AWEEE! I usually do not welcome Monday mornings but I did today and BOY was it a good day.
All the kids were back at school, Todd made it back into work, extended family left just this morning and I had the house to myself. The best part of it all, was that I had NOT ONE THING to clean in the house! Well, let me restate that as, the house is as clean and organized as it can be for the time being! HA!
The day was a very cold and icy day......so no need to go out for a walk or to work on the flowerbeds or run errands. And no need to run to the grocery store because to be quite honest with you, the roads are really too bad be driving on if you don't HAVE to be driving.
I could have gone into work..........but WHY, if I have the flexibility to work from home. So that is exactly what I did today. I stayed right in my home, in the quietness, in the warmth, in the cleanliness, and worked. I spent much time in prayer and study, too. And boy did it feel good to have this time alone and undisturbed.
Well, it was good while it lasted. I now have 3 kids surrounding me with homework assignments, rumbly tummies, and basketball practice schedules.
Happy Monday:-)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years Resolutions for 2009
As far back as I can remember, on New Years Eve, I would make my list of resolutions, pray over them and put them in my Bible to reflect on throughout the year. It was also very interesting to see which things were accomplished and which weren't from year to year.
In my adult life, I have made resolutions, but never done them to the extent as I did as a child or adolescent. This year, I am planning to make my list here on this blog, print it out, pray over it and put it in my Bible. Seems I was more disciplined back then than I am now!
So here they go
1. Starting my day off with the Lord- Yes, I do start my day off with the Lord with daily prayers in the car ride to school drop offs.....but I am not getting in The WORD like I should on a daily basis. I can talk to God all day long, but I am not getting the full affect of his plan for me by not following up my listening to HIS WORD through reading the Bible.
2. Listening to my kids more- We are pretty good about have FAMILY TIME in our house. We interact and play with our kids alot.......but we are really bad about not just sitting down and listening to the kids. You know, just the conversations.
3. Learning to cook- My mom is a fantastic cook, so it's bound to be in my genes, right? HA! I do cook some and most of what I do cook is good, but the menu I have is very slim. Due to the kids being younger and having different preferences, I had no need to cook nice meals often. But now they are a bit older and can enjoy home cooked meals (not mac n cheese and nuggets). So my mom will be teaching me more of how to cook this year! YAE!
4. Getting more organized- Being a stay home mother, I kept a very organized and clean house. But once I started working, I had to give up some of my "hang ups" just to get by day by day. So I am not as organized and the house is not as clean. But now that I am a part time Children's Minister, I am finally finding that I am having some extra time to get the house back in order. Sure hoping it is not too late to start over:)
5. Healthy Lifestyle- Just tonight I noticed how we had a long chocolate covered rice crispy treat on the table. Gabe wanted this for dinner but he was not allowed any until he ate the majority of his dinner. So he finished dinner and got a PIECE of this treat. Just a few hours later, I have noticed that without my knowing, the other two kids ate the rest of the crispy treat. These eating habits have become the norm in my house. This is not good. So we will not be purchasing as many treats in 2009.....treats will not be a everyday MUST HAVE.
6. Losing and KEEPING my weight off- I can no doubt lose weight. I have twice....but I am having a problem learning to maintain. So I am going to get back into shape and learn to maintain my healthy weight with the help of my cousin who will be my trainer. YAE!!
7. Children's Ministry- With my new job, I have had no training and with the economy in such a slump, I expect that I will not get the opportunity for conferences and such. Therefor, I will need to get creative and find ways of learning how to do this job to the very best of my capabilities. I will be visiting churches, learning to network more with others in the children's ministry, and doing a lot of online training and reading this next year. This new job for me has much more to offer than just the simple planning from week to week..........WAY more. I am ready to learn how to implement more for HIS KINGDOM and how.
8. Nagless- HA! How do you like that word? This one is for my husband. I don't want to be a nagging wife. I need to learn how not to nag and be more of a positive and encouraging spouse. LORD, help me on this one! HA!
