a new decade

Tomorrow I enter into my third decade of life...and although I feel like many people dread turning 30, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it.  My twenties were FULL of about every new life change: graduating college, getting my first job, getting married, moving to a new state, having three babies and buying a house.  Of course there were many, many wonderful things that came along with that, but also a handful of challenging moments as well (starting over in a new city, pregnancies (I could list about 1,000 challenging moments that came with that alone), lack of sleep, demands of raising a preschooler, toddler and an infant, home remodeling, discovering my extreme selfishness through the incredible refining process of marriage and being a mom, wow...the list could go on and on).  I feel like I really grew a lot during that time.  And I pray I can learn just as much or more through this next decade.  Thankfully, no matter how much older I get or how many new things life will throw at me, God is faithful.  He continues to prove Himself over and over to me.  I'm excited to see where He takes me and my family in the next ten (and hopefully more!) years.  I'm thanking the Lord for my Easter birthday tomorrow!

No, I'm not shouting

...just yawning.

perfection

I'm a perfectionist.  Not with everything, but with many things.  And I'm pretty sure I've been that way for awhile.  My dad tells me stories of how he and I used to sit down and draw pictures together and if my picture wasn't exactly perfect, I'd crumple it up and throw it away.  I always tried to do my school work perfect and wanted my hair to look perfect and oftentimes wanted everyone else to think I was perfect, too. Even now, the pictures on my wall need to be exactly symmetrical and I want my bed to be made so that the comforter falls over the edge the same amount on both sides.  But beyond just how my house looks, I also want to be the perfect wife and mom.  You know the kind: the kids are always wearing clothes with no stains with hair combed exactly right.  The mom has a trendy haircut that is styled even at 9:00am when she's out grocery shopping.  And then she returns to her perfectly clean house where everything has a spot and it's all in its spot.  When her husband comes home from work, dinner is ready and the table is set and they have a wonderfully perfect evening because that's what they are: perfect.  And then I get up each morning and wear pajamas until about 10:00am and try and get something put together for lunch while attempting to keep the toys at least contained within the room they came from.  If you look closely in the corners, there is sure to be dust bunnies.  There are always laundry piles (clean and dirty) somewhere in the house.  I often leave the house with no make-up.  And it's a miracle if I have something ready for dinner by the time my husband is home from work (except this week!  We're doing well on this meal planning thing so far!).  It sure doesn't sound like a perfect picture of a family, but I've learned that I just need to accept that.  I need to let some things go.  My house doesn't need to look perfect, my kids don't need to look perfect and I don't need to look perfect.  And the mom who looks perfect in every way?  Is she really?  We don't really know anything except what's on the surface.  But, of course, we're moms...and want to compare every single thing with her.  Why do we do that?  Why do I do that?  Regardless if that perfect mom is really perfect or not, God doesn't want us to live trying to be the image of her or whatever we think perfection happens to be.  He wants us to live in the image of Himself.  That's how He created us!  Lord, help me to reflect Your image and be the wife and mom You want me to be.

Meanwhile, I do believe I will  have many more years of praying that this little girl also learns that things don't need to be perfect:

She does this with her orange every time she peels it and has done it all on her own.  This is just one of many "perfectionist" traits she seems to carry on.  Lord, teach us both!

easy meal ideas? help please!

Okay, so I know I mentioned in my last post that I wasn't really into the "goal-setting" part of the new year.  However, one thing I would like to do more of this year is meal-planning.  I used to be really good at this: when I had just one child and a little more time on my hands.  Now with both kiddos and the lack of desire to go anywhere in frigid weather with both of those kiddos, my grocery shopping trips are extremely limited or consist of sending Matt to the store for one quick thing so I can attempt to throw a meal together. Hamburger helper, spaghetti, lasagna and chili have been used all too much this winter.  Now I know there are a billion recipes at my fingertips online, but I just don't really have the time to sit around searching for a recipe that is relatively easy, healthy and includes ingredients that I actually have.  So, help?  Please?  Anyone have any good and easy (maybe crock pot or quick meals to put together) recipes that use mainly "staple" ingredients?  I guess that's my other main problem...my lack of staples.  I do have a ton of canned tomatoes, cream of chicken soups, pasta, chicken broth and a spice cabinet that's exploding at the seams.  I also have ground turkey and chicken on hand.  Other than that, I'm pretty limited.  Anyone with recipes that include those items or maybe just one or two more things would be great!  Or, if you have a fantastic recipe that you often use with your family that you think would help me out, please share!  Do help this busy mom who doesn't want to venture out too often.  Then maybe if I get motivated, I can put together a post with all the recipes I got so that you can use them, too!

new year thoughts and Christmas recap

I know it's been awhile since my last post, but we were away for Christmas and I am just now starting to feel the routine of normal life again.  We've also all been fighting sickness, so much of my "break" was spent lounging and resting (as much as possible with a 3-year-old and 9-month-old).  With that, I'm going to start my first post of 2011 with a list of highlights/events from Christmas and also some thoughts going into this new year.

Christmastime for our family included:

~five church services

~five days at my parents' house

~four Christmas celebrations

~three Christmas dinners (one being pizza)

~three presents for each of our daughters (because Jesus received three gifts)

~one wonderful afternoon/evening spent with some of my favorite Minnesota people

~one visit with two great high school friends

~many days to have my beloved husband around (something I missed throughout December)

~one morning spent singing and playing instruments at a nursing home

~many lovely memories of one of my favorite times of year

We really did enjoy a bit of a break from the busy December we had.  We spent a few days at my parents' house and then a few days at our house catching up on things, relaxing and trying to get well again (and still working on that last one).  

