SO blessed to be doing life with this incredible man......
Saturday, August 22, 2015
And happy birthday to this handsome guy!!!
SO blessed to be doing life with this incredible man......
Monday, August 17, 2015
Transitions
This summer is one of transitions.
We are transitioning as a family to having one less in our daily homeschool.
Our oldest is transitioning to college.
My husband and I are transitioning to being parents of a young adult.
Very soon we will transition to having only one daughter in the house instead of two.
Lots of changes.
In my quiet moments I have been reflecting on these changes, and finding strength in the Lord to face them. Almost no change is instantaneous. Like a road trip whose destination is known but whose journey is not, they are gradual shifts, with pitfalls and emotional peaks along the way. They are at the same time bitter and sweet. I am so excited for daughter G to go to college, but I am going to miss her so much. I am thankful the Lord has allowed us to finish the home school journey with her, but will miss planning out her school years. I am grateful for the years we have been allowed to parent and disciple her on the road to adulthood, but I can't quite believe our years of active parenting (of her) are coming to an end. She is going to have a full, rich life at college. That is good. But it is going to be so strange to not have her here at home, and in my humanness the anticipation of her absence doesn't feel good.
When I was growing up, my mother would often tell me and my sisters that feelings should be the caboose of our life, and faith should be the engine. Feelings are very real, but they are not necessarily true indicators of reality. How much better to base my life, by faith, on the God who is real and on what His Word declares to be true. I am God's child and precious to Him, whether I feel like it or not. He is sovereign and the one in charge, whether I want Him to be or not. He does love each of my children more than I do and is working for their good, whether it seems like it or not.
Throughout my life I have had many opportunities to exercise my faith muscle, and sad to say, I have not always done so. At times my emotions have gotten the best of me. But here I am, with more opportunities to trust. To live by faith. And I want to! I find the cry of my heart to be, "Lord, I trust You. Help me to trust You more!"
He is faithful.
He is loving.
He is good.
These are realities. My feelings will change. We will get through these transitions and life will go on, with new challenges and new emotions. But the reality of who God is, the truth of His Word, and how He interacts with me....these will never change! Thank you, God.
"....the Word of the Lord endures forever." I Peter 1:25
We are transitioning as a family to having one less in our daily homeschool.
Our oldest is transitioning to college.
My husband and I are transitioning to being parents of a young adult.
Very soon we will transition to having only one daughter in the house instead of two.
Lots of changes.
In my quiet moments I have been reflecting on these changes, and finding strength in the Lord to face them. Almost no change is instantaneous. Like a road trip whose destination is known but whose journey is not, they are gradual shifts, with pitfalls and emotional peaks along the way. They are at the same time bitter and sweet. I am so excited for daughter G to go to college, but I am going to miss her so much. I am thankful the Lord has allowed us to finish the home school journey with her, but will miss planning out her school years. I am grateful for the years we have been allowed to parent and disciple her on the road to adulthood, but I can't quite believe our years of active parenting (of her) are coming to an end. She is going to have a full, rich life at college. That is good. But it is going to be so strange to not have her here at home, and in my humanness the anticipation of her absence doesn't feel good.
When I was growing up, my mother would often tell me and my sisters that feelings should be the caboose of our life, and faith should be the engine. Feelings are very real, but they are not necessarily true indicators of reality. How much better to base my life, by faith, on the God who is real and on what His Word declares to be true. I am God's child and precious to Him, whether I feel like it or not. He is sovereign and the one in charge, whether I want Him to be or not. He does love each of my children more than I do and is working for their good, whether it seems like it or not.
Throughout my life I have had many opportunities to exercise my faith muscle, and sad to say, I have not always done so. At times my emotions have gotten the best of me. But here I am, with more opportunities to trust. To live by faith. And I want to! I find the cry of my heart to be, "Lord, I trust You. Help me to trust You more!"
He is faithful.
He is loving.
He is good.
These are realities. My feelings will change. We will get through these transitions and life will go on, with new challenges and new emotions. But the reality of who God is, the truth of His Word, and how He interacts with me....these will never change! Thank you, God.
"....the Word of the Lord endures forever." I Peter 1:25
Saturday, August 15, 2015
And he's off!