9. Acknowledging Friendships- Life gets me so busy that I tend to put my friends last, which is not right. Friendships are treasures........and I need to treat my friends that way. Therefor I want to take more time to be with my girlfriends, old and new:)
10. Money- Todd and I have done a great job of slowly getting out of debt and learning to spend way less. But we still live paycheck to paycheck. I would like to SAVE money wisely and not touch it. SAVINGS for the JUST IN CASE scenarios of life!
Well 10 resolutions. I am going to print these out asap. And look forward to sharing in a year how this were accomplished!
Happy New Years:-)
In my adult life, I have made resolutions, but never done them to the extent as I did as a child or adolescent. This year, I am planning to make my list here on this blog, print it out, pray over it and put it in my Bible. Seems I was more disciplined back then than I am now!
So here they go
1. Starting my day off with the Lord- Yes, I do start my day off with the Lord with daily prayers in the car ride to school drop offs.....but I am not getting in The WORD like I should on a daily basis. I can talk to God all day long, but I am not getting the full affect of his plan for me by not following up my listening to HIS WORD through reading the Bible.
2. Listening to my kids more- We are pretty good about have FAMILY TIME in our house. We interact and play with our kids alot.......but we are really bad about not just sitting down and listening to the kids. You know, just the conversations.
3. Learning to cook- My mom is a fantastic cook, so it's bound to be in my genes, right? HA! I do cook some and most of what I do cook is good, but the menu I have is very slim. Due to the kids being younger and having different preferences, I had no need to cook nice meals often. But now they are a bit older and can enjoy home cooked meals (not mac n cheese and nuggets). So my mom will be teaching me more of how to cook this year! YAE!
4. Getting more organized- Being a stay home mother, I kept a very organized and clean house. But once I started working, I had to give up some of my "hang ups" just to get by day by day. So I am not as organized and the house is not as clean. But now that I am a part time Children's Minister, I am finally finding that I am having some extra time to get the house back in order. Sure hoping it is not too late to start over:)
5. Healthy Lifestyle- Just tonight I noticed how we had a long chocolate covered rice crispy treat on the table. Gabe wanted this for dinner but he was not allowed any until he ate the majority of his dinner. So he finished dinner and got a PIECE of this treat. Just a few hours later, I have noticed that without my knowing, the other two kids ate the rest of the crispy treat. These eating habits have become the norm in my house. This is not good. So we will not be purchasing as many treats in 2009.....treats will not be a everyday MUST HAVE.
6. Losing and KEEPING my weight off- I can no doubt lose weight. I have twice....but I am having a problem learning to maintain. So I am going to get back into shape and learn to maintain my healthy weight with the help of my cousin who will be my trainer. YAE!!
7. Children's Ministry- With my new job, I have had no training and with the economy in such a slump, I expect that I will not get the opportunity for conferences and such. Therefor, I will need to get creative and find ways of learning how to do this job to the very best of my capabilities. I will be visiting churches, learning to network more with others in the children's ministry, and doing a lot of online training and reading this next year. This new job for me has much more to offer than just the simple planning from week to week..........WAY more. I am ready to learn how to implement more for HIS KINGDOM and how.
8. Nagless- HA! How do you like that word? This one is for my husband. I don't want to be a nagging wife. I need to learn how not to nag and be more of a positive and encouraging spouse. LORD, help me on this one! HA!
9. Acknowledging Friendships- Life gets me so busy that I tend to put my friends last, which is not right. Friendships are treasures........and I need to treat my friends that way. Therefor I want to take more time to be with my girlfriends, old and new:)
10. Money- Todd and I have done a great job of slowly getting out of debt and learning to spend way less. But we still live paycheck to paycheck. I would like to SAVE money wisely and not touch it. SAVINGS for the JUST IN CASE scenarios of life!
Well 10 resolutions. I am going to print these out asap. And look forward to sharing in a year how this were accomplished!
Happy New Years:-)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Counting the Blessing of Christmas
I thought it would be fun to make a list of the people, things, and events that happened this year to make Christmas so special.
1. All the home baked goods from our special friends. I am sure my boot camp that I will start soon will take care of all that extra, extra weight! LOL
2. The Christmas carols and Christmas stations that are continuously playing in my suburban, on my TV, and at my office the whole month of December.
