Christmas 2010

Scalloped Scarlet Ribbon Christmas

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My sweet Ashlynn now 8 1/2 months! Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

A Royal Mess

I’ve been slowly, and I emphasize slowly, making my way through Beth Moore’s Esther.  What an awakening for women!  All of you who have had the pleasure of partaking in a study by her know all too well what insight both spiritually and scripturally she has into the life of a Christian woman.  I don’t care where you are in your walk, she seems to ‘hit the nail on the head’ with whatever you are in the wallows of at that time.  Praise God for her!  After the week I have had (which let me say has been a week of realization) I decided to look back into Chapter 1.  WOW.  I should have seen that coming!  As I read back through Vashti’s entrance into the story, I came to the realiziation that I really was living in a shadow.  As much as I believed I was doing my part to help uplift her, in actuality I had cast myself into her shadow of malevolent behavior. All the negativity I absorbed in an attempt to reflect it back in a positive, God fearing light was just weighing me down as if I had cement shoes on.  I have been struggling for the last 2 years in my own growth as a Christian and I now understand why I have been so stagnant.  It’s amazing, amazing how I have spent such an immense amount of time in a relationship out of sheer loyalty.  I have learned that it is not the longevity of the relationship, it is the quality.  It is where your mutual understanding and foundation are that impacts the depth of your bond.  Looking back, I ask myself, “What have I gained from this relationship?  In what ways have I matured and grown as a woman and as a Christian? How has this positively impacted me whether at home, work or in how I relate to others?”  Sadly, I can not answer that.  Because there is no answer.  It has not positively impacted me in any of those ways. 

 

So her I am; wounded, hurt and embarrassed.  Yet here I am alive, awake, reenergized and ready to take on whatever the Lord deems me suitable for!  I am ready to grow in my Christianity, embark on new friendships and relationships that will serve me in the same mutual way I serve them.  I owe a gratitude of thanks to the triad of  mature, Christian women who have lead me, supported me and been my sounding board for many years.  You, my ladies, are my real friends.    

 

~You see, even your current location is part of the set-up for your kingdom destiny~

Beth Moore

 

 

In Him, Forever Blessed...

 

 

 

Just passing through...

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:25-26)

It is quite amazing how one can transform from acceptance to disgust.  I don't quite understand how Christ would be approving of such judgmental actions?  When one turns oneself over to the Lord, in both body and Spirit, then one is to be as Christ was; accepting, loving, kind, charitable, empathetic.  It is a blindness to condemn another person for actions that have been consistent with ones own. When one begins to see others in a hostile manner, one must remember to reflect inward and remind ones self of who they once were...it's a long way down and the fall will hurt.
I choose to turn the other cheek, allowing to let one grow and blossom.  For Christ also tells us "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord frogave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

And as a reminder to my imperfect self... "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  (Ephesians 4:29)

Blessings, Peace and Charity...

To Santa or Not to Santa

So I'm finding myself contemplating doing away with Santa.  I mean, in the "gonna find out whose naughty or nice"-sit on his lap-Santa is bringing gifts kind of way.  How we expect our children to believe in such a falacy is beyond me.  Look at all the commercials, TV shows, movies and mail!  It says nothing but "Pick the biggest, neatest, most high tech toys and ask mom and dad before calling ".  I like how my friend Julie does it, putting Christ first on the blessed day. Last night I was watching a repeat of The Duggars (I know, I know) and it was an episode I hadn't seen before.  They were exchanging gifts, but it was done with a Giving and Receiving concept.  "Santa" didn't deliver the gifts, the parents and siblings gave them.  Selfless giving with the intention of pleasing a child or parent.  Giving of a gift with no expectation to receive.  Isn't this how we should all be teaching our children to live?  To give of themselves when there is no "funding" to give, when we wonder where our own "things" will come from is when we should dig even deeper and give to someone even less fortunate than us.  For Jesus gave and gave, never wanting/expecting/desiring any thing in return.  He only asks us to pay it forward.  To do for another the way He has done to us.  "And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (COL 3:14)

Bye-bye Mr. Clause.

Perfection at Slacking

     Oh, lord...here I go again!  I made a promise to myself to be more consistent with my blogging and the best I can do is be consistent at not blogging.  I keep putting it off telling mysefl "wait until I can load some pictures up".  Well, we all know how good at that I am!  

