Under His Wings

It is very unusual that my 7 year old, Nate, is tired and whiny in the morning. He's been a lot better about getting up and in the bath tub in the morning this school year. Therefore, I kept him home from school this morning. He was complaining of a sore throat and ear ache. I got him home after taking Anna to school, and we just cuddled on the couch in a blanket. He read to me and I read to him. He told me he loved me and that I was a good mom. I wish he wasn't sick, but those special moments meant the world to me. After school, I was sitting here at the computer desk looking at my 5 year old, Anna was reading the directions to her homework and doing what it said...counting dots and writing down the number. My kids are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!!! A year from now, I'll be a mom of a teenager. YIKES!!!!!! The prospect of the teenage years honestly scare me a bit, but Elijah is growing up to be a very talented, smart young man. I know he'll be fine. I'm so proud of h...

It's been a year since I updated my blog. Wow! Time does fly when having fun! I was out for a walk today. It was a perfect day to take in the warm early fall air. This is my favorite time of the year. I love observing the hills around me transform into a wave of multi colored beauty. I also love the smell of freshly fallen leaves. Of course, I know that that means winter is close behind, but hey that means that the time of beautiful flowers will follow. I have a lot of neat plants in mind to try out next year. I'm planning on taking a lot of walks in the next few weeks. I signed up for a free county health program. I'll be able to measure how far I'm walking and get nutrition tips. I'm looking forward to the end of 6 weeks to see the results. I'll keep you all updated and share the treasures I find in my walking adventures. PS I've never really shared this blog before, so feel free to go back and check out my previous posts.

I love to sit by water. There is nothing more relaxing to me than to sit by the water and think. Even during a bit of rain like in this picture. The pitter patter of raindrops... ahh I could have spent hours sitting by the lake, but with 3 active kids, that wasn't possible. I came away from our recent nature vacation with a new appreciation for God's creation and also an appreciation for what wonderful blessings God has given to me. I wish Green Lakes State Park wasn't 2 hours away. Guess where I'd be if I lived closer. I loved the chirping of the birds, the pounding of the woodpeckers, and the sunshine hitting the lake first thing in the morning.  The peaceful moments sitting by the lake added to the wonderful experience. I'd love to be there in the fall when all the leaves are changed. That would be a breathtaking view!

It has been a while since I have blogged, but now that I have some quiet time to think, I will start writing again. Yes, quiet time! It is hitting me pretty hard today that I am the mom of a KINDERGARTENER, 1st grader and 6th grader. Yes, my oldest child is in Middle School! I know I shouldn't be, but I'm really emotional today. I guess it's just the fact that my last child is in school. I guess from the birth of my daughter nearly 5 years ago until now the reality of no more children really hit me this morning for the first time. No more buddies to keep me company during the day. Sigh! To be honest here, I've been struggling with some very strong emotional stuff the past few weeks and I've been at my wits end literally. I lost perspective on my blessings. See my beautiful family below? They are truly gifts from God (as our middle son Nate's name means) I was fed up with the kids fighting, my house always being a mess and many other things. I was to...

I shared these thoughts with my MOPS friends in the newsletter"The Announcer". It sums up my feelings of the tragic shooting in Binghamton NY, near my hometown and all the other violence and unrest in the world today. The shooting really shook me up. My mom drove past the Civic Center less than 24 hours before the shooting. I walked around the area countless times throughout my life. The teacher killed was the wife of one of my former doctors (a ear/nose throat specialist). My thoughts and prayers are with the victims families, the surviors, the emergency personnel who responded and the whole community. What a shock! Adventures in Mothering Because He Lives "How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy he gives, but greater still this calm assurance this child can face uncertain days….Because He Lives" Bill and Gloria Gaither Copyright 1971. As I sang that song on Sunday in church, those words brought tears to my eyes. I chose the song in ...

I've made the habit of praying with my little ones before they go to bed. It's been a big lesson for me listening to my 6 year old son Nate pray. First he prays he doesn't have any bad dreams. Then he proceeds to tell God what is on his mind. Tonight he told God he couldn't wait to taste the cake I made today. He doesn't usually eat chocolate stuff, so it will be interesting to see the answer to that prayer. One Saturday night recently he was telling God he was looking forward to going to God's House the next day because it was a good thing to do. My prayer is that his tender heart for God will grow and stay with him all of his life. That's a prayer for all 3 of my kids.

I had a wonderful day celebrating my husband's birthday today. Tim and I went to our boys' "Special Person Day" at school. Then we met Tