Life is funny

It has been a while.  As I write this, I should be working.  But working is over-rated!  ha!

Since I last posted, this little guy came along:

Paxton is a joy and blessing.  He is very curious and animated.  He doesn't slow down.
These two, adore him:

(and selfies)

Could they be any cuter?

Sure, looking at these pictures, it all seems warm and fuzzy and happy.  But parenting is hard!  We have had one sickness after another since mid December.  It is exhausting, frightening, and nerve-wracking all at the same time.  Add in a husband who works a lot, and a business that still needs to be run and you will see one stressed out mama!  But, I can do all things through Christ...that is what I keep reminding myself.

When I have a rough day (which is about 4 days a week!) I cut myself some slack.  Fast forward 2 weeks and I have a VERY messy house and a lot of work on my plate!  Does anyone else feel my pain?

Well, I don't have much time left before wee one wakes up.  I pray you are all finding God's blessings, even in your difficult days.

God bless,
M

Hello out there?

Wow...it has been ages since I blogged!  I wonder if anyone of my 5 followers even checks my blog anymore!?!  ha!

Life has been busy.  I wish I was that kind of woman who could do it all:  keep a nice house, make creative meals, be a smart/savvy business owner. 

The reality is I am a mess.  I can't focus for very long on any one task these days.  I am in the middle of my 3rd trimester.  Yep, you heard right.  Baby #3 is on the way.  God has a way of making sure you know His plan is in action.

For about 2 years I had been praying.  I was asking God if another child was in the cards for us.  I suffer from post part em depression.  It was bad enough after my second child that I really thought I would never do this again.  LISTEN UP!  PPD is not wanting to harm my children, or abandon them, that is a whole different condition.  Never once did I want to avoid the joy and responsibility of being with my babies.  I was just depressed.  If you have ever been depressed, you know the awfulness of being overwhelmed, outside of yourself, and lonely. 

So, I prayed.  I couldn't make any firm commitment to altering my, or my husband's, reproductive organs.  I felt that because I couldn't make that decision, God might have something else planned for us.  He did.  SURPRISE!

I am excited for this new journey.  I have had several prayer sessions to ease my anxiety of what may come after the baby arrives.  I feel 100% that God is in this, and he will not abandon me.

May God bless you and keep you!

M

Oh, Hey there!

Long time no post!  I have been really busy.  The kids are growing like weeds.  I swear Max has grown 3 inches in the last month!  Lexi is just growing in to a little lady.  She is really excited for summer and swimming.  Max pretty much just talks about monster trucks, workin' with daddy, and tractors. 

I have been training to be an aerobics class instructor.  It is time consuming and nerve racking, but I am sure it is worth all of it!  Kevin has been extremely busy working working working.  He is so good at what he does, he just makes me prouder every day.

This is just a quick update.  I will post again soon with some pictures and some fun!

God bless!
M

1st Thursday

Whew!  I made it!!  I made it through my first EVER full fast day : )  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Every time I felt really hungry, I just took a drink of water and prayed for someone.  God sure filled me up when I thought I was on completely empty. 

Many good folks in my church are doing a full 21 day fast much like my Thursday (that is what the church calls for).  Some are doing the Daniel Fast (http://www.ultimatedanielfast.com/2009/08/foods-to-eat-on-daniel-fast.html).  Some are fasting from things that just hold too much control over them.  I truly admire what people are giving up for this Fast. 

The idea of this fast is to spend more time focusing on God and prayer and less time on earthly things that tie up too much of our time, energy, thought life, etc.

I am thankful that the Lord showed me I could get through a day without food!!  I am thankful for the time away from Facebook to lift loved ones up in prayer and consideration.

One major prayer I have is for my sister-in-law, Kinze.  You should read her blog.  She is an inspiration.  No matter what is going on in her life, she is always full of joy and good spirits.  She is truly admirable.  I don't think I have ever heard her complain about anything!


href="http://www.joshandkinze.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x334/schillingtimes/schillingbutton.jpg"/>

Read her blog and you will see.

Prayers and blessings,
M

2012...
I am looking forward to what this year will bring to me and my little family.  I didn't think I would be doing resolutions this year.  But...

Our church does a fast every January.  21 days of fasting and praying.  This fasting can be exactly as you think of it - no food.  Just juice and water for 21 days.  However, they stress really making it personal.  If you feel led to only do the Daniel Fast (fruits and veggies) that is cool, or only fast one meal a day, or fast only one day a week.  Or use it as a time to withhold from something that maybe has more control over you than God would like.  Which leads to things that take me away from God.

1.  Facebook.  I have vowed to stay off of Facebook for the rest of the month of January.  I spend way too much of my day browsing and posting.  I don't have that much to say of great importance.  And the time I spend on Facebook could be used to have time with God, work harder on my household duties, work harder for my business and husband, etc.  You get the point.

2.  Food/weight loss/etc.  I would say a good portion of my day is spent thinking about food, how many calories are in the food I eat, how much I will have to work out to work off what I ate.  I track what I eat online, and I look up food and the "nutrition" of it far too much.  So, I have decided to take Thursdays off from eating.  I will be full out fasting every Thurs. for the rest of January.  I don't know if I have ever gone without food, other than when having surgery or something like that.  I am going to use Thursday to pray extensively.  I pray everyday, but while fasting I will pray for more and in more depth.  One prayer will be for God to break that bond that food has over me.

I am excited to see where this will take me.  I am excited to see how this can be used to glorify God.
I sure hope I have enough faith to get through this.  It may seem simple to you, but it is extraordinarily difficult for me (especially the food front!)

Feeling blessed by God,
M

Merry Christmas - 2011

 Merry Christmas! 

 We wish you the happiest of holidays.

 May this Christmas be a wonderful time celebrating our Lord's birth.

 We hope wonderful memories are made with your families and friends.

This "Santa" was mad because he was supposed to be off work after our kiddos, but the store didn't stop the line from forming after us...needless to say, he was a "BAD SANTA!!"

God Bless!
Enjoying every blessing,
M

Where does the time go?

Today is my little Angel Girl's 4th birthday!

 

  4 years!  Where have they gone?  My heart is a little sad, thinking maybe I didn't appreciate each moment enough as it has happened. 

However, I am so overjoyed with the beautiful little girl we are raising.





Lexi is smart, too smart sometimes. 

She is funny, I mean crack-you-up funny.  She has a smile that makes everyone else smile, and wants everyone around her to be happy.

Lexi is a friend.  She always wants to help others, and be liked - and she genuinely likes people!!

I am so proud of my outgoing, friendly, chatty little mini-me.  I pray that the Lord always keeps her on His path and that she is filled with a heart for Him.

God bless you, baby girl - or should I say BIG girl? *sigh*

 Enjoying every giggle, whine, cuddle, sass, and kiss,
M