But someone today, who is quite special to me, cleared my view and reminded me of the peace that I have in my life :)  I was so blessed to see an old but very dear friend, Melodi, as she was passing through the area visiting her family for the holidays.  I also got to finally meet her dear hubby and 2 adorable little boys!  I only wish we could have had an entire day to spend together, catching up and enjoying each other.  The first time I met her was in 2000 and to this day she still has such an emulating spirit about her.  I love the way I feel, spiritually, when I am in her presence. So how could I not get on an blog about seeing her!!  I only wish I had a picture of us, but it was a quick and short visit :(  You should see how crafty my friend is, check out her blog http://www.sparetyme.blogspot.com/ she puts us all to shame!

I had a wonderful time at my grandma's 90th birthday party on November 6 in NY!!  She looks absolutely beautiful and so energetic.  It was a fast visit, Friday to Sunday, but well worth the stress of getting there!  I took Ashlynn with me, as she was the 8th great-grandchild and the only one she had not see at that point.  She was so excited and pleased to finally see her.  I enjoyed some much needed time with my Dad, step-mom and awesome step-siblings (gotta love my neices who are the girls ages!)  Hopefully we can make the bi-annual family trip home this summer. 

Josh and I celebrated 6 years of marriage on the 23rd!!  It has been 6 years of many struggles but we have been able to stay focused on what is important and see the many blessings of life.  One day, I know in my heart, both of our lives will be forever changed.

The holidays are such a wonderful time of year, yet as each year passes I find myself more disappointed in our society.  What I have always loved as family time spent appreciating all that we have has turned into a mass media and society rush to spend money on so-called "great deals".  I wonder, if God charged to get into heaven, just how much of a "black friday" would he have if he ran sales?  Sadly, those who need Him most still would not have the resources to get in.  Or would they?  I always try to put forth more effort to the less fortunate (homeless) this time of year, but am starting to see that it is also the "wealthy" that need Christ just as much if not more.  I see so many people spending money on "things" and for themselves.  They all want the biggest, best, most technological items.  How sad that they may go to bed each night without the knowldege of salvation, that there is a life so much better.  Do they know what would happen to them if they died in their sleep?

I am eternely grateful for what God has blessed me with.  Friends, family, health and home.  I am not perfect.  But He knows that, and it is my strive to be a better Christian that He sees and looks favorably upon.  These next few months will be a struggle for my family as I work more than double my usual schedule, but the Lord has heard the words of my heart and is blessing my family.  His strength and love will carry us through and be the rock that allows me to maintain some sanity and be a serene example amongst the chaos that will more than likey prevail at times. 

She's got....PERSONALITY!

Oh....don't let that sweet sleeping innocent face fool you.  "Aww, she is so beautiful", "What a cute sweet baby"...wait until she opens her eyes and decides that to speak.  HO-LY. COW!!  This girl is showing her personality and it hovers between a loud yankee (me) and a stubborn scots-irish (dad).  Let's just say she knows what she wants, when she wants it and how to make it know that she want's it now.  She has me wrapped around her cute little finger and I admit it.  How could I resist holding and loving her??  She's the final in a line of 4, the baby that will only be a baby for a short while and I will cherish this time as much as I want.  Yea, I may be part of the problem but I do not forsee any permanent problems.  Hopefully, she will outgrow this phase, but if not...then we will figure out what kind of parenting skills we will come up to deal with it.  In the meantime, I'll suffer through the sleep-fighting where she arches her back and screams like she's in pain, the stiffening and screaming each time I put her in the high chair and every time I walk out of sight.  It's only a matter of time before CPS shows up at my door inquiring about abuse or neglect.  Or the Police come to issue me a noise citation for her decibal use.  I pity my neighbors when the front door and windows are open :) But hey, I gotta have some cool autumn air in the house!

Winsor Meadows HOA Fall Festival 2010

The girls had a blast with halloween this year!  To boot...they got the exact costumes they wanted!!  Abby, a cat and Keara Tinkerbell.  I'm not a fan of halloween as I don't see it as a holiday or celebratory day, but I gave in and we did the trick or treating.  Normally we only partake in the Fall Festivals and everything to do with the Thanksgiving Holiday.  

More importantly....I voted. Have you? 

Date Night!