3. The decorations in all the homes I visit and in my own house.
4. Lights that decorate many houses up and down the streets.
5. The cold weather that makes it feel like Christmas (rare in Texas most of the time).
6. For my sister in law and brother in law and their kids that drove 2 straight days to spend the Christmas holiday with us (Tanya, Ron, Reagan, and Tex).
7. For all the family get togethers.
8. For all the good food!
9. For the time I was able to spend with my brother, Grady, and his precious son, Hayden.
10. For my own three kids.
11. For our pets....old and new.
12. For the look of surprise on the faces of the children and joy of opening presents with the kids.
13. For Tex and Gabe's priceless role of playing as Indaina Jones and Buzz Light Year on Christmas Day.
14. For the sweet gifts that my kids made or bought for me (Zander got me a "real" big diamond with his birthday money, Addie got me a Christmas Tree candle, and Gabe made me 4 marbleized magnets for the frig)
15. For the huge mess that Santa brings
16. For Santa's kisses
17. For the days off work and just hanging out with the family.
18. For hours of fun playing with the kids and their new toys.
19. For the outfit and jingle bell collar that Santa dressed Ranger in over night.
20. For the health of those we love so much (still waiting to hear about Louie's spells)
21. For an absolutely wonderful mother and father in law (so blessed that they are just down the road from us. I even work with my father in law).
22. For all the sweet children on our street that keep coming over to show and tell what Santa left them.
23. For my internet and computer that allows me to blog about this.
24. For slouchy, baggy clothes that allow me to snack more often that I usually would.
25. For the TV that was given to us from some special friends.
26. For sleeping in till 10am on the day after Christmas.
27. For the elf that left yesterday and who has returned to the North Pole with Santa until next December.
28. For the good weather the last two days that has allowed the kids a couple of days to play with their new toys outside.
29. For the trash men that come to collect the bags and bags full of trash left over from Christmas Day.
30. For the life that I am living..
But most importantly, I am so blessed for the truth of the Christ Child who was born to be my Saviour on the first Christmas.
1. All the home baked goods from our special friends. I am sure my boot camp that I will start soon will take care of all that extra, extra weight! LOL
2. The Christmas carols and Christmas stations that are continuously playing in my suburban, on my TV, and at my office the whole month of December.
3. The decorations in all the homes I visit and in my own house.
4. Lights that decorate many houses up and down the streets.
5. The cold weather that makes it feel like Christmas (rare in Texas most of the time).
6. For my sister in law and brother in law and their kids that drove 2 straight days to spend the Christmas holiday with us (Tanya, Ron, Reagan, and Tex).
7. For all the family get togethers.
8. For all the good food!
9. For the time I was able to spend with my brother, Grady, and his precious son, Hayden.
10. For my own three kids.
11. For our pets....old and new.
12. For the look of surprise on the faces of the children and joy of opening presents with the kids.
13. For Tex and Gabe's priceless role of playing as Indaina Jones and Buzz Light Year on Christmas Day.
14. For the sweet gifts that my kids made or bought for me (Zander got me a "real" big diamond with his birthday money, Addie got me a Christmas Tree candle, and Gabe made me 4 marbleized magnets for the frig)
15. For the huge mess that Santa brings
16. For Santa's kisses
17. For the days off work and just hanging out with the family.
18. For hours of fun playing with the kids and their new toys.
19. For the outfit and jingle bell collar that Santa dressed Ranger in over night.
20. For the health of those we love so much (still waiting to hear about Louie's spells)
21. For an absolutely wonderful mother and father in law (so blessed that they are just down the road from us. I even work with my father in law).
22. For all the sweet children on our street that keep coming over to show and tell what Santa left them.
23. For my internet and computer that allows me to blog about this.
24. For slouchy, baggy clothes that allow me to snack more often that I usually would.
25. For the TV that was given to us from some special friends.
26. For sleeping in till 10am on the day after Christmas.
27. For the elf that left yesterday and who has returned to the North Pole with Santa until next December.
28. For the good weather the last two days that has allowed the kids a couple of days to play with their new toys outside.
