I.feel.at.home]

10. Dinner with "old" friends

What are you thankful for this week? Link up below!

20 Weeks Pregnant [Well...Not Me]

If you haven't met my bff April, well, here she is, in full bloom. That's right, that red head I met in college [and still get in trouble with] is now married and about to have her first child---a boy.

She came to visit me this past week, and I just swooned at her belly. It's tiny of course, but still, there is a little life swimming & growing inside. I was praying to Jesus today---please let him have red hair!

April and I go way back, nearly 10 years now---she's that wonderful friend who is always there for you. She even dropped in on my homebirth meeting Saturday with fresh flowers, this amazing dip, and could be seen cleaning up after me [I may or may not have spilled nearly a gallon of milk everywhere].

I kept telling her that day if I add a belt to my dress we can look just as far along. After all, my fear the whole day was someone would ask me how far along I was. No one did, that may or may not have been because I made a point to tell everyone who walked in the door that I was---not.

I don't know why she came to the meeting anyways---after all she was my doula for my first two. If Moses hadn't come in 3 hours she would have made that one too. I do tease her because as soon as my first was born she announced to the whole room "I want to have a homebirth!" With tears. And Mrs. April don't cry about everything like me.

I just thought y'all should know that feeling that little bump move made my whole weekend. I can't wait to meet Him! Happy 20 weeks today April & Will & Baby.

Lego Club

Nation will turn 5 next week and I felt it was about time we accepted the invitation to our friends homeschool Lego club. The idea is that everyone brings 100 legos and swaps to build a creation on that day's "theme". The host mom had the genius idea to give each child a baking tray to keep all their legos & creation in. It was either that or 1200+ legos under her couches.

The children were given 45 minutes to create [without mommy of course] and then they took turns "showing and telling" [questions allowed]. It was really sweet to see what everyone made and hear them speak in front of the group. Some where shy, some built simple, some loved the stage, some built things that surely will take us to Mars one day.

It was hilarious to me that as the showing and telling continued---everyones creation [whose theme was "transform"] ended up with the added "superpower" or going under water. After all---it is the ultimate if your creation can go on land and water--isn't it?

Nation was a bit overwhelmed, nervous, stressed, and "wanting to win"---but he eventually borrowed some wheels from someone and thus solved his [he is very literal] dilemma of creating something that could MOVE because apparently to him transform is defined as being able to move.

He made a moving camera [with a shade]---that of course---ended up going under water and transforming into something that cleaned the ocean.

I'm going to use this post to focus on the lovely part of the Lego club today and not the knock-down-drag-out-exit we had to make when someone didn't want to leave...

...there has been many tears, much humiliation and embarrassment for me these past two weeks weeks. I sincerely appreciate your prayers and sensitivity as I am struggling to parent him.

To end on a happy note though---I think I might start a lego club in the [new] neighborhood just until school starts---might be a good way for Nation to meet friends here. Do you think my home owners association will allow a giant handmade sign inviting everyone? Ha!

Scripture & Snapshot 29

My God is in the business of turning things around. 

Deserts that Bloom

Beauty for Ashes

Joy instead of Mourning

Praise replacing Heaviness

Old replaced by New

Go buy yourself some flowers and remind yourself, your current desert will have blossoms soon...

I Wonder

[I wonder what people will think after they read this post. I wonder if I am alone.]

I wonder how it's possible to love a Lord so deep, and for so long, but not love His words. Saying it that plainly sounds so terrible, but isn't it true? The Word isn't my favorite book to pick up, it isn't where my mind wonders to, and it isn't what comes out of my mouth most. It isn't were I spend most my time.

I don't deserve the shelf of translations [and colors] I own. I love it less than those who don't even have the luxury of having their own.

Honestly, I do love Him---serve Him---obey Him---need Him desperately all day for more days than I can remember. But I live on the Him I've been served, read once, or retold about in a book [about Him].

I can't help but wonder what great adventure lies behind the wardrobe closet. It must be so fantastic that he---the one whose native tongue is lies---convinces me day in and day out to avoid. I can't help, but wonder the endless magic that would ignite my dull day if I read Him daily.

After all, He is The Word. It's not technically possible to say I love Him, and not love The Word. I am enthralled by it's wisdom, beautiful redemption, and daring faith. But something about this other side of the closet makes it all seem so...so...so...unappealing at times.

I can only conclude that it is not because it actually is, but because it's the exact opposite. Where the greatest resistance is felt to stay away---is the very thing I should run the hardest after.

The Word. His words.

I don't want to wonder if falling in love with The Word would change my life [and my world], I want to know---it did.

Thankful Thursday Top Ten 47

Thankful This Week For:

1. The honesty of the comments from yesterdays post

2. That as women...we get to wear fun jewelry [thank you Charming Charlie's]

3. Rain

4. Grill cheese & tomato soup saving an unplanned dinner night

5. Consistently scrapbooking again on Wednesday nights with a bff

6. My other bff is having a...BOY! Can't wait to share this mom-of-boys life with her.

7. Beth Moore's study on Inheritance...rocking my world! God is a giver, not a taker!

8. Homemade waffles [busted out the grain and mill again finally!]

9. All the work the Lord continues to give us, especially in this economy

10. A wonderful small group that super encouraged me last Friday night concerning the trials of training

What are you thankful for this week? Link up below!

Dear Judgmental OnLooker

I read this yesterday, and it got me thinking...

Why are we so hard on each other? I mean, if you have kids surely you've been in a situation where they have embarrassed you or done something awful you didn't expect them to. It makes me really sad thinking back over the times when my kids have acted out or made a huge mess and I was around "friends" or strangers who made me feel like the-worse-mom-on-the-planet.

Motherhood is hard enough. So...please, next time you feel the need to not lend me a hand, not tell me, "it's okay", not hold the door open for me as I'm dragging a tantrum toddler to the car---please know...

You're next. 

And when it happens to you, [Jesus help me] I hope I'll be the friend or kind stranger, you were not. And one more thing...

Dear judgmental onlookers,

Yes, my kid just took off his pants and slid down the inflatable slide naked, but aren't you thankful it was because he just went pee pee in the potty and not the bounce house?

Yes, my kid just threw a huge tantrum at the ice cream store, but aren't you thankful I threw away his ice cream and didn't give him what he wanted? [You'll thank me later if he ever works for you]

Yes, my kid is only 2 years apart from his sibling, and that sibling 2 years apart from his sibling, and yes...I want more. 

I know you think I look overwhelmed, tired, and are considering sending in an application for me to What Not To Wear as I have 3 children pulling on my stained sweat pants, but just so you know... 

I wasn't looking for an perfectly kept, easy, predictable, boring life---that's why I had kids!

Sincerely,

I wouldn't have it any other way

***

Disclaimer: I'm not saying, if you don't have kids your life is perfect, easy, predictable and boring, I'm saying [in my experience] having kids is not those things [all the time]. For sure, I know lots of singles, or married folks who live adventurous-i'm-jealous-of lives! And I know lots of people with children who dress better than me, I'm only poking fun at myself, so don't get your feelings hurt please. Just laugh [at me!] Love all y'all!

Open Your House

I told Charles this past weekend that my favorite thing about this house is that we have room to entertain in it. It's been so nice to have people over---to eat, to talk, to play!

Not that we couldn't before, but it was a bit cramped and it was a bit hard for the mommies and daddies to hear over all the kiddos. There definitely wasn't extra space or bedrooms to lay down sleepy kids and no real space for the kids to play, but outside...which was fine...until the sun went down.

There are many ways to share Christ with people, but one I love dearly is inviting people into my home. There is something wonderfully different about having people over to share a meal and allowing conversations to take on a life of their own. Nothing like bumping into each other in the church lobby and exchanging cordial greetings.

Here is my house. Here is my family. Here is Love.

What do you need? Come and get it! And we need some too---please share with us!

Encouraging you today to consider opening up your space to believers and non believers around you. See what God does. Be a friend. Make a friend. 

Report back!

[Plus, it's a great excuse to splurge on flowers!]

Nothing Says Romance Like...

I saw this idea on Pinterest, only it didn't give instructions for boys who didn't want to participate. I even was bribing with brownies! Clearly, Nation understood.

My boys love their dad, and their dad loves his boys.

Nothing says romance like a man who loves kids.

Charles loves to play, teach, and invest in his kids. I'm so thankful for all his participation in their "rearing". He's finds them fascinating & hilariously irresistible. 

He's pretty much always willing to: change a diaper, wipe a face, serve a meal...

I'm continuously amazed at how, despite the increasing expenses, hardships, inconveniences, and added noise Charles continues to see the long term value in raising children. I'm not sure he'll ever tell me we're done. I"m sure he'll always want more. 

And that, I admire. I'm more of a short-term-this-is-overwhelming kinda person. I'm glad we're paired together to encourage one another in our callings as parents.

***

I can't write this post without thanking the Lord also for my dad [Steve], my step-dad [Jim] and my father in laws [Chuck & Ted]. We wouldn't be who we are today without all of them. Thanks Dads!

***

Home

Home is where I feel yesterdays bits of sand under my feet as I pace and sway across the wood floors with my baby in my arms in the wee hours of the night.