Love must be fed and nurtured...first and foremost it demands time.~ David Mace


So yesterday, Josh calls me to remind me he is golfing with his "crew" after work.  I can't remember the name of the course, just a new one designed by Justin Leonard.  Anyways, he makes a comment of hanging out with the guys for a little while afterwards and having a beer.  A little irritated since everyone has bad days or days that start off on the wrong foot.  So I half-jokingly make the comment, "Then when you get home, I think I'll go have a drink." to which he replies, "Why don't you make dinner for the kids and I'll take you out to dinner."  Really, I have 4 kids.  1 of who relies on me for meals, and by rely on me, I mean I personally store her milk. And then there is bath time, babysitting and clean-up.  This is all running through my head in about a 5 second pause.  But all that comes out is "It all depends on when Ian get's home."  "No, it doesn't depend on anything.  Ian can watch the girls for 30 minutes until bedtime and will pick you up and take you to dinner". WOW!  I kind of like being told what to do :) 

Fast forward to Ian getting home.  I have dinner prepared, let him get a big plate and then ask him if he minds if his dad takes me on a date?  If he would watch the girls for a little while?  "Sure, mom".  AWESOME. Totally awesome kid! It's bad enough that I will find every excuse in the book to not do anything for myself, so having Josh "lay down the law" and Ian be so willing made for a nice evening. 

So Josh picks me up at 7:30 (bedtime is 8pm, Ashlynn is already asleep) and we head out to dinner, then to pick up our movie tickets (Red) and spend the time in between competing at vidoe games and such at Dave & Buster's.  Simple, yet we connected better last night than we have in a long time.  Conversation was great, no spat's and he even surprised me with sneaking in a little desert to the movie...Cheesecake Factory cheesecake.  YUMMY!!  We got home a bit late, bedtime at 0100 for me is never a good thing, but I would do it all over again :) 


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

BrocoLLI!

For those of you unwilling (or if the mere thought induces a gag reflex) to try some brocolli, have I got the recipe for you! Now I myself am not an avid green-crown-gas-inducing vegetable eater, but I gotta tell you, this one takes the cake. Not only is it good but I could have eaten the entire pound of it all by myself!

PARMESEAN BROCOLLI

1 16 oz bag frozen brocolli crowns (I'm not a fan of the stems)
1/2 stick butter (I don't do that Dehydrogenated soy"What did you say?" stuff)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesean cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Cook the brocolli as directed. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese and garlic. Melt the butter, pour onto the brocolli. Sprinkle the crumb mix on, stir and rewarm just a bit.

YUUMMMM FREAKIN YUMMY!! I should of doubled the recipe :)

Welcome back!

Never thought my days would be so chock full of "fun and excitement" that I would lose the time to journal my life's journey. I find myself either doing laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, running errands, playing "driver" to Ian (who should have his license come December), bathing, reading, helping with homework, or just plain passed-out by 9pm. The life of a busy mom, right?! Oh, and I LOVE every last minute of it! How blessed I am to have 4 beautiful children and to be home with them at least 5 out of 7 days. Never did I imagine I would have the opportunity to be the mom I dreamed of :) Now don't get me wrong, it's not all fun and games. I have no clue how either of my grandmother's were able to maintain such order with 5 kids each! And let's remember, only one parent worked and they only had 1 car. Although if only Josh had the car I would probably be less busy since I wouldn't be able to drive anyone anywhere :) Oh...how sad Ian would be!

Ashlynn is growing by leaps and bounds weighing in at 16 lbs by 6 months! She is a hearty eater, mainly still just breast milk but I have started some fruit and veggies occasionally at meal time. She and I are taking a plane ride to NY in a few weeks to visit my family and celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday.

Abby started kindergarten and is the apple of our eye! She is doing fantastic and will be recognized as Character Kid of the Month for her class on Friday!! She is looking forward to going to the Celina pumpkin farm as a field trip :) She is also taking the CogAT test (for gifted and talented) next month.

Keara...well, she has shown me that without Abby's influence, she is one smart cookie and a well behaved little girl. A big helper to me during the day and loves to read and color. Of course, in the dirt or on a bike is really where she wants to spend all her time.

Ian is fairing well, struggling in a couple of his AP classes, but he is putting forth all of his effort. He's playing Running Back and OLB for the Varsity Football. Soccer will be next, starts up in January. Yea...34 degree games.

All in all, we are blessed. Life always comes with struggles, but I keep my eye on the prize and remember that my Heavenly Father will take care of my needs. The rest is just fluff.

Praise Him in all we do, give to those even less fortunate than we are. JOY. Jesus Others Yourself.

Update! Update!!

Holy cow!!! So much has happened since my last post :) We were blessed early with our 3rd daughter (4th child)...Ashlynn Sterling made her debut on March 29, 2010 at 2:59 pm, a Monday. She is the only pregnancy where my water broke and that I went into labor early with. It was a nice way to end the childbearing years! My dad and stepmom were present this time (the only time they have been in Tx for any births!) as my brother had gotten married the week before on a cruise that the rest of the family attended.