29. For the trash men that come to collect the bags and bags full of trash left over from Christmas Day.
30. For the life that I am living..
But most importantly, I am so blessed for the truth of the Christ Child who was born to be my Saviour on the first Christmas.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Heart of My Grandmother!
If you have been reading my blog, you are already aware of the happenings in my family on Christmas Eve. But I wanted to share something that I want to stick with me for the rest of my life.
A little history first...... since before my time, the Lewis's (on my dad's side of the family) has gotten together for years and years every Christmas Eve. During this time we eat lunch together, sing carols together, let the children exchange gifts, and a play a crazy gift game that can last well over an hour!
When I was younger we spent the majority of the day at my Grandmother and Granddaddy Lewis's on Christmas Eve. But now, that we are all grown and have so many different places to go, we have shorten the get together to about a 3-4 hour event.
After our small feast, we usually get together to sing Christmas carols. We used to all group together and film ourselves singing, but our group has well outgrown the wide lens. So now, the four Lewis children will stand in the middle of the group to lead us as we all sing. You will notice these four in the video.......my dad is the youngest and the loudest!!! HA! Love it!
This year when we sang, I couldn't help but notice my grandmother (86yrs old) swaying softly and listening with her eyes closed the entire time. I knew she was in a MOMENT........and I could only imagine. Later in the evening, I spoke with my brother in law about that MOMENT and he said that she had told him after our singing that she was hearing her late husband in her grown children's voices (Granddaddy passed away in March of 1999). I know my Granddaddy was there with us in spirit! And I know he would be very proud of his family and just as my Grandmother is too!
Here is a little video of a climpse of a my family that is truely blessed!
A little history first...... since before my time, the Lewis's (on my dad's side of the family) has gotten together for years and years every Christmas Eve. During this time we eat lunch together, sing carols together, let the children exchange gifts, and a play a crazy gift game that can last well over an hour!
When I was younger we spent the majority of the day at my Grandmother and Granddaddy Lewis's on Christmas Eve. But now, that we are all grown and have so many different places to go, we have shorten the get together to about a 3-4 hour event.
After our small feast, we usually get together to sing Christmas carols. We used to all group together and film ourselves singing, but our group has well outgrown the wide lens. So now, the four Lewis children will stand in the middle of the group to lead us as we all sing. You will notice these four in the video.......my dad is the youngest and the loudest!!! HA! Love it!
This year when we sang, I couldn't help but notice my grandmother (86yrs old) swaying softly and listening with her eyes closed the entire time. I knew she was in a MOMENT........and I could only imagine. Later in the evening, I spoke with my brother in law about that MOMENT and he said that she had told him after our singing that she was hearing her late husband in her grown children's voices (Granddaddy passed away in March of 1999). I know my Granddaddy was there with us in spirit! And I know he would be very proud of his family and just as my Grandmother is too!
Here is a little video of a climpse of a my family that is truely blessed!
Monday, December 22, 2008
No Place Like Home
Last night was one of the best nights I have experienced PERSONALLY in a long time. I have currently taken on a new job that I am sooo very new to. I am a children's ministry director. The papers say "minister", but I have to admit, I am not 100% comfortable with that. I think it is because I am soo NEW to this. This job is not something I went looking for or even planned on, but in another blog someday, I will tell you how God totally took this in his own hands. I had to obey and do as he wanted. Being a teacher for all my adult life, I am so very "elementary" at this job. But I am patient and know that God will teach me how to implement His plan!
Last night, I had the opportunity to take several families from the children's ministry to a local nursing home. This nursing home is very dear to me. First of all, I grew up in the church that founded this nursery home and was and still is attached to the facility. During my youth I spent many of days going to visit these people and have great memories of taking residents to and from church every Sunday. This place is my HOME church! Where I learned about God's love for me!
Anyhow, the families met in the dining hall and we passed out cookies, visited, played Bible Bingo, and sang Christmas carols. It was alot of fun! But much to my suprise, I met up with residents that I once new as elders or members of my HOME church from my childhood. It was soo good to see these sweet people that were once so dear to me and a part of my life, but it was also a bit sad. The loneliness is a reality to some of these folks. Life is SHORT! Very short! The night was much more a blessing to me than to them, I am sure of it!