The sand doesn't bother me. I suppose it should, but what is a dirty floor in this fallen world?

Home is where I don't know how to comfort, don't know how to soothe, don't know how to make this baby stop crying. Praying. Asking. Jesus! What am I missing? What is wrong? Why is this happening?

A heavy head lays upon my shoulder and a slumber sets in. I look down and am overwhelmed as I envision the Lord pacing back and forth holding my friends in His arms. Their legs wrapped around His chest.

Oh the love [much deeper-higher-wider than mine] He feels for them.

Home is where I ask, What do I do? Little me. To soothe my crying friends
this week.

A friend who miscarried on her birthday.

A friend whose son has been told the cancer has spread.

A friend whose married ended.

A friend whose husband is infected and lying in a hospital bed.

A friend whose mother has been diagnosed with cancer.

A friend who is tormented with fear.

A friend who has lost a family member.

Home is...not here. This, this world, is not my home.

***

Thankful Thursday Top Ten 46

Thankful This Week For:

1. Slightly sunburned shoulders around the Georgi house, earned by hours of endless backyard fun though

2. Sprinklers, local lake beach, neighbors/friends/families pools, local water park...all keeping us wet & cool this hot summer

3. VBS. Nation went two years ago, but was a wee bit young and although he made it all week he didn't do so well. This year, he's doing great & obeying, but his teacher told me he has more energy than she's seen in a boy...ever. And she's been teaching a-long-time. Thank you for the pat on the bat Mrs. VBS

4. Having three boys. Although two would appear less work, I think life is easier when Nation is here all day. Oddly enough. I don't think having less is easier, I think the more older children you have the easier. It's the younger ones that wear us mommies out [well...until the teen years?].

5. What Beth Moore taught this week...we only get one life, so let's make it wild and absent of boredom [although I'm not sure with little kids that's ever optional]. 

"It's not a wild ride if you're driving, it's only a wild ride if you're the passenger and He is driving."

6. Store bought bread, disposable diapers, and paper plates...as we still unpack, adjust and settle in. 

7. Last nights thunderstorm. We ate dinner with all the lights off and all the downstairs blinds open, and when we went to bed we opened all our blinds upstairs in our bedroom and watched the show.

8. My middle child, who is getting very close to being completely potty trained. He's wearing undies all day and having very few accidents. Most importantly, he's telling mommy when he has to pee before instead of after he does ; ) 

9. Seeing a glimmer and glimpse of supernatural restoration, hope, and healing happen before my very eyes for a friend

10. Community. Not everyone has it. I definitely take it for granted. Thankful for my church, my small group, my best friends, and my family. 

Ask God today if someone you know could use a real friend.

Weight Watcher Wednesday 18

187.5

Down 1.5 from last week...I attribute that to some activity points earned deep cleaning this [larger than my last] house and finishing up Moses' weaning process. He's been nursing less and less and I'm finally---after 5 years, 8 months, and a few days closing in on a season where I am not either pregnant or nursing.

Yes, I have baby fever, and yes I only plan to stay in this season for a few more months, but it has been nearly 6 years since I've felt a normal appetite and not that of one for two.

I will miss nursing Mr. Moses, but he's nearly 15 months and I'm hopeful to be nursing another bambino next year. Nation weaned at 17 months, Solomon I weaned at 16 because I was so ill with Moses' pregnancy, and although I'd love to continue nursing Moses to 18 months [my goal]...I'm ready to get the weight off and get started on baby #4.

That's my plan anyways, we'll see what God has in store ; )

No Pool, No Problem.

We had some friends come over to play today...

2 moms + her 3 boys + my 3 boys +her 1 daughter
[+ hopefully a daughter in my future]

We don't have a pool, but we do have installed sprinklers that provided almost equal enjoyment. Although I think the trampoline was a bigger hit.

I love how the first two boys have alternating winks.

The female version of her brothers. 

Being around her makes me so curious what a daughter of my own would be like...being raised with three older brothers. Solomon tried to mess with her a few times and she wasn't having it. We saw her put that hand on her hip and that finger in the air...in her defense, we did warn Solomon...

"She can hold her own"

We enjoyed our time with this precious family.

More or Less

I saw this the other day at TJ Max and, of course, I bought it because I loved it so much.

I don't really have anything fabulous to say this Monday afternoon. I could ramble off the long list of things I still have to do today [vacuum, more basement unpacking, piles and piles of laundry....] or I could ramble about how [once again this year] I've waited till the last minute to take care of major holiday [Father's Day] cards and presents. Or I could ramble about the joys [or un-joys] of a baby teething & weaning & ill and another who I've become taxi to from VBS.