Today son L flew to Washington to spend some time with my parents and my sister's family. He is actually still on the plane as I type, and we are excited to hear later that he successfully found his grandparents in Seattle! haha It is his first time to fly alone. Sort of a rite of passage in our family. We are thrilled for him to have this opportunity, and so, so, so thankful that he was able to go. We love you, L!
Edited to add: he just called! He landed!!! Now to collect his bag and find grandma and grandpa.
Edited again to say that he connected with grandma and grandpa. Let the wild rumpus begin!
Edited to add: he just called! He landed!!! Now to collect his bag and find grandma and grandpa.
Edited again to say that he connected with grandma and grandpa. Let the wild rumpus begin!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
College Dorm Room Shopping!
Yes, this really happened!
Can't believe the time is upon us to get our daughter prepared for dorm living, but it is, and I am SO EXCITED for her. At times, I am more excited than she is. ;)
We went to about three different stores, but spent the bulk of our time at our trusty neighborhood Target.
I had researched. I had a list!
Daughter G felt slightly overwhelmed by my list.
I put my list away and began gently suggesting things on it (because I had it memorized! haha)
We survived the shopping trip and had tons of fun being together. We talked a lot about what college life might be like. She already knows her schedule, so she thought out loud about when during the day she would be able eat meals, when she could make it to the dining hall, and when she would need to take her own food and eat on the fly. We talked about her room-mate assignment (she let the university match her with someone) and in fact she and her room-mate texted back and forth quite a bit while we were in Target. They decided they don't want matchy-matchy, but coordinating colors, so daughter G felt free picking out the comforter, sheets, and towels that she really liked. It was so interesting to see her choices.
Such a joy to have a front row seat as she transitions from childhood to adulthood. I know that move in day will be hard for me, because I am going to miss seeing this beautiful girl-woman every day, but I am choosing to focus on how much we know this college is God's plan for her, and how thankful we are to have had the privilege of raising her, and how much we know God loves her even more than we do.
I am thankful to be this girl-woman's mom.
Can't believe the time is upon us to get our daughter prepared for dorm living, but it is, and I am SO EXCITED for her. At times, I am more excited than she is. ;)
We went to about three different stores, but spent the bulk of our time at our trusty neighborhood Target.
I had researched. I had a list!
Daughter G felt slightly overwhelmed by my list.
I put my list away and began gently suggesting things on it (because I had it memorized! haha)
We survived the shopping trip and had tons of fun being together. We talked a lot about what college life might be like. She already knows her schedule, so she thought out loud about when during the day she would be able eat meals, when she could make it to the dining hall, and when she would need to take her own food and eat on the fly. We talked about her room-mate assignment (she let the university match her with someone) and in fact she and her room-mate texted back and forth quite a bit while we were in Target. They decided they don't want matchy-matchy, but coordinating colors, so daughter G felt free picking out the comforter, sheets, and towels that she really liked. It was so interesting to see her choices.
Such a joy to have a front row seat as she transitions from childhood to adulthood. I know that move in day will be hard for me, because I am going to miss seeing this beautiful girl-woman every day, but I am choosing to focus on how much we know this college is God's plan for her, and how thankful we are to have had the privilege of raising her, and how much we know God loves her even more than we do.
I am thankful to be this girl-woman's mom.
Sugar Update
I am on day16 of 48 days of no sugar. I *have* had sugar cravings, but they are not overwhelming, especially if I am intentional about getting lots of protein and making sure that most of my carbs are of the complex, high fiber kind. I have no afternoon "slumps" and have also, serendipitiously, lost ten pounds!! Yippee!
I have cut out Snapple, sugary cereals, cookies, ice cream, syrup (on pancakes), and sugar in my tea.
I have added eggs for breakfast virtually every day, loads of snacking on raw veggies (my favorite is sugar snap peas), homemade sugar-free chocolate for my sweet tooth cravings, and lots and lots of water. (I drank water before, but now it is almost all I ever drink)
So far, so good! Lord, help me to stay the course!
I have cut out Snapple, sugary cereals, cookies, ice cream, syrup (on pancakes), and sugar in my tea.
I have added eggs for breakfast virtually every day, loads of snacking on raw veggies (my favorite is sugar snap peas), homemade sugar-free chocolate for my sweet tooth cravings, and lots and lots of water. (I drank water before, but now it is almost all I ever drink)
So far, so good! Lord, help me to stay the course!