never say bored...

we are typically the family that sticks close to home and doesn't have much going on. typically. but the last few weeks (or the last month really) we have been busier than a one armed paper hanger. and when you aren't used to it, it just wears on you. i'm not complaining (well, trying not to). i mean, we have our health (for the most part...you know, minus that whole RSV--which is all better and we even own our own nebulizer machine now--and that whole thyroid thing.) on the menu this week is a 9 month check up for my angel girl and my thyroid scan. my mother in law will be coming to help in the day from 9-4 on thursday and friday. hopefully sister won't be too much for her (have i mentioned she is slightly attached to me?) the boys will have school thursday and they'll all be here friday (good Lord bless her.)

in other news, i went to an overnight ladies retreat this friday night and saturday with a friend of mine and her church. we had a great time and time away was something i needed (although it doesn't seem to agree with little miss right now. she likes to go on nap strike, especially since she can sit herself up and holler. good thing i have a strong mommy muscle when it comes to listening to that. well, that and she doesn't say "mama" yet. just "dada"--and she is sooooo close to crawling!) i have really felt like the Lord has been trying His hardest to impress some things on my heart. i've been thinking a lot about being a better overall steward of time and money for starters. we live on a budget, and i'll admit, we aren't always great at it. but we try really hard. i used to struggle with being a stay at home mom. and i don't know why. i mean, it is my absolute dream to be here. but i guess it's just that as a nurse, i KNOW i was good at my job. here, there are no rewards and plenty of heartaches. but recently, and over the weekend, i realized that it is exactly what i have made of it. now, don't get me wrong. i don't have bad kids and i love being here. sometimes just multiple bad days just really get to me and i wonder if i made the right decision for them and for me to stay at home. and i know that in the end, that answer is always YES YES YES...and YES again. God has been calling me to commit to Him. and i have said i was, but don't know how much of a servant i have been, you know? have i really been serving Him, my husband and my kids with all of my heart? and if i'm honest...no. and i'm not a person who signs up to do a job half way. and this is no exception. so what if i'm never a nurse again? God has created many talented people to hold that job. He created only one of me to be their mom (and for a short while will they be little and in my care!) and to be micah's wife. and those are my 2 most important day to day jobs. can i get an amen? (sorry to get all deep on you. i told you i've had a lot on my heart these days and who am i if not transparent. most people know me as your friend who will just tell you how things really are!)

and our house has been showing like a mad dog. while not a bad thing, it's not an easy thing. friday night (while i was gone) a young couple came back for a 2nd look. micah left and allowed them around 30 minutes (cause it was already 6:30) and when he came back, they were still there. so he pulled into our neighbor's drive. they were still there at 7:15 so he went in, where they were all sitting at my kitchen table with a calculator and different forms and looking at utilities and micah told them "um, i have all the kids out in the car and they are starving. i just need to grab something to feed them while we wait." and then they were there another 30 minutes!!! am i wrong, or is that a little weird, to treat my kitchen like an office when they knew there were HONGRY kids waiting out in a van?? thank goodness for "big seth"--our neighbor. he invited micah and the kids in for a bit so he could feed sister and the rowdy bunch. and after they moved in for that hour and 15 minutes, we haven't heard anything. i'm getting soooooo beyond frustrated. i know it's the times we are in. i know it will happen when it is supposed to. patience isn't my strong suit. so maybe i'll work on that next.

if you have hung in and read all of this, you are just too good to me. prayer requests this week: for my scan to go well and for the kids to be fine without momma doing all the work (and for me to accept help!), and for my mom. the handicapped man she has been taking care of for umpteen years, died yesterday. it's gonna be hard on her b/c he has become family to her and my step dad. lots of change will come up for them. so i'd just appreciate a little love sent her way. (and luke has a lymph node swollen behind his left knee. should be nothing since he has absolutely no other symptom. but you know, a momma worries.)

up next, tackling this...


do yall have a spice cabinet that looks like this? i'm about to overhaul it this next weekend. they will get matching containers that will be labeled and look all pretty. see, sissy's bottles are below those shelves and i'm about to have permanent brain damage from the spices falling on my head multiple times a day!!