Entering the Next Chapter

Today was a day of attack and victory.  This morning even waking up seemed to be difficult. My body was physically worn down. My eyes felt like little weights sat upon my eye lids. My joints ached and made the sounds of an old wood floor, creaking and cracking with each small movement. My energy was on its last bit of battery. In general it was a difficult day to begin with.  Abbie seemed to be under a bit of attack as well. She was extremely emotional and was crying throughout the day. She had an indecisiveness about everything and filled the air with grumbles and complaints. In general she was just unpleased with life.  Elizabeth must have stolen the energy that I was missing because she, like the Energizer Bunny, kept going and going and going and going and going. She was getting into everything. A trail of mess followed her everywhere along with screeching sounds of annoyance. She must have called me hundreds of times when I was sitting right there with her in her room playin

Tomorrow is election day and this comes with great stress and great relief. I don't know who will be placed in authority over what. I don't know who our next president will be, I don't know what laws will be passed, and I don't know which local people will be representing who. The things I do know is that tomorrow there will be a lot of conflict. There will be a lot of fighting and  quarreling. Tomorrow will be a day of great stress and concern for many. Tomorrow night will also be a time of great divide in our country when one person will be elected and another will not. One thing I do know for certain is that God knows. Tomorrow nights results will come as no shock to God.  I do have a set of political beliefs but I do not openly discuss them, not out of fear of what some may say, but because I believe that my focus should be on unity with my brothers and sisters. I know strong Christians on both sides of the spectrum. I believe that this is their personal choice an

So we have come down to the final day of the blog challenge and although I have begun the next challenge, I am still slightly sad that this is over. I can't believe that I actually did it though. I followed through and accomplished something. So for the final post on this blog challenge the question is pretty deep.  List 5 things you would hope to be remembered for. 1. Being a godly woman. I just think it would be the most awesome thing to be remembered for. My daughters are the ones I really want to think of me in this way.  2. Being completely real and honest with others. I don't want to be known for having secrets. I don't want all those skeletons to come falling out of my closet as they close the casket. I don't want people to see me as another quote on quote Christian. I want them to see me as someone who has fallen many times but has the grace of God covering all her flaws.  3. As being a good friend. A real true friend who loves you just as you are, but a

What is the thing you most wish you were great at? I wish I was great at emotionally separating myself from situations when it comes to disciplining my children. I see my mom handle it with such grace, peace, love, and dignity. She is able to correct and discuss without becoming emotionally involved. She would spank us and not be angry at our actions. Maybe she was just better at hiding her frustrations, maybe we just pushed her to her breaking point, or maybe she just has this way of handling things.  Sometimes I get angry, frustrated, tired, annoyed, and disappointed. I try to hide my feelings and handle things with grace but I know that sometime I can be transparent.  Do you get angry or feel like you would lose your cool with your child?                                                                        What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive? Wow, this one cuts deep doesn't it... If I told the most difficult thing I have ever had to for

One of my Blogging friends mentioned this in her  blog. I thought it sounded interesting. Basically you write little letters to people, places, or things that are brought to your mind that day.  So here it goes....  Dear Husband, Thank you for being so flexible with me when I am always changing the plans and my mind. I know it frustrates you but I appreciate your patience.  Dear SRC (School Refund Check), Please come in the mail today. I have already planned the many ways that you are being spent. Thank you in advanced for providing a date night with the hubby.  Dear Eb, I am so proud of all the new things you are beginning to do. However, just because you can walk all around doesn’t mean you have free reign of the house. You can’t just leave rooms and wander the house.  Dear Abbie, I love you!!! I do Not love your sister more than you. I know that it can be tough having a baby sister. I am so proud of how you are handling things and you are the most amazing big sister

I was just at a dear friends house for BBQ. I noticed that my friend was trying to let Eb walk on her own but was scared that she might fall. Just a week ago I was feeling that way.  I loved this picture. Even though it is so simple, it says so so much. You can see the anxiousness in my friend hands trying to safe guard Eb. You can also see how oblivious Eb is to my friend.  I think one of the toughest things a parent does it finding the balance protecting their child and enabling their child to be independent. I don't think this can be learned once. I notice that I face this particular struggle often. It begins as they are infants. You want to let them walk on their own, but you don't want them to fall. I remember following Abbie around and holding her up as she walked. When a friend told me that it is not only ok to let Abbie fall, but it is actually beneficial. She needed to learn how to take a tumble and how to hold her balance. As they grow they learn new skills an