An online find, or two. :)

Hi friends :) I'll spare you from the millions of pics I've been sharing lately. Can you tell that I adore my new camera?! What fun I've been having with it! Ah, what a blessing...still gives me goosebumps!

I wanted to share something I read online today, especially if you have daughters - it's fantastic and kinda made me tear up a bit. The post is called, "24 ways to prepare your young girl to become a lovely woman", and was from the blog "Club 31 Women". Check it out here.

 

I haven't gotten to dig into the blog a ton yet, so I'm not sure what else is there - but, was so encouraged by that post! And, I needed this reminder and know I'll need it again and again. :)


And on a totally different note...
Back to my new "toy". I think I'm going to jump on board and take this "challenge" here soon! Though, I might tweak it a bit.

 

Anyone wanna jump on board with me? :)

 

Florida: Part 3

I got a little bit of a tan today! And, let me say - Thank you - to those of you who have been praying for me and my children. Today was great and my kids seem to be back to "normal". My hubs and his dad made the trek north up to the Gospel Coalition for the next few days, so its just the girls and I and my mom-in-law here at the house.

We kept things pretty laid back for our first solo day at home. The girls and I picked up a small pool from Family Dollar and we just stuck close to home. The weather continues to be wonderful! 

Tonight grandma took us to a local play ground and the girls loved it!

So thankful to be here. :)

Florida: part 2

It's been kind of a rough day for this gal. I'm beat. Tired. Drained.
My girls are out of sorts, to say the least, and my brain hurts just remembering how the day went. It felt like we went from one tantrum to the next to the next to the next... you read me. Even after a 3+ hour nap - still, difficult.

But, it's still Florida. It was a hot and sunny day and I still have reason to praise and give thanks!

Like, these guys. Teeny, little, lizards that just scamper around. They are so cute, kinda.
And, so much beauty in creation. Even the patterns on the palm trees make me smile.

And, most of all - this guy. 

He's by my side and working with me all the time. He is a gift and I love him.

 

Obviously the angle on this shot is not ideal. But, while the girls were napping it was fun to snap a pic of just the two of us. :) 

Florida: Part 1

Tonight I'm sitting on the floor of my in-laws house. The men are watching basketball, my children are asleep, and it's a calm Saturday night. We have officially spent our first full day here in Florida. It's good! I'm not sure if I'll do many posts while down here, but, we'll call this part 1 just in case. :)

After waking up at the bright and cheery hour of 3:30am yesterday, stepping into the airport at 4:30 and onto a plane at 6 - most of the day was a blur. The girls did a fantastic job of traveling and baby girl even slept for almost the entire second flight! My biggest girl did struggle with her motion sickness - and we are looking into new options as the Sea Bands don't seem to cut it anymore. :/

This morning I sat on the back porch with a hot cup of coffee, my bible,  and... wait for it... this. 

Yes folks. It's glorious, warm, wonderful sun! What an awesome way to start the day. Never mind that I sat right next to a papaya tree, or got to hear the sweet giggles of two well rested and excited little munchkins. :)

 {early game of throw the golf ball, anyone?!}

The papaya tree...and a very curious big girl.

So anyway. Days 1 1/2 are in the bag.

Yesterday while we were still in the Orlando area we made a pit stop at a place called Disney Downtown. It's kind of like the real Disney...only, FREE! Lots of store fronts and even a carousel ride. I learned a few things. 1) My kids are still a little young for Disney, if we even ever go. 2) Life is more enjoyable if you are rested. Blessings to my MIL for entertaining our extremely cranky 4 year old while we were there. 

My handsome traveling companion :)

 Legos! Our newest exploration.

 Little one loving so many "babies". Look at the bags under those tired eyes!

 This is the face of sheer grump-o-ness. Good thing she's cute!

 Little and Papa watching "pish" at Rain Forest Cafe.

 -> this is actually at the airport, but, keeping with the theme, thought I'd share. :)

Happy Saturday and here's to a great week!

Legos: I blame myself.

If you peruse pinterest at all you may have seen funny quotes and pics like these:

 

 

So then it begs the question...

Why, WHY? Why did I purposely choose to purchase Legos for my eldest child this Easter? Knowing what could happen?!

In the span of 5 hours she had already managed to lose the "main character" piece, and have at least 3 meltdowns over not being able to do the  building herself....

I'll admit I was rethinking my decision of willingly putting my family into this position. 

But then, after Momma found the lost piece, worked through the booklet for 40 minutes, and showed little miss just how to do things... 

We have these moments. 