What can I say? It's Monday.

On the bright side, it's 5 pm and although dinner isn't being prepared, I am dressed & clean. Along with my car, house and backyard. I suppose I didn't do much resting yesterday so I've made up for lost time today.

This past weekend we got a fence, and moved over our playground & trampoline from our other house. Our new renters move in this week so we hired some help this past weekend to ready the home. My husband still has a few long nights there this week [aka me too, only here, with the kiddos], but all our stuff is officially here at our new house.

Wish me luck as I attempt last minute photos and gifts tonight, and pray for me as I prepare for the summer session of Beth Moore to start, while visions of Nation's 5th birthday and vacation swirl around in my head.

How's your Monday been?

5 Free Apps for The iPad

TextPlus

--Allows you to text from your iPad

--Will alert you just like a phone even if iPad is sleeping

--For $1 more you can get a local number [TextPlusSilver]

Hulu Plus

--Subscription to Hulu is $7.99 a month

--Allows you to stream tv & movies [great for laundry & doing dishes]

--Additionally, included streaming to other devices like your smart phones, computers, and TV [via Xbox Live]

Netflix

--Subscription to Netflix is also $7.99 a month

--Allows you to stream tv & movies [great for laundry & doing dishes]

--Additionally, included streaming to other devices like your smart phones, computers, and TV [via Wii]

Amazon Windowshop

--It's the always cheap, always free shipping, always lovely Amazon.com brought to you in a special iPad viewing layout that makes online [window] shopping  so easy you will probably go beyond the window and purchase!

Weight Watchers Kitchen Companion

--Looks just like an recipe page out of your cookbook

--Similar apps to this are: AllRecipes and Simply Organic

--For general iPad protection in the kitchen and even more of a "cookbook look" buy this...

It isn't designed for the iPad, but it fits and works perfectly.

***

What are some of your favorite iPad apps?

Funny Friday #17

Nation: "Wow, what smells so good in here?"

Me: "It's me, I just took a shower"

* he pauses to think* 

Nation: "What do girls smell so good when they get wet?"

Me: "Girls getting wet by water doesn't make us smell good silly...it's our soap and lotions"

Nation: "Well, it sure does smell good"

Nation is 4. 

***

Moses first word was "da da", followed by "ma ma", followed by "no", Normal right? Well what about his 4th and 5th words that we didn't teach him? Well, I guess his brothers taught him---

By Friday...we all need a good laugh! Link up with me below every Friday!

Thankful Thursday Top Ten 45

Thankful This Week For:

1. Being able to still be thankful on Friday, even if I didn't write my post on "Thankful Thursday"

2. Our small group from church met Sunday afternoon at the river, we'd never been before...so fun!

3. A much needed date night with lots of talking and no movie [few things a shower, babysitter and date night can't fix]

4. Our new fence [being put up as I type]

5. Beth Moore's teachings, I've been listening while I fold laundry this week...wise women! When I'm in a funk, I try to just continuously listen to something Godly to get my mind back in a good place

6. Being invited over to our new neighbors new pool this weekend

7. E-mealz, being back in the cooking grind has never been so deliciously inexpensive [and time consuming and messy ha ha]

8. Pinterest, it's made my sometimes gloomy days a bit brighter with all it's creativity and beauty

9. A prayer I've been praying all week that I know is working--- "I want to love you more Lord"

10. White Water [water park], we have no pool in our neighborhood or backyard, but it's close enough to still keep us wet this summer

Weight Watcher Wednesday 17

189.0

That's right folks, we're in the "180's". Which might seem like the weight of two people to some of you, but for me, who was just in her 220's this is mountains moving.

I didn't post last week, but I was down .2 ounces, and the week before that I was at 190.6 so I'm down a little over 1.5 pounds in 2 weeks, not bad.

I charted my points for two days and then fell off the wagon, hoping for three days this week.

I've been walking almost every other night for 40 minutes either with my bff or alone listening to an audio book. Deeply enjoy both, and am so thankful for a supportive husband who keeps putting the kids to bed so I can walk before it gets dark.

A Walk To Remember

Last night was one of those nights where I walked out of the house [to go walk] listening to all three kids fussing or crying as Charles was putting them to bed.

I turned around a few times and debated just staying in to keep cleaning, but I shut the door.

Outside at 8:30 PM a gorgeous sunset and music on my iPod awaited me as began to lap my neighborhood over the next half hour. The quiet. The absence of fighting or disobedience. The non-mess-to-clean pavement. Sweating and exercise never seemed so appealing.

