Having a Servant Heart

The past couple of days I have had it laid on my heart that I needed to really focus on teaching my children to have a servant heart. I have been feeling like they need to focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus and having a heart that wants to help people. I know as a mother you need a heart that wants to serve. I see this missing sometimes in churches and I just felt like it needed to be taught in our home.

Well Yesterday we went to GoodWill and donated a huge load of items that we no longer needed. The kids had fun helping get everything ready and didn't complain about what Mom was giving away. When we were finished with Goodwill we decided to go have lunch. We were turning onto the freeway when we say a man holding a sign that said "WILL WORK FOR FOOD." I told the girls if we had some food we could give it to him. I then went on to tell them that Jesus tells us to feed the hungry and help the needy. I told them that when we get to heaven He will ask,"How come you walked past me when I was hungry?" I also told them that he knows our heart and he knows when we want to help but can't.

So then My husband said, "well we just helped cloth a bunch of people today." That made the girls feel good about giving their stuff away. One child said," We gave them shoes so their feet won't be sore." I could see that they were understanding what we were trying to teach them at that moment.

At the restaurant we were all finishing up and my 5 year old said," Mom I don't want the rest of my french fries because I want to go give them to that man." I said, "that is very nice honey but that is not the way we go home." I told her " Jesus knows your heart and he is very pleased." The other children started telling us that they wanted to give that man some of their food also. My husband said, " Well let's get a box and put everything in it that you want to give him and he will have a feast today." They were all so excited and wanted to quit eating and give the rest of their food to that stranger on the street.

On our way home we went back to the on ramp we saw him at and he was not their . My husband drove around the area and we couldn't find anyone. Then we looked over in an area that had grass and trees and it looked like someone was sleeping there. He pulled over and walked down to the area and gave the person the food. When he came back to the van he told us he thinks the person was sleeping so he just laid it down by them. The children were so happy because they believed they had found that same man. Well later that night when we were going to bed my husband said,"I don't think anyone was sleeping there today he thought it was just a bunch of old blankets." I told him,"That's o.k. Honey God say your good dead and he knew your heart was in the right place."

I am so thankful that God gave us this opportunity today to teach our children the act of serving someone and how simple it can be but how good it makes you feel.

Thankful Thursday

I seem to always be a Day late with this post so I will try to be on time next week with it. I am thankful for many things this week as I try to have an attitude of Thankfulness at all times ( Remember I said try). This week I am thankful that the weather has been nice and we have been able to do things other than just sit in the house and stare at each other. This week we were able to go to the zoo and the kids really enjoyed being outside. The other thing that I am especially thankful for is that I am really beginning to feel alive again. The pregnancy has gone into the stage of being enjoyable. And the final thing that I am thankful for this week is just being alive, and able to see all of God's creations and feel his unfailing love that is so unconditional.

Out of the Mouth of a 4 Year Old

This is really short but it is also very cute. Last Wednesday night our two oldest daughters got baptized. The younger ones were very excited and asked if they were going to be able to watch. I told them,"Of course you will I wouldn't want you to miss this." The four year old had heard us tell the other ones that they would be submerged under water but it would be very quick.

So Wednesday night when Daddy walked in the door he was greeted by the four year old who was jumping up and down and was very excited to tell Daddy something.
This is what she told him: " Daddy we are going to church tonight because the big girls are going to get their face dunked under water." We all just stood there in the kitchen and couldn't help but laugh. These are the moments that make being a mom the best job ever.

Fellowship with Friends

Friday night we had a wonderful couple who we have gotten to know quiet well invite us out to dinner. We though to ourselves that would be nice to fellowship and get to know some more people at our church.

We all met at his little bed and breakfast that was absolutely beautiful. There were nine total and my husband and I really only knew the couple that had invited us. From the moment we got there until the moment we walked out of the door we had a grand time. The conversations were so rich I wanted the night to never end. I loved being with all of these people. We did not just talk about the weather and minimal things, we spent time talking and sharing and learning from each other about our Lord. It was awesome. My husband and I left there saying we have never been with a group of people who were not afraid to talk about deep issues. All of these couples are about 10 -15 years older than us and I see such wisdom in all of them.

To end our wonderful night we came to to a very awesome babysitter. This young lady is 16 years old and my children absolutely love her. She is a woman of God already. Her ministry is to babysit for couples so they can get a break and she does not charge anything. This Friday night I tried to give her some money since she watched our kids for 6 hours and she just looked at me and said, " I won't take that I get paid by my job and that is what my job is for." Remember she is only 16. I thought what an awesome girl she really is just wanting to serve and help people out. My husband who doesn't really pay attention to these kinds of things even said something. He came home and said, "Wow she is a great kid. I told her thank you for watching the girls for us and for staying so late for us." This is what she said,"That's O.k. You deserve it. I hope you guys had a good time." I just want to tell her mom you are doing a wonderful job raising your children to love God and serve him.

