More of Him

I used to always struggle with my daily devotion time.  It just always seemed like I would get side tracked when I got up or overslept and the day was already going.  I knew it was necessary for me to set time aside specifically for the Lord.  But doing it was another thing. 

Over the past few years I feel like I have finally got it.  That doesn't mean that I still don't have my days.  I think we all do.  We are all a work in progress.  None of us have arrived yet.  But it certainly is more a part of my daily routine now.  I force myself to get up when my husband does.  Some days the girls get up early too, but they know now that if I'm doing my Bible study they need to occupy themselves until I'm finished.  It makes such a huge difference in my day when I begin it in His Word.

I finished reading Beth Moore's book, Breaking Free, last week.  I knew a lot of what she said already but it was nice to refresh my memory on some points.  Taking our thoughts captive to Christ is so important.  Satan sends so many ungodly messages our way each day.  We have to be ready to take them captive and not allow those thoughts to take us captive.  I used to always struggle with the fear of being alone.  Last year my husband was away for several weeks due to work and there were a couple nights that I had true panic attacks.  It was awful.  I have always prayed about my fear, but never really felt like anything changed.  After those really bad nights, I began praying a different way.  I still asked for God's total deliverance of my fears and I added in for my thoughts to be the thoughts of Christ.  I am so much better today than I was then.  I can stay by myself now without the overwhelming dread of nighttime. 

God is so good. Whatever we need of Him, if we ask, He will give it to us.  We just have to remember that God works on His time table and not ours.  God used those insecurities that were in me to teach me many lessons.  He will allow us to go through things that are hard in order to make us stronger. 

Psalm 19:14  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Family Fun Night

James told the girls that one of our new things to do for 2008 was going to be having a Family Fun Night.   Every odd dated Friday is going to be our night.  No TV, no computer for anyone.  The girls will plan the meal and cook it for us.  Then we will have family devotions and play board games or something else the rest of the evening.  We are always together other nights too, but sometimes it seems like one of us is on the computer, one is doing something else and the girls are playing off by themselves.   I am excited that this will be one night when we are all five involved in the same thing.  And it's going to be nice not having to come up with another meal! 

Our first FFN was last Friday.  The girls decided to fix grilled cheese sandwiches and soups.   They did a great job and had lots of fun doing it.

When we were finished eating and cleaning up the kitchen, James did a devotion on sowing what you reap.  I'm not sure if they fully understood the concept, but they got that if you do bad things, you will have bad consequences.   And if we do things that God is proud of, we will have good consequences.

We played an alphabet game and bingo game that Lil got for Christmas from Mammaw.  The girls really had a great evening and so did Mom and Dad.  I cannot wait for the next one.

How They Sleep

When James and I were heading to bed the other night, we checked in on the girls on our way.  As you know, all of our girls share a room.  They have bunkbeds.  Lulu and Monkey takes turns sleeping on the bottom bunk with Lil.  So as we checked in on them this is what we found.

X marks the spot!

My Baby's Officially a Preschooler

I say that with mixed emotions.  Lil is 3 today.  She is still so soft and cuddly but definitely not a baby.  Lil is the typical third child, or at least I think she is after talking to many parents of 3.  She is outgoing, very funny, always up for something new, and ever so sly .   Lil adds so much adventure to our lives.  Some days I'm not very happy with the type of adventure... but it is adventure none the less.  For example, you remember the pantie flushing, the time she stuck a CD in the computer -- not the CD drive, actually inside the computer, the multiple times she has painted on parts of her body rather than paper, coming out of the bathroom only half dressed ---- at church!, and her latest adventure happened just two days ago, she flooded the bathroom.   The list could go on and on. 

Even though she can be a tad rotten at times, she is still a sweetheart.   I lost a baby between Monkey and Lil.  At that time we found out that I have endometriosis and my doctor was not sure how easy it would be to have another baby.  When I look at Lil I am reminded of the faithfulness of my God.  He blessed us with her and she is nothing short of it.  We are blessed to have Lil in our family. 

Lord I thank you for Lil.  She is such a sweetie.  She never ceases to bring a smile to my face.  Thank you for choosing me to be her mommy.  Help me to raise her to serve You, to become the woman You created her to be.  Show me how to shape her character.  You knew just what James and I needed by giving us Lil.  I give You praise for her health.  She is Yours Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lil's birthday is extra special because it is Daddy's birthday too!

I am so thankful for this man.  God saw my heart and He gave me exactly what I wanted.  James is a wonderful husband.  He loves me even though he knows me.  He works very hard for our family and so I can be home with our girls.  He is the leader in our home.  When it comes to being a Daddy, well, he is the best!  Our girls know he loves them because he tells them multiple times each day and backs his words up with his actions.  They have no room for doubt.  And they are all three Daddy's girls.  If they have to make a choice between us, it is hands down Daddy.  And that is okay with me.  I know how secure their futures will be because of their relationship with him. 

Happy Birthday my sweet Lil! 

Happy Birthday Daddy from all your girls!