After that we met at the church and went Christmas caroling. It was 20 something degrees, and to be honest with you, I was NOT looking forward to it. But, it was amazing to be with a group of believers, in the freezing cold, with my children, singing songs to complete strangers. As we stood on the outside of the dark houses, I couldn't help but wonder "What is happening right now in there?" "Were they suffereing" "Were they happy?" "Where they scared?" Every house and every family had it's own story! That I am sure of! But what I loved so very much for that moment was the story of my own house! I have so much to be thankful for!
We may not have much when you look at us on the outside. Small house, 3 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, two old vehicles, nothing that special. BUT IT IS SPECIAL! My house is full of love, laughter, peace, and joy. We have warm beds and warm clothes. We have food in the pantry and the frig. We have clean water. And we have each other. And most importantly God is with us in our house!
Tonight, amazingly enough, my house is clean. It won't be tomorrow! Not with 3 kids, 2 dogs, and family arriving. But that is okay. I look around it right now and I am so thankful! God is soo good! So very good! There is no place like home.........
Last night, I had the opportunity to take several families from the children's ministry to a local nursing home. This nursing home is very dear to me. First of all, I grew up in the church that founded this nursery home and was and still is attached to the facility. During my youth I spent many of days going to visit these people and have great memories of taking residents to and from church every Sunday. This place is my HOME church! Where I learned about God's love for me!
Anyhow, the families met in the dining hall and we passed out cookies, visited, played Bible Bingo, and sang Christmas carols. It was alot of fun! But much to my suprise, I met up with residents that I once new as elders or members of my HOME church from my childhood. It was soo good to see these sweet people that were once so dear to me and a part of my life, but it was also a bit sad. The loneliness is a reality to some of these folks. Life is SHORT! Very short! The night was much more a blessing to me than to them, I am sure of it!
After that we met at the church and went Christmas caroling. It was 20 something degrees, and to be honest with you, I was NOT looking forward to it. But, it was amazing to be with a group of believers, in the freezing cold, with my children, singing songs to complete strangers. As we stood on the outside of the dark houses, I couldn't help but wonder "What is happening right now in there?" "Were they suffereing" "Were they happy?" "Where they scared?" Every house and every family had it's own story! That I am sure of! But what I loved so very much for that moment was the story of my own house! I have so much to be thankful for!
We may not have much when you look at us on the outside. Small house, 3 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, two old vehicles, nothing that special. BUT IT IS SPECIAL! My house is full of love, laughter, peace, and joy. We have warm beds and warm clothes. We have food in the pantry and the frig. We have clean water. And we have each other. And most importantly God is with us in our house!
Tonight, amazingly enough, my house is clean. It won't be tomorrow! Not with 3 kids, 2 dogs, and family arriving. But that is okay. I look around it right now and I am so thankful! God is soo good! So very good! There is no place like home.........
Saturday, December 20, 2008
What a Great Day!
Every now and then we just have a really good day. And today, I can say I had one. No, it wasn't expected or planned. It just happened. And to be honest, it wasn't even an exciting day of events or activities.....
First, I finally got a day to sleep in till 9:08am. YES! I usually wake a 6:20am every morning Sunday-Friday........so Saturdays are special to this momma! And no one even tried to wake me up for food, questions, or help. AHHH! So nice!
Then we sat for a couple of hours watching TV and waiting on our HDTV technical guy to get here. Once this man got here, we took the WHOLE family outside for an hour of work in the backyard (it ended up being 2hours). We picked up ALL the trash, which I am soo sad to admit we filled 3 cans up. We added new fencing to our old fence so our new dog, Ranger, can not get out. We also cleaned the porch and put all the things back in their proper places. OH....how good it feels to have a clean back yard! And Ranger LOVES not being supervised or on a leash to go outside now!
Next, my super husband made us hot links and hot dogs on the grill. We were all starved by this time, so hot dogs and chips were perfect. Then we spent the next two hours relaxing and letting the kids play freely.