So that was our wonderful night that we had fellow shipping with friends.

Thankful Thursday

Well as all of you can see I am a day behind but I still wanted to say what I am thankful for.

This has been a grand week for our family. Our two oldest daughters got baptized on Wednesday night. I think about what this week represents for Christians and I think God could not have planned their baptism at a better time. I also learned from my girls that this was the time for them to be baptized and if they had not obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit they could have missed this wonderful experience. My oldest told me that she had that tugging in her heart but she didn't want to have to do this in front of people. Daddy talked to her and he said you need to keep praying this is your decision to make not Dad and Mom's. A few days later she came to me and told me mom it's not about me it's about Jesus so I need to do this. If we all could be so obedient when the Spirit prompts us.

The 9 year old knew right away she prayed and said she just knew that her heart was telling her to do this. I was so proud of both of them, Not for getting baptized but being still enough to listen to the Spirit of God and obey. I pray for both of them that will continue to be obedient in their walk and live in the full Glory of Jesus Christ.

The other thing I am thankful for is that the same man who led both of these girls to the Lord also was their to be with them as they washed their old away and their new beginning began that night. Who was that man you ask? It was their earthly Father who loves them dearly and is shepherding them along their path of life. Thank you God for blessing this family with a Godly man who puts you first in all areas.

And finally I am thankful for the debt that my saviour paid for me so I can live eternally with him in Heaven.

Sister Sleepover's

I really can not remember when we started doing this with the girl's but I know it began sometime when we lived in Phoenix. A sister sleepover is really no big deal but the girl's think it is the best thing next to ice cream from Dairy Queen.



So the other night they cam to me and asked me if they could have a sister sleepover and first I said, "No." Then I thought to myself what is the big deal if they all sleep on their bedroom floor. You see this is what a sister sleepover is to them. They make one big bed on the floor and that is where they all sleep. So I said, "O.k. , but I want you to make sure you pick up all the blankets first thing in the morning." They all yelled, "Yes Mom." They were so excited. We ate dinner and since Dad was out of town that night I figured I would even let them stay up a little later than usual. After dinner and kitchen clean up they were gone. I didn't see them the rest of the night and when I went down to check on them and pray with them they were all sound asleep.



Now the funny thing about this sister sleepover is the fact that they all share the basement as their bedroom so I figure they have a sister sleepover every night. They don't see it that way though. If this is what makes them happy it makes me happy that they have learned at a young age to make their sister's their best friends. Boy they are going to have a great group of friends when they get who will always be their for them. God sure knew what he was doing when he designed our family.

A Day Out

Saturday afternoon I went to the city and did the much needed Easter shopping. One thing was different this year I took a special friend with me. My oldest daughter came with me so we could get her new Easter shoes. We had such a great time. For some reason it seems like I don't get to spend as much quality time with her as I do all the others. I sometimes think it is because she is very easy going and just goes with the flow.

Well on Saturday we spent all day together and it was like I was getting to know her all over again. She is only 11 but she is growing into such a beautiful young lady. We talked and laughed and she shared some of her concerns with me. Just little things but it was nice to be able to talk.

When we got to Jc Penny's to get her Easter shoes we found out that she no longer fits into the kid's sizes, so we headed over to the adults. Boy was that a treat. We looked for over a half an hour for just a plain white pair of flats. The guy that was helping us was very patient unlike Mommy. I really though we were not going to be able to find anything so we decided to leave. Just as we were walking by the last display we say them. A plain white pair of flats. They even had them in her size. Thank goodness the shoe tragedy had been taken care of.

We were off on our next adventure to find Easter candy. We decided to go to Target because she had money and she wanted to buy her self some flip flops. That was an easy find. As we headed down the Easter isle of course she was oohhing and aahhing over all the cute little packaging ideas and then she say the prices. She was so cute because she would say, " $2.99 for an Easter bunny that you are just going to eat in one day." I told her things aren't cheap and that is why mom and dad don't just buy you guys everything you ask for. By the end of the shopping trip I found out that I have a very frugal little 11 year old.

We ended our day out by having dinner together and we had a wonderful time. We went to Rubby Tuesday's and had the salad bar and their mini burgers. I think the thing I loved about us being at dinner together is how I really enjoyed my time with her. I didn't feel like she was bugging me and I really got to focus and listen to what she had to say. I know she is my daughter but I had just as much fun spending the day with her as I do spending with my girlfriends.

Thank you Lord for opening up my eyes and letting me see my little girl in a different light.

The Heartbeat

Today was the day. This is always a special day in our family and as the children grow they seem to get more and more excited with each new baby. I told the girls last week that the midwife would be coming and we would be able to hear the heartbeat. They were so excited they started counting down the days.

