Home Sweet Home

Well, close anyways! Nick is finally back on US soil! They just landed in Chicago a few minutes ago. Rough landing they said but safe! They are hoping to catch an earlier flight into STL. Either way, in just a few short hours...I will have my husband back!

For those of you that are confused to where he has been and why nothing has been said...I will post more later! In short, he has been in Africa on a mission trip and I didn't say a lot online because I didn't want just anyone to know that I was home alone with the girls. I know I am a psycho over-protector! :o)

Well, we are off now! Will post more soon!

Bless Her Heart

Mya is me all over again, bless her heart! That includes my accident prone capabilities. The poor kid bumps into more things and gets hurt more than I think Ally ever has in her 5 years of life. In the last three weeks (or so) she has:

- been to the emergency room for a dislocated elbow (Nurse Maids Elbow) that occurred while playing with a cousin

- bumped her head on the side of the bath tub

- gotten her finger smashed in a screen door and is in the process of loosing her nail

- got a whelp on her eye from Marlin's leash

- burned her finger on a lamp in her bedroom

It may not sound like a whole lot...but it sure feels like it. I feel like I am constantly consoling her from some type of injury. She is more daring than Ally ever has been so maybe that is why these things tend to happen. Bless her heart, she is just her mother's daughter!

Rambling Thoughts

I have tried to sit down many times over the last week and the words just don't come out. I have lots of things going on in my mind but can't seem to form full thoughts. Please forgive me if this post seems like rambling, because that is what it will be...just warning!

*I am feeling sad and a little lonely.

*God is definitely stretching me and growing me, and the growing pains kind of hurt.

*Sometimes our prayers are answered, but not in the way that we ask. His will is far better than ours, but as a human being I can't help wondering "Why?".

*I am fighting against being depressed.

*I am fighting the urge to eat through my emotions.

*The above things make me sound whiny and pitiful.

*I am so blessed! I am surrounded by wonderful friends and family that love me and support me!

*My husband is an awesome man and seeing God stretch him and grow him is awesome and painful at the same time.

*Our girls are amazing. They drive me crazy at times, but they are so precious!

*God sends people just at the right time, by a phone call or a visit. I am thankful that he reminds us of His love through other people.

Faith

Last Sunday, our preacher addressed the topic of faith. His message really hit home with me. I have to admit, I tend to be a worrier. That said, I am much better about not worrying that I used to be. I feel like his message was intended just for me. Those Sundays can be so overwhelming...you know the ones I am talking about. The Sundays where you feel like it is just you in the church or that the preacher is looking right at you and speaking directly to you! That message was preparing me for the days ahead, where I would be tempted to worry.

This week, I am being stretched a little...or maybe a lot. God is wanting me to trust in Him and to lay my worries down. I have been reminded many times this week (and it is only Tuesday) to not put my trust in others but in God. Instead of worrying, I have been looking for scriptures that will lift me up out of the worry and help me to fully put my trust in the Lord. I found this verse and wanted to share it!

Psalm 146:5-6 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

I am so thankful that I can put my trust in God and lay my worries at His feet. He will remain faithful forever!

Entering Another Stage

While we are on the topic of life stages with kiddos...Ally has her FIRST loose tooth! She is super excited about it and will tell anyone who will listen! Yesterday, she pointed out her loose tooth to an elderly couple that was in the checkout lane behind us! It is pretty wiggly...so it shouldn't be long until the tooth fairy comes for a visit! Exciting times for our family! :o)

Could It Be?!?

Two nights in a row now, Mya has gone potty on the big girl potty. She is very interested in the potty and gets very excited when she goes! Tonight, upon another success, she yelled, "YAY ME MYA!!!" Could this be the beginning of another stage in her life? Could it be the beginning of the end for diapers in our household? We shall see! My baby girl is growing up...there is no denying that!

My Heart Melts...

every time I see my kids playing with other kids, especially these sweet kids.



Yesterday, my heart was overflowing with joy from watching all of the kids interact.



I pray that they will always be close. That they will always help one another. That they will be good examples of God to others.



I am so thankful that my children have Godly friends and family that they can enjoy time with and grow up with!





I consider myself a very blessed momma!

Ash, thank you for raising such wonderful kids and for loving my kids!

Beautiful Differences

It is so awesome to sit back and look at the difference in personalities between Ally and Mya! They are pretty much night and day and have been since the very beginning!

Ally - didn't move much while I was pregnant with her. In fact, we did many non-stress tests and were hooked up to the fetal monitor to make sure she was ok!
Mya - kicked and rolled and moved and squirmed CONSTANTLY!

Ally - very mild tempered as a baby. Was sleeping through the night when she was approximately 3 weeks old. Fussy times were few and far between.
Mya - my little drama girl! Loved to be held and would definitely let you know when she was unhappy. I think she started sleeping through the night around 5 months...I was a little sleep deprived so I don't remember the exact date! :o)

Ally - more reserved and very much so a rule follower. Could tell her once not to do something and she never did it again.
Mya - believes that rules were made to be broken! I can tell her a million times not to do something and she goes right back for it.

Ally - definitely a little nurturer! She is very caring and concerned about others' needs and feelings.
Mya - free spirited and loves to be the life of the party! She loves to make people laugh.

My girls are so different, but those differences are absolutely beautiful!

I love you girls very much! I thank God daily for sharing you with me!

Being Thankful

This is a BIG thing in our household! Nick and I want our girls to be thankful for anything and everything that they have. We talk often of God's blessings and how He wants us to be thankful. Today, I had to take an outfit of Ally's back to the store. My aunt bought it for her and it didn't fit. I found a shirt to exchange it for and left. When I picked Ally up today, I showed her the shirt that I had gotten in exchange for the outfit that didn't fit. You would have thought that I had given her the moon. She just thanked me and thanked me. Then later when we got home and she saw the shirt again, she ran up, hugged me, and said, "I just wanted to say thank you again for getting that shirt for me!" My heart melted!

I must admit that I am guilty of not being as thankful as I should be for all of the countless blessings that God pours out on me. I pray for the thankfulness that Ally showed today! It was something small and yet she was so very thankful! Isn't it funny how much we can learn from the very children that we are teaching!

Thank you, Ally for reminding Mommy to be thankful...even for the small things!