She's so busy she doesn't even have time to look up for a pic :)

Never mind the endless "thank you momma for my lego's" hugs, and continued exclamation of how they are her "most favorite toys!". 

Oh, I'm sure the days will come where I dread scooping up one more lego to put away. How my feet will groan as I step on a tiny, microscopic sharp edged piece {again}. But, my girl is happy and we are learning together. 

Easter Candy loses.

It just sits there...and sometimes I think I hear it calling me.
Delicious peanut-buttery, chocolate coated, gummy, fruity, goodness. It's real name is Easter Candy.

That's why I am so thankful for my Tuesday morning study/accountablity gals :) Because it's Tuesday and the candy starting yelling at me the moment my feet hit the kitchen floor! But I resisted! There is something in knowing you will give an account - as if I didn't already before my Father God. {sigh} Oh flesh, you wicked.
Instead I settled for a hard boiled egg, in a nice shade of red, courtesy of my children. Protein! And, I didn't feel like sleeping my life away come 10am.

Our chapter studies today were focused on using accountablity to help you stay focused, and, remembering the promises of God in moments of weakness. Something that is so important - remembering these bodies are not our own - we belong to God. This theme keeps coming back to me in multiple areas of life, I'm happy to see it in the dieting realm, as well. TRUTH!

The story of Esau and his crazy heat-of-the-moment decision to give up his birthright was a topic of conversation today. How insane for us today to think about this. This man was so hungry and focused on stew that he gave up his birthright!?

^{29 "}Once, Jacob was preparing a meal when Esau, exhausted, came in from outdoors. ³⁰ So Esau said to Jacob, “Let me have the whole pot of red stuff to eat—that red stuff—I’m exhausted.” This is why he was called Edom.

³¹ Jacob responded, “First, sell me your rights as firstborn.”

³² “I’m about to die.” Esau said. “What good is my inheritance to me?”

³³ “First, swear an oath,” Jacob said. So Esau swore an oath to him and sold him his rights as firstborn. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau a meal of bread and lentils. He ate and drank, and then he got up and left." Genesis ch. 25

Oh how we {I} judge Esau on his decision. What a dummy! Give up your inheritance for a lentil stew? No way! But upon deeper reflection - I'm just as guilty, it just looks a little different. Give up a good run of self discipline in eating for... 3 bite size snickers. Forget my committments to eat healthier for... a full fat mocha. Sure, I'm not losing any inheritance or standing in my family, but, I'm not being true to my word and I'm definitely not practicing self control - the fruit I was given at salvation. The object becomes the master and all else flies out the window. Yikes. So maybe I'm more like Esau then I like to believe. Desperation breeds degradation - this was our conversation. 

That candy is still sitting down there. But, it has lost all day. The voices are hushed and I'm remembering the Holy Spirit power that gives me VICTORY! Onward we march! 

*our study book is "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkuerst, fyi. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

It's the big week before our trip to FL! Even though it has finally warmed up here a bit, we are still SO eager to be in sunny Florida with family. The Easter weekend has come to an end and we are back to the grindstone of life for a few days. Happy Monday, friends. :)

The weather.....
Not sure on specifics, but, the sun is shining and it has been in the 50's!

Right now I am....
Watching the Sound of Music with my girls. For being only 1 and 4, they sure do love this movie.

Thinking....
I should not have started off the day by eating that Lemon Pie Bar. Dieting is the worst!
 
On my reading pile....
"Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkuerst

"No wonder the call him the savior" by Max Lucado

On my TV.....
Duck Dynasty & March Madness

Favorite blog post last week (mine or other)....
Really appreciated September McArthurs post on Pain Redeemed. If you've ever dealt with pregnancy loss or sorrow you'll appreciate her words.


Blog hopping (newly discovered blog)....
Just started following Always Alleluia. It's wonderful! Kris writes the blog all about thankfulness.



On the menu for this week....
I'm doing another survivor week and just making what we have in the house. No use in grocery shopping for  just a few days.

On my to do list....
Laundry
pack suitcases
tidy up toys
make coffee :)

In the craft basket....
2 small crocheted blankets


Looking forward to this week....
Bible study/accountability with friends tomorrow
Youth group on Weds.
FLORIDA on Friday!!!


Looking around the house....
4 year old is drawing ballerinas with her new crayons. Building blocks scattered on the floor. Blankets all crazy spread over the couch... a cozy morning.

From the camera....
 
 Dyeing eggs with my girls. The Little LOVED that she could do it herself!



On my prayer list.....
Friends sister has melanoma surgery this week
Self discipline in eating and exercise






Loving my children
 

Bible verse, Devotional....
 Rev. 1: 17-18 HE is alive forevermore!!!