And now for the new year...I never have been much with making goals as a new year rolls around.  Sometimes I think about a few things I'd like to do or change about myself, but nothing really concrete.  I always enter the new year wanting to grow more in my faith and continue to be the wife and mom God wants me to be, so I guess that's my main "goal" for this year.  I pray that I would fall more in love with my Savior first and foremost and then continue to become more selfless in my relationship with my husband and more patient in my role as a mom.  I have so far to go, but am so thankful I am loved and accepted by God in my imperfect ways.

This year, our church is also being challenged to read through the entire Bible.  I would love to say that on December 31, 2011, I accomplished just that.  I have tried in years past to complete the whole Bible in a year, but usually get behind by the middle of the year and don't seem to catch up.  Please pray with me that I stick with my daily reading and that God would use his Word to teach me and show me Himself in new ways.

Happy 2011!

faces

{picture credit}

I had a rough day with this little girl today.  She's not feeling well in what seems like a million different ways, but I can't seem to pinpoint exactly what it is.  So there was definitely a lot of holding, cuddling, consoling, and fighting through frustration today.  But then I see these faces and am reminded of the beautiful girl that I love no matter how hard my day is with her.  Tomorrow is a new day and I pray that I can continue to have patience when I feel like all my patience is gone and unconditional love when I am so frustrated.  Yes, tomorrow is a new day.  

oh, dear

We don't watch tv at our house all too often, and try to limit it to when the girls are in bed. I am, however, not saying I haven't used the tv occasionally for Miriam when I just need to get something done for a few minutes (like shower) (sorry for the double negative). But with that being said, we try and at least limit Abbie's viewing of the tv. We did wait with Miriam until she was close to 2, and plan on doing the same with Abbie. Now, with that lovely introduction, observe what I observed the other evening after I stepped out of the room for just a minute.

{note to self: don't leave the tv on when you leave the room and aren't there to distract her. Or just leave it off period.}

Hi, mom! I like all those pretty colors on that big screen over there!

oops.

what they never told you

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of being a mom. I would cuddle with my dolls and tuck them into their cradles. I would play house with my friends and insist on being 'the mom'. I would write letters to my future kiddos and tuck them into a box in my closet. I would write scenarios of what my life would be like when I was a mom. And I would pick my top baby names with my friends (some of which I have used). Motherhood was something that I just couldn't wait for. And here I am, after being a mom for three years... still reminding myself that I really am a mom! I am so thankful God has blessed me with two beautiful girls and could not imagine my life without them. So, as I have been reflecting on being a mom, I wanted to write a list of things that 'they' (whoever 'they' are) never told me before that wonderful day just over three years ago when I held my firstborn in my arms.

~~~~~~~~~~

*Not a day goes by when you are not completely exhausted.

*Doing everything with only one hand will be a quickly learned trait.

*The smaller they are, the more luggage they require.

*The 8,000 pockets in diaper bags all have uses.

*You will learn the lyrics of every single kid song ever written. And also memorize the words of every kid book you own.

*Things you vowed you'd never do as a parent, you will do.

*Suddenly you have sympathy for the family in Target with the screaming children (instead of annoyance).

*Seeing your husband step into the role of "father" will make you fall in love with him all over again.

*You will sometimes cry when your baby cries. And it's okay to set her down in her crib and leave the room for a few minutes just to breathe.

*You think it's more fun to shop for your kids than for yourself.

*Garage sales become your best friend.

*There will be some days that you count down the minutes until bedtime. It's okay. Tomorrow is a new day.

*It's okay and necessary to take time for yourself. You will feel guilty, but you need it!

*Sleep when your kids sleep. Even if there's a pile of laundry and dishes stacked to the ceiling.

*Go on a date night (or weekend) as often as you can.

*Grandparents make the best babysitters.

*Your life will never be the same again. In a good way.

*A minivan suddenly has turned into a luxury vehicle.

*You may burst out laughing when you're supposed to be discipling your child because even though what they did was wrong, it was also hilarious.

*Psalm 139 will become more real to you than you ever knew.

*You wonder how you can love a second child as much as your first. But you will. They find a way to make you grow another heart.

*Parenting advice will come from your parents, your in-laws, your neighbor, your friends and the lady standing behind you in the grocery store.

*You finally begin to realize how the hardest job on earth is also the most rewarding.

~~~~~~~~~~

So moms, anything you want to add?

meet Abbie

Abigail Jacqueline (Abbie) joined our family on March 4 at 12:14 pm. She was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. We are so thrilled to be a family of four! Miriam is enjoying her little sister (but gets very concerned when she hears her cry). We are all learning new routines and adjusting to all the changes a baby brings to a family. I will post more about the details of labor and our first few days home, but in the mean time... here are some pictures:

One Handed

Built in with our other maternal instincts, I believe moms have the natural ability to do everything with one hand. I've begun to realize ever since Miriam was born. After awhile, I suddenly began cooking, cleaning, picking up toys, carrying a purse and diaper bag all with just one hand (and Miriam in the other, of course). Usually I'm reminded of this whenever Matt comes with somewhere and I can't figure out how I normally juggled everything without him. I guess I did it somehow. I think it hit me again this morning as I was cooking breakfast. I decided to make pancakes and eggs and, of course, Miriam wanted to see every step of the action. First, it started with pouring the pancakes on the griddle and flipping them one-handed. Then, I scrambled eggs one-handed. Then, I managed to set the table, get Miriam's plate ready, and carry all the food over with my solitary hand. Granted, I had to switch sides every now and then, but she was basically attached to me this entire time.

Our one-handedness.... one of many of those maternal instincts I'm thankful I learned I have.