Family Musings

After talking to my mom on Thursday about how miserable I was feeling (and how miserable I had become to be around), she offered to come down on Friday afternoon and take Charlotte away so I could get a handle on my environment. In the 3 hours they were gone I transformed my downstairs into a breathable space. I was even able to move the dining room table and vacuum really good underneath it. It felt so good to sit down to dinner with them and feel good about having "company" in my house. I briefly considered posting before and after pictures, but no one should have to be subject to the horror that was my downstairs! So you will just have to take my word for it. :) Thanks G-ma and Grumpy! Your visit meant a lot to me and I know Charlotte had fun with you at the museum.

It is true... I don't functionwell  unless I have a block of uninterrupted time each day to just be, or veg, or do whatever I want to do. Recently, my days have been arranged so that I am not getting that. I am not getting the nap time in the middle of the day to relax and make my home a haven. My house has become so overwhelmingly chaotic I really don't know where to start when all I get are 10-15 min intervals to even try. Each thing that needs to be done needs at least 30 minutes. It is making me cranky. I yelled at Charlotte today. I don't really think I've ever done that before, at least just not like I did today. I even sent a mean text message to my husband because I thought he was ignoring me. He wasn't, he just had a meeting after school and hadn't had time yet to reply to my earlier messages. Those last 2 events opened my eyes to how out of whack I am right now. It isn't just being tired or just being pregnant. I need to take some me time and...

This giveaway is now closed. I am giving away 1 copy of the children's book Everything We Need to Know About National Security We Can Learn From Our Kids along with a matching toddler t-shirt. This book is not available to the public, you can only win it online. This book is based on the grown up version of National Security Mom Why Going "Soft" Will Make America Strong . When I first heard that title, I just knew I was going to hate the book. Why should we be "soft" on national security issues?! Then I realized the author was more interested in moving us out of "reactive mode" then letting terrorists vacation in Hawaii. The author, Gina Bennett, is a Senior Counterterrorism Analyst and a mother of five. She saw the lessons she was teaching her children and realized they were applicable in broad terms to the war our country is fighting to remain safe and stable. If only we had been able to "clean up our mess," "tell the truth,...

I've been sitting on this announcement for a while because I wanted to make sure there was enough content to make it worth your while, but I think we are ready now. Drumroll please.... Bruce and I (mostly Bruce) have started a new blog called Living a Wartime Lifestyle . Inspired by John Piper's book, Desiring God , we want to explore with our friends and readers what it means to live in a way that gives God all of the glory. If you aren't familiar with what we mean by " wartime lifestyle ," then click over to watch a short video . Bruce shared the following in the introduction, Christians, Piper explained, should live with a focus on using their resources to win the spiritual war; we should live to fund missions; we should live to fight poverty; we should live to maximize the glory of God and our enjoyment of him forever. My hope for this blog is that Christians who desire to live wartime lifestyles can share their ideas, theologies, encouragements and st...

I dare you to watch this video and not be moved by the powerfulness of this experience. Mars Hill Church | Downtown Baptisms from Mars Hill Church on Vimeo .

I remember during my first pregnancy that I took a lot of naps during the first 3 months, but geez, I seem even more tired this time around. It could have to do with waking up with Charlotte a few times a night I suppose. That being said, I might not be around too much for the next 4-5 weeks while I get through this part of the pregnancy. I need all of my energy for taking care of my family and there is barely enough to do that. So... if you have called me, left me a message, sent me an e-mail, or commented on a post, please don't be upset if it takes me a long time (and I mean like 3-4 weeks) to get back to you. I assure you they are piling up in my inbox as you read this. :)

Due to the steroids my mom is on, she needs to take insulin a couple of times a day. We have yet to find a good solution for packing her testing and dosing supplies. The insulin needs to be kept cold and we'd like one pouch/package that will hold the insulin, needles, alcohol swabs, and if possible, also has room for her testing supplies. I've run out of luck searching online, but know that other people must have found something similar. If you know of anything at all, please contact me through my About Me page, or by leaving a comment on this post. Thanks!