Inventory

Making: A sad attempt at cupcakes over the weekend.  They imploded.

Cooking: Brown rice and green peas.  Trying very hard to do well with my gluten-free eating.

Drinking: Nothing at the moment.

Reading: Several things at once.  A few books on my Nook, a Mary Higgins Clark novel, and doing a few Bible studies.

Wanting: To not have a headache every day.  Hopefully my change in eating will help that.

Looking: At my clean apartment that I spent all morning working on.

Wasting: Food.  I only eat half of everything in order to keep my weight down.  Sometimes I save it to eat later but sometimes I just trash it.

Wishing: We could get a house-but it will all happen in due time.

Enjoying: Spring Break.

Waiting: For Dan to get home so he can fix the TV so Miller can play video games.

Liking: Being able to have the windows open so that the fresh air can come in.

Wondering: If my headaches will ever stop.

Loving: My awesome family.

Hoping: My kids grow up with a string sense of faith and a strong sense of self.

Marveling: At how independent my kids are becoming.

Needing: Nothing.  Life is good.

Smelling: Nothing much.  My nose is pretty stopped up due to allergies.

Wearing: Fleece pajama pants and a tank top.

Following: A few shows on Hulu.

Noticing: How tightly my jaw is locked.

Thinking: How blessed I am to have such an amazing life.

Opening: Boxes that keep arriving with birthday presents for family members.

Giggling: At the kids trying to make a cake by themselves in the kitchen.  (Don’t worry, several older kids are supervising.)

Feeling: Hungry.  It’s about time for a snack.

Appreciation

I'm back!  Haven't really had much to write about recently so I figured better to wait it out than write about something insignificant just to take up space. So, over the years Dan has had several crises of faith.  He goes through ebbs and flows of going to church regularly to not even wanting to set foot in the door.  A lot of these latter instances occur when he has lost a job or some other negative life experience has put him at odds with God.  Each time I pray that his faith will be renewed.  Recently, as I posted a week or two ago, we have all started going to church as a family.  I am aware that the devil attacks us when we are strengthening our faith.  This most recent attack came in the form of us getting our hopes up of possibly getting a house toward the end of the summer.  Dan did some research and found out we have to wait two more years before buying a house will be possible.  I prayed to God that this news would not shake Dan's faith.  I am so appreciative that his reaction has been one of positivity and optimism.  He is taking the news well having the attitude of, "Let's see what doors this opens up."

Rambling...With a Purpose

So normally I start trying to lose to compete with a certain person in my life.  usually there is an upcoming event where I know I will see her so I get my tail in gear and start working out like crazy and really watching what I eat so that I will feel better about myself when said occasions roll around.  This time things are different.  I get up at 5:30 am for me.  I do it because I know if I don't I will regret it later.  I do it because I want to set a good example for my children.  I do it because I know if I don't do it first thing in the morning I will feel lazy later in the afternoon.   I do it because I feel stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  I am a better me because of it and therefore I can be a better wife, mother, and friend in return.

Sweet Little Angel

So I always gently offer opportunities for Dan to join the kids and me at church and church functions but never push too hard.  This past Sunday morning was no exception.  After I was dressed for church and the kids were getting on their finishing touches I perched on the edge of the bed and let Dan know our plans for the morning and when we would be back.  Lorelai sweetly came in and asked Dan if he would come with us so we could go to church as a family.  He got up, took a shower, and she beamed as she and Dan walked into the sanctuary together.  God worked a miracle through a little angel named Lorelai this past Sunday.

Prayers Answered Slowly

So ever since we have been married Dan's faith has been in a constant process of ebbs and flows.  Sometimes he attends church regularly and others he doesn't want anything to do with going.  When we first started dating we would have devotion time together, but that quickly dissolved.  There have been times when I tried to push/nudge him to have faith and trust God but very often he requires proof in order to believe.  Lately the kids and I have been going to church, both for Sunday services, as well as for other events sponsored by the church.  I always extend an invitation for him to join us but he has yet to accept.  Yesterday he had to move some money out of savings back to checking for some unforeseen expenses.  Normally that would have caused him to be a bit disgruntled at our financial difficulty.  This time he totally released the stress and even ended up finding unexpected cash in his wallet to pay for his dinner when he went to trivia last night.  He told me it was because he let go of the "penny pinching and was rewarded for having faith that the money would be there."  I am so excited at this turn around the corner in his walk with God and am praising God with all of my heart.

A Fresh Start

So today I got up early and did a killer workout at 5:30 am.  I decided no cheating on my eating...period.  So far so good, except that I seem to have some kind of stomach bug and can't keep any food down anyway.  Really glad I got my workout in before I started feeling sick.  Hoping it will  go away by tomorrow morning so I can keep up a good routine.