We also had a few little visitors, Tucker and Savannah, who came over for 2 hours. The kids played while I made cookies and supper. I made over 150 cookies to take to the residents of Hilltop Haven nursing home tomorrow night. Yes, the kids did sneak a few for dessert. But what I really enjoyed during this time was the smell of the cookies cooking, the kids laughter while playing with the dogs or making crafts at the kitchen table, the sound of the last load of laundry drying, and the Christmas music in the background. This is when it dawned on me that I was having a great and perfect PreChristmas day. So much was accomplished today without any frustration or ordeals! This is so rare in a house of 5 people. My house is some what clean, laundry is done, cookies are made, the fence is fixed, the TV is hooked up right, and things are starting to get organized again. I even got a few packages wrapped. It seems everyone in my family helped out today which made a huge difference and was actually fun! I am convinced we need more days like this!
Now, too bad the Dalls Cowboys didn't have a good day like we did:-(
First, I finally got a day to sleep in till 9:08am. YES! I usually wake a 6:20am every morning Sunday-Friday........so Saturdays are special to this momma! And no one even tried to wake me up for food, questions, or help. AHHH! So nice!
Then we sat for a couple of hours watching TV and waiting on our HDTV technical guy to get here. Once this man got here, we took the WHOLE family outside for an hour of work in the backyard (it ended up being 2hours). We picked up ALL the trash, which I am soo sad to admit we filled 3 cans up. We added new fencing to our old fence so our new dog, Ranger, can not get out. We also cleaned the porch and put all the things back in their proper places. OH....how good it feels to have a clean back yard! And Ranger LOVES not being supervised or on a leash to go outside now!
Next, my super husband made us hot links and hot dogs on the grill. We were all starved by this time, so hot dogs and chips were perfect. Then we spent the next two hours relaxing and letting the kids play freely.
We also had a few little visitors, Tucker and Savannah, who came over for 2 hours. The kids played while I made cookies and supper. I made over 150 cookies to take to the residents of Hilltop Haven nursing home tomorrow night. Yes, the kids did sneak a few for dessert. But what I really enjoyed during this time was the smell of the cookies cooking, the kids laughter while playing with the dogs or making crafts at the kitchen table, the sound of the last load of laundry drying, and the Christmas music in the background. This is when it dawned on me that I was having a great and perfect PreChristmas day. So much was accomplished today without any frustration or ordeals! This is so rare in a house of 5 people. My house is some what clean, laundry is done, cookies are made, the fence is fixed, the TV is hooked up right, and things are starting to get organized again. I even got a few packages wrapped. It seems everyone in my family helped out today which made a huge difference and was actually fun! I am convinced we need more days like this!
Now, too bad the Dalls Cowboys didn't have a good day like we did:-(
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Gabe's Christmas Program
Tonight we had the opportunity to see our youngest, Gabe, perform in his first big Christmas program. I was very impressed with my little man, as he wasn't shy at all. I say this because just a couple of months ago his class did a chapel presentation and Gabe froze. He knew what to do but went into stage fright once he saw all those people in the audience. So he just stood straight and never looked at anyone or said anything. Then at Thanksgiving, he did well. I could tell he was getting a little more comfortable with being on stage. But he still looked a bit nervous and talked somewhat low. Tonight he was actually on the front row and knew exactly what to do and when to do it. He was so confident and his smile was not forced at all.
Now, grant it, these are preschool children sitting in this area in these seats, so they did not have MAJOR parts. But they did sing, stand, and have musical motions with the songs. It was very cute. Gabe was so sweet by smiling at us and then talked about it all night afterwards! He was proud of himself. I think he felt like a BIG kid. I am proud for him too:)
Gabe is the one on the front row, right above that green plant at the bottom of the screen.
Now, grant it, these are preschool children sitting in this area in these seats, so they did not have MAJOR parts. But they did sing, stand, and have musical motions with the songs. It was very cute. Gabe was so sweet by smiling at us and then talked about it all night afterwards! He was proud of himself. I think he felt like a BIG kid. I am proud for him too:)
Gabe is the one on the front row, right above that green plant at the bottom of the screen.
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