"Jesus..." I asked, "why is something so lovely [family] so draining?" 

[What am I doing wrong?]

Yes, the kids need to help around the house more and yes, we need to be more scheduled...

But what else am I missing?

That's when I believe I heard that my expectations were tripping me up. 

I expect, for whatever reason, that I'll wake up in the morning and all things will be quiet. There will be no need for me to train, discipline, or teach. There will be no messes for me to clean, and things will go as smoothly as if I was the one being catered to and taken care of. I must think that, even as foolish as it sounds because when I have to...

fold
sweep

clean
serve

train
wipe

die to self

prepare a meal

cook a meal

clean up after a meal

I may not always complain with my lips, but I complain in my heart. "Why does this take so long" "Why does cooking make such a mess" "Why do I work so hard so that dinner can be so loud and chatoic" "Why doesn't this look like the movies?" "Why do the kids go to sleep and my work isn't done?"

I felt like the Lord reminded me on my walk, that life---isn't suppose to be easy. Life isn't lazy. Life isn't suppose to be one perfect event to another. 

Life is work. Life is serving. Life is others before yourself.

And in that life, there is reward, there is love. There is real life.

So another morning has come and cleaning and cooking and training awaits me, but I hope today I won't approach it all as if it's a shock and surprise "Why is this happening?" but approach it as part of---real life. This is what it is.

Where there is noise, when there is fighting, when there is hands [and bottoms] that need washing---it won't be inconvenient for me, it will be...my calling.

It's work, but it's rewarding.

How To Waste Time Wanting To Be More Creative

I'm always the last to find out about things...so I'm sure all my awesome readers

already know about Pinterest [spell check still doesn't], but for those of

you...like me...welcome to the world of Pinterest

Martha Stewart Wannabees+Facebook+Twitter+DIY+Timesucker=Pinterest

Just stay away.

You'll...

a. stop cooking breakfast, lunch & dinner because you're busy "pinning"

b. realize how uncreative you currently are, which leads to---

c. telling yourself "I can do this" "I'm going to start being more crafty"

d. decide you need a part time job to support your new hobbies

e. being on Pinterest every time your husband looks over your shoulder

f. start receiving even more emails now telling you your pins were repinned

It's free.

It sucks you in.

Here's what it looks like---

You have "boards" which are a fancy name for categories. So far I have 21.

Like: "Things I'll never bake" and "All things Pink" and "Playroom Ideas" etc

You browse around on this google-images-meets-etsy-meets-magazinelike

search engine of creative fantasy land and "pin" the items you like. Then you

organize them.

It's window shoppers & OCD women's worst nightmare best dream.

Come over and follow me in pinterest!

What did you think?

Scripture & Snapshot 28 -Psalm 139-

This has actually been my favorite scripture as long as I can remember. Probably at some point during my middle/high school years when I was struggling [like many] with self image and self worth. 

I received a necklace recently with this engraved on it.

So incase you need reminding---

YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

He kissed your face before you were ever born.

So, praise Him, and remind your soul...

He is GOOD. Marvelous are His works. 

Funny Friday #16

linking up at:

Everyday

[photo credit: Caty Collier, our sitter]

Everyday...

...i say things I don't mean and hope they forget them

...i say things I mean and hope they never forget them

...am surprised when my middle child rises early

...for 3 years he never fails to break the morning silence with "juice?"

...i wish I'd done the dishes the night before

...it seems to take me all day to do them

...i consider brushing teeth & hair [occasionally face] "getting ready"

...i remember when I took an hour or two "getting ready" [what was I doing?]

...i complain about the day to day chores, messes, diaper changes, and meals

...i remember there are those without houses to clean, children to make messes, diapers to use, or ingredients for dinner

Someone once said, 

"Your life is made up of 'todays',

what you do today will be what you do with your life". 

Reminding myself of this everyday, helps me remember that habits and love not practiced today won't magically appear in the legacy I leave.

Thankful Thursday Top Ten 44

[Today was a really hard day, I'm not going to lie. 

Nevertheless, all the more reason to think of the things I am thankful for]

Thankful This Week For...

1. Local water park [we just got passes so we can beat the heat!]

2. Making it to the gas station even though I was puttering up to it

3. Remembering I forgot my wallet before I left the neighborhood

4. A new mill to mill grain [since our last -lasted 7 years- got broke in the move]

5. A freshly mowed lawn [that I didn't have to mow!!]

6. A neighbor that's letting us share one side of her fence 

7. Homemade "metal detector" made of tinker toys

8. Hot baths

9. That I don't have to take a raft to my house

10. Hair on my head, even if I forgot to do something with it today & scared myself in the mirror