Friday, February 22, 2013

Naismith Would Be Proud

I've got no business being on my blog, but my brain needed a break from the work I'm supposed to be doing.  Much as I'd love to stay and post here a while, I think I'll do the more responsible thing and keep it short.

These are from last week, the last basketball game for the girls.  They really enjoyed it again this year and came out hot and sweaty each time.  And Amanda cried when she lost.

Our new house has a basketball hoop in the driveway....I hope it gets lots of use!




 










And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

So That I Can Love Who?

I read this the other night and was totally blown away, challenged, slapped upside the head....a lightbulb went off.  Of course!


So, I did a little experiment. I started reading Bible verses by adding on a little question/challenge to myself at the end: “…. So that I can love who?”
For example, Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” … so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs my love but I’ll only be able to do it if I let God change my mindset. I need to add this little pop- this new expression of my faith through love.
Philippians 4:19, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” … so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs something that I think I can’t give. But I can give when I realize God is supplying me in abundance. He is the supplier. I just have to open my hand and channel some of my blessing in this person’s direction.
(This picture is not really appropriate for this post, yet I thought it was hilarious...loving the unlovely, maybe?)
Verse #4

I am fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised.  Romans 4:21

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Project 365, Week 7

I'm not even sure where to begin describing this week.  When I pulled up the pictures for the week, I said to myself, that is NOT what happened, which I guess means they do not really reflect the way I remember the week.

It was Shaun wrapping up the busy part of tax season (finally, he has today off!) and it was lots of the not fun parts of foster care.  A friend texted me, Are you in court today?  and when I read it, I thought, sheesh...is this really my life right now??  I can honestly say I never in my life thought I'd be in court for anything ever.  God has such a sense of humor.

Well, here's our week as it got recorded in photos.

February 10
Lots of snow to play in!

February 11
Lots of snow to shovel!  The kids had another snow day, so I wrote a list of all the things that needed to be accomplished, sat them down and gave them the game plan, and they worked like troopers.

We got soaked after shoveling one of the apartment sidewalks...in the rain.  BUT, we're still smiling.  :) 
February 12
Amanda is itching to wear this new dress, so I let her wear it around the house.  She danced and posed and was a princess for a time.

February 13
After some struggle, I finally admitted to myself that the homemade, non-candy Pinterest Valentines were just not going to happen.

The girls couldn't have been happier with the ready-made candy Valentines they picked thoughtfully picked out for their classmates...Avery was so excited to get to work addressing them all.
February 14
My mom came and watched Aiden and got the kids out of school while I spent the afternoon in court, mostly waiting and making small talk with Z's family.

At Avery's request, I made Shrimp Scampi for dinner and the kids and I ate in the dining room on china with candles.  We missed Shaun (who was working) and Aiden (who had a sleepover at Pop and Kiki's) but it was still fun.

While Z was at basketball practice and the girls were in bed, Shaun and I stood in the kitchen and dipped strawberries in chocolate while we talked.  Romance re-defined!  :)
February 15
With Aiden gone and the kids at school, we went down the street for a breakfast date before Shaun had to be at work.  We're laughing here because the first picture came out....
....like this.  :)
February 16
Because our day was full, I switched Avery's basketball time to fit with Amanda's.  Because there were so few kids, they got to guard each other for much of the game.  Both came out red and sweaty at the end.  :)

Amanda cried because her team lost, "cause the coach gave that kid a free shot at the end".
From basketball, we were off to church so Z could audition for the part of Isaac in the Passion.

Amanda so sweetly dressed like me, so we got a picture of the twins.  After it was taken she checked it and didn't like her bangs, so....
 ....after a quick slick-back, we got a good one.  :)
From there, we went to Z's one and only playoff game.  Up next....baseball!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I'm a mixed bag of raw emotions...lots going on. 

In my mind I picture this day being romantic and free from the cares of this world, but then I remember that there is court and social worker visits and work til 8 and basketball practice...and I remember I live IN this world and even the Bible tells me in this world I will have trouble.  

God and I have spent some messy, real time together in the last 14 hours.  I love the verse He gave me this morning:

Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Want to join me in laying down your expectations for this day?

I choose to not make this day a list of things my hard-working husband needs to do to make me happy. I will not keep a mental list of things he needs to do to fulfill his duty to me on this day of love.

I choose to not make this day all about being that Pinterest Mom.  I'm not a make-them-a two-toned-red-and-pink-heart-shaped-pancakes-for-breakfast kind of person.  I do know ways to show them love and I'm going to make that okay in my head.

Praying you will feel God's love today and that you have someone to share that love with.  Happy LOVE day!









Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Winter Storm

Thoughts on Snow Storm Nemo:

shoveling
digging tunnels
too much screen time
plowing husband
respite care
everything cancelled
24 + inches
chess
king of the mountain
special snacks
snuggles on the couch
shoveling
limitless hot drinks
super hero husband
laughter in excess
baby boy snowed in...away
Uno
shoveling
big, warm breakfasts
dog wrestling
generous neighbor with snowblower
billiards
shoveling
sweats
Uncle Nathan
Sorry
winter walks
































You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter.
Psalm 74:17