When she got to our house this evening all of the girls sat on the floor and waited patiently for her to do what she needed to do. And then it was time. All the little ones climbed on the couch with mommy and the older ones sat as close as they could possibly get. Then we heard it. That fast little sound which was our little babies beating heart. You could see their eyes light up and even feel their excitement.

What a wonderful sound that was not only for the children but also for mommy. I feel like it is the first time my little child is saying "hello" I am right here. The feeling I get every time is the same. I t is the first of many milestones I will encounter with this child. I couldn't ask for a better Monday.

An Answered Prayer

O.k. this is a little hard to explain but I will try my best.

I have had my last three babies at home and have absolutely loved the experience. This time I called the midwife who I used last time and told her we were expecting again so we scheduled my first appointment. Well at my first appointment she let me know that she has four of us due in 3 days. That didn't really bother me until she told me how far apart we all lived. One lady lives 7 hours from me. Last time we used this midwife she had an apprentice who only lived an hour from us so we felt o.k. about the decision.

So lately I have been wondering if this is the right decision or should we look for someone closer. A friend of mine has a midwife she is using who only lives and hour away and only takes one mom a month. I need to let you know that The first midwife drives about 4 hour so she does charge gas along with her fee. Which I completely understand. So the other factor for looking at someone else was to help save us a little bit of money.

Well yesterday I found out that the Midwife who is an hour away is still open for September. This is where my dilemma started. I sat and pondered what I should do and who I should use. I called a friend and she said pray about it and ask God to have Marc show you who you should use. I did this but also knowing my husband, I thought to myself he will just tell me to use who I am comfortable with.

When Marc got home last night we put the kids to bed and sat down to talk about this situation. I began to tell him about the other midwife and he immediately said," Why are we going to leave a Midwife who we already have a relationship with ?" He continued on to say," All so we can save a little money? " I was shocked to say the least. The last thing he said was," I just don't feel comfortable with that."

I didn't have much to say after that because I always thought my husband was more like, you make the decision you are the one who has the baby. I was shocked but also relieved because my heart really wanted to use my previous Midwife I just wanted to help us save some money.

I now know without a doubt who will be delivering this baby and I Thank God before hand that he will take care of the rest of the details. He is such a faithful God and he really does want the best for his children.

Thankful Thursday

Well it is Thursday again and I like the idea of having an attitude of being thankful.I am thankful for many things but this week I wanted to focus on the little things that make us happy that we forget about some times.

-I am thankful to have a house full of Bibles, and I can read them whenever I want.
-I am thankful for being able to jump in my car and drive five minutes and have a grocery store that I can walk into and buy whatever my heart desires.
-I am thankful for many friends whom I have met through blogging. You all have made me laugh and cry and sometimes I feel like I have known you my whole life. Thanks all of you who put a smile on my face. Have a great rest of the week and maybe next week some of us can be thankful for warm weather.

Getting Fat All By Myself

O.k. this week has been very interesting for me. My husband and both of my parents decided to start doing Weight Watchers. You ask what is the big deal about them doing Weight Watchers? Well I will tell you. I am now 13 weeks along in this pregnancy and am really feeling great. I want to eat food all the time and it is not always healthy either. I have been so good this pregnancy and really do want to stay healthy but what fun is being pregnant when you can't splurge, because you have everyone else around you eating carrot sticks and celery.

So guess what I did last night when hubby went to bed. I went to the store and got peanut butter cookies and Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream. I sat on the living room couch and ate two cookies and had half the pint of ice cream all by myself.

And guess what?

It was Awesome.

Then I decide to read my sister's blog and she is working on losing weight also and so is my really good friend in Texas. I am so proud of all of them.

But I have decided I will just have to get fat all by myself this pregnancy. I will enjoy all of those yummy treats while I sit alone on my big red couch.

Don't feel to sorry for me though it really is not going to be that bad.

So all of you out there getting in shape I will be right there with you in about six months.

I am so Glad It Is March

Well the title about says it all. I am so glad that we have started a new month. I am feeling great and for the first time in about 6 weeks I can say I feel like doing things. My children have been so patient and have taken such good care of me this pregnancy. I am a very blessed mama. We have started our Spring cleaning this week and it feels so good to have all the windows open and the music on and all of us working together.
I was thinking a couple of weeks ago how I did not think I would ever feel good again and that I never wanted to do this to my body again. Well I was wrong. I hope that this is not the last baby that God blesses us with because I would greatly do this again. I know you all are thinking get through this pregnancy before you start thinking about another one. I just believe that God has really opened my eyes to how blessed we are and how children are a blessed gift from him.

Thank you God for opening up my eyes to your beautiful gift of life. Not only my children's life but also my life.
I know March is going to be a great month.