Love My Planner

I have a homeschool organizer called "The Well~Planned Day" and I love it. Not only because it helps me be more efficient, but I love the encouragement inside. There are stories, scripture, quotes, etc. It's just so good! Check these quotes out:

You can always tell when you are on the road to righteousness - it's uphill.
-Ernest Blevins

When a Christian ceases to grow, he begins to decay.
-Clate Risley

Of two evils, choose neither.
-Charles Spurgeon

Christianity is either relevant all the time or useless anytime. It is not just a phase of life; it is life itself.
-Richard Halverson

I'm Fasting

Don't freak out on me. It's definitely not food!
Last night as I laid awake with insomnia, I was convicted of my interest in celebrities. After praying and repenting, it seemed I wasn't quite done. I needed to do something to break up my connection with Hollywood. I decided to fast. One month without checking People.com (or any other similar site).
Ever since Biscuit was a toddler, I haven't bought any magazines that I thought would be inappropriate for little eyes. She couldn't read, but it didn't matter to me. Instead, I've been able to satisfy my interest in "stars" by checking out People, etc. In addition, having a consistent quiet time has been one of my struggles for the last few months and it's really bothered me. I can tell a difference in myself. I concluded that my desire to know the latest whatever and my lack of discipline in doing devotions may be connected. If I'm not carving out time with Him, then I don't have time to waste on that stuff. It's a bad habit that I need to break.
I also recently listened to a sermon by Mark Driscoll on "The Truth and the Lies in Worship." He discusses this topic and God really used it to open my eyes. I don't feel like I'm idolizing celebrities, but I've definitely had too much interest in their lives.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I'm called to write His Word on my heart, put it in my mind, and have it in my mouth (and I can with the help of the Holy Spirit). Basically, I've just not been doing that diligently and it's time.

Jackpot

Our home computer is being finicky, so I can't get online. That's annoying. Shane plugged his up so I could edit a grammatical error on my blog. Before he let me get to blogging, he scrolled through his endless stash of pics. I couldn't believe all the pics of our family that he has been hoarding (storing, whatever) on here. So I decided that this is my chance to put some up. I don't have these on mine. I'm not very computer savvy, so they may never be. Some of these may be old, but you'll get over it.

Playing Catch-Up

Since it has been almost an eternity since I last blogged, I will give you the cliff notes version of our fall. Back in September we found out that we are pregnant. It was a bit of a surprise after so many (it felt like so many) months of no's. We obviously were thrilled, but we wanted to see how this one went before sharing it with our kids or families. After several tests confirmed that this one was progressing better than the last, we told our kids. Tater cried...she was overcome with joy. The boys were happy, too, and now they all take turns predicting the sex. It's pretty sweet.


Usually when I'm preggers, I have one rough week and then it's smooth sailing. Not this time around. It has been the hardest one by far! Both the exhaustion and the nausea have been like all my others combined. Shane has taken care of bedtime most nights when I am stuck to the sofa. I'm so thankful that he's been in town and so willing to help me do whatever I've needed. Now, if he can just take over cleaning the shower...LOL


We are almost through the first trimester. Things should be getting back to "normal" and I'll just be a bigger version of myself. I'm ready to not be asleep before I see who gets the boot on "Dancing w/ the Stars" and to load the dishes without being grossed out! This little one is due in May. Perfect timing for (hopefully) wrapping up my school year and then getting to take care of a newborn over the summer.


Other than the pregnancy, our lives are pretty much the same. November is the beginning of the slammed weekends and holiday stuff for us. Even though our kids currently aren't in sports, with b-days, ministry socials and life, we are busy bees. Our Biscuit has a birthday this month and I'm working on making it really special for her. We also are planning a social to get our Care Group together this month. Then it's Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and next thing you know it's December.


Ahhh, but back to November. We had some family pictures done a couple of weeks ago. Denise is family (Shane's aunt) and she was ultra patient with our brood. It's nearly impossible to get all of us looking good in one shot. Such is life. Last year, one of our cut backs was Christmas cards. It was the first time in so many years that we didn't send them out. This year, we are going to use the pictures that Denise took of us to make our cards and hopefully get them out by the end of the month. I thought I'd share one w/ you. By the way, it's good to talk to you again. Oh yes, that's kids I hear yelling and rough-housing in the background...must run!