Where Does My Help Come From?

In a few days we will be moving. The floor of the kids' room is crowded by 2 toddler mattresses, 1 queen size mattress, 1 "pop-up" crib, and one chest of drawers.  Our "former" master bedroom is half full, floor to ceiling, with moving boxes and disassembled furniture.

My two oldest children (2 1/2 and 4yrs) have been ill since early yesterday afternoon with fevers and other unpleasant side effects of some sort of flu virus, I'm guessing. My baby (1yr) has been suffering terribly from the torments of teething, and I have to admit that my husband's and my sleep has been, as well.

Aiden's mattress borders with my side of the queen mattress and so we sleep inches away from each other. He loves being so close to me and sleeps so soundly this way.

With all that said, here are the events of my morning as they played out, after minimal hours of sleep:

I awaken to my poor Aiden, whimpering next to me on his mattress. I look over and offer words of comfort just before he starts getting sick. He is lying down, so I help him sit up. All of this commotion has woken the baby who was next to me in bed, and feels denied his morning nursing. Tim is awake now and tries to comfort the baby as I change Aiden's clothes and bedding and get him a drink of water. Declan (the baby) is nearing hysterics, as I (in my sleep-deprived stupor) take a ridiculously long time trying to find where I put the extra pillows. I finally settle Aiden back into his freshly made bed, and take the baby from my equally drowsy husband.

It is stuffy in "the bedroom" as we now call it, from the morning's events, so I bring Declan out to our recliner in the living room. I sit down next to the open sliding glass door and nurse my teething babe. It is cool and overcast outside (which I love) and the air smells heavy with the promise of rain. I open the web browser on my phone to my home page, biblegateway.com, and read their "verses of the day" selection, which are:

Psalm 121:1-3 (NASB)
The LORD the Keeper of Israel.
A Song of Ascents.
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth
He will not allow your foot to slip
He who keeps you will not slumber"

It begins to sprinkle lightly outside and the fragrance is Heavenly. Declan nurses contentedly and looks up at me, his comfort, his safety. My husband wanders in and plops into a stuffed chair facing me. We smile at each other and share my foot rest. I think of the passage I'd just read, and feel so blessed at how God has turned my morning around, and glad that I thought of looking to His Word, before anything else on this morning. And no matter what transpires today, sick children and all, I can look towards the Heavens; I know where my help comes from :-)

A Necklace for God

 
It so often feels this way, doesn't it mothers?
Such encouragement to know that, in this context, the Lord proudly wears the LONG string of beads that we are creating. He sees all that we do, and it is surely not in vain.
What kind of necklace are you fashioning for our Lord?  Are you hastily stringing beads on, quick as you can, feeling that you should meet some sort of "quota" for the day? Perhaps you are sluggishly adding them, one at a time, feeling that you'd rather be doing something else (perhaps napping which sounds Heavenly enough, after all!)

No.

Fellow mothers and homemakers, yes even you with several small children (this is me as well): Join me and let's carefully select the most beautiful beads to string for our God. Beads in the form of kind words and thoughtful actions. Of grace and selflessness and perseverance. Of love and gentle guidance, peace and contentment.
Let us create a lovely necklace that God, our Heavenly parent would be proud to show off to all!

You Promised!

I know. I did. A few weeks ago, I promised to post some photos from my brother's wedding. But, here's the thing: I was so moved by the lovely wedding that... I forgot to take pictures!

Here's the good side to this coin: Soon, the bride (my new and only sister-in-law) is going to give me a cd containing the proffesional photographs from the wedding and reception! Sweet! So, pretty soon, I should have some EXCELLENT wedding photos to share with you.

Also, I am attending a baby shower this Sunday for my new sister-in-law, who's making me a first time aunt at the end of the year! I have been having a great time sewing fun baby things for my new nephew, and I can't wait to give my sister a basket of home-sewn goodies! My hubby will be on Daddy-duty, so I *should* be able to get some lovely pictures of the baby shower, (since I won't be juggling any babies or toddlers) including the things I made!

Speaking of things I've made, I am going to make my famous "French Toast Casserole" to bring to the Baby Shower Brunch. It is a very simple breakfast that I came up with so that I could feed a big group a homemade breakfast, without spending all morning cooking it.  This time, I am addng an even simpler twist.

Mallorie's French Toast Casserole:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
Thickly grease a 9"x13" casserole dish with softened butter. Cube up enough cinnamon swirl bread (we love it from Trader's Joe's) to fill the dish 3/4 full. Beat well some eggs (around 1 dozen) by hand and pour them over the cubed bread (the eggs should come halfway up the bread cubes, so use more or less eggs as needed.) Drizzle a little melted butter over the top of the bread cubes, then sprinkle some brown sugar on top of that. Bake uncovered for 20-30 min or until the eggs are completely set. The top will appear golden brown and crisp when done, and the brown sugar will be slightly crunchy and carmalized. Allow to cool briefly, then serve in squares, pouring hot maple syrup over each serving. SO GOOD!

Have a blessed day!

MOVING!!!

We are packing up around here and moving to a better apartment on September 14th. We praise the Lord that we will have a yard for the children now, and FINALLY washer and dryer hookups!!! A safer neighborhood, closer to church, husband's workplace, family, shopping, and more. This is certainly a time of abundant blessings for our little family.

Eating Cookies and Coloring

Big Announcement Post coming soon :-)
For now, here is a simple picture of what we're doing right now. Have a wonderfully blessed day with Him!

Your Promises are True

Oh Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Your name
Your words are true
Your mercy does not change
All your promises are precious
Reviving our faith
Every one of them will be fullfilled one day

All Your promises are "Yes" and "Amen" Jesus
Your promises are true
All your promises are "Yes" and "Amen" Jesus
We'll keep running after You

I learned this song in my high school bible study group. (there might be more verses), and it popped into my head this morning. Isn't it wonderful to know that it's Truth? I forget where it's written in the Bible, but when I find it, I'll add the Scripture verses below.

Be abundantly blessed in Him today, and don't forget to talk with Him!

Here is a parting shot of Caitlin to brighten the day :-)

Freeze Those Imperfect Moments

Sometimes when life feels hard, I want a break for a while; a little getaway from reality and responsibility. Then there are times like right now: some dirty dishes in the sink, toys on the floor, me drinking coffee and still partially jammie-clad...and the children playing happily, quietly on the floor together. These moments I want to freeze and keep forever. No, they aren't perfect, but they're precious. And they'll never come again.