My labor and delivery was by far, the best!! I had full faith in my midwife even when she found umbilical cord next to her head and she was not fully engaged. I was transported by Ambulance to the hospital with the slight fear that if my water fully broke, the cord could potentially come out first cutting off all blood supply to the baby. My midwife ruptured the rest of the amniotic sack at the hospital with the OR suite ready in case I needed a C-section, which I didn't. Once she did that and brought her head down into position I was up and walking, laboring naturally. I delivered without any problems, no drugs and it was the best!! I am so grateful to have had AC there to deliver her as we formed a wonderful bond during my pregnancy care :) Little Ashlynn was all of 6 lbs 8oz and 18.5 inches long. My smallest baby.

She is the best little baby. She only cries when she is hungry, sleeps well, nurses like a champ, and is loved by all her siblings!

Abigail is officially registered for Kindergarten!! She is so excited to go to a big school, but mommy is sad to be sending her off for 7 hours a day!! She is so used to playing outside many times a day that I wonder how she will do with only a 30 minute recess?? Why do we not allow our little ones to play and run anymore? She is reading better, doing simple addition and subtraction and loves to play house! She tells me she is going to be a nurse when she grows up and "work with you, mommy". How can I not love this little girl!!

Keara is my rough and play girl. She has decided to be a motorcycle and car racer when she grows up. She thinks Santa is bringing her a motorcycle for Christmas...how disappointed she will be!! But you have to admire her determination and willingness to do what she loves :) She is a good sister, but doesn't dote on Ashlynn. She will hold her for a few minutes, and then she is done. She loves to play with her trucks, color and watch Jungle Junction and NASCAR.

More on Ian to follow. For now, I have to get ready to entertain a good friend and her new baby girl!!

Blessings and Gratitude, many Thanks to my Heavenly Father for all I have....

Happy New Year

I have been without a computer now for a little over 2 months?  I'm actually getting used to it.  I use Ian's (with permission) when I have a need, or beg Josh to let me use his for a split second as he is selfish and doesn't want to share.  'Grow up' is what I say!! Honestly, we have far more needs in this life than a computer for each adult in the house.  Just look around your community, the world, and see how many people are doing without the basic needs of survival.  They aren't complaining about no having a computer, or a bed, or a coat are they?  We live in such a a sefish, over-indulgent, materialistic, over sexualized and sinful, Jesus lost society.  How have we allowed ourselves to get to this point?  What will it take for us as a world to open our eyes and realize that there is only one goal in this life...to have Christ.  To have that personal relationship that will guide us, protect us, and love us.  Then we will have His eyes to see the world in true color and clarity.  Look around people...there is life going on that does not center around you!!

I am grateful for my Christian friends.  Grateful to have people in my life that see beyond themselves, beyond the newest flatscreen, beyond the big house with a media room.  They keep me grounded, remind me to see through God like eyes at how our world really is and help me to find ways of making it a better place.  I love the fact that in my line of 'work' I can touch people.  That I can make a small difference.  That I can feel Jesus work through me because I only want to do His will, let the Holy Spirit work through me. 

26 weeks, 6 days along in the pregnancy.  I feel good :)  I do get sore, those ligaments that hold up my uterus have been overstretched one to many times!  I swell if I'm on my feet for more than 2 shifts in a row, but rest and levitation take care of it.  My blood pressure is perfect (less than 117), no major complications, baby girl is moving like a rock star and I pray that I pass my Glucose Tolerance Test next week!  Hard to believe that she will be here in about 14 weeks!  Maybe I should start dusting off the baby items?  Getting them out of the attic for washings might be a good start!

The family is good :)  Ian is into soccer season now, the girls are a mess and have bad cabin fever, and Josh is still able to get a round of golf in here and there.  I'm planning the garden for next year, prepping my soil as I will plant my seeds in March.  Hoping for a good lush crop!!  I need to do some canning :)  

My bff Donna and her family are back in the area!! Yea! I could not be happier :)  We may not get together ALL the time, but then again we both have 3 children and busy lives.  We respect that in each other.  It is such a relief to me that I have her to turn to, and in close proximity now.

As I always remind myself...I have a blessed life.  Our needs are met, we are healthy and happy.  I pray the Lord continues to work on Josh, turning his heart towards Him and helping him see the Light.

Always with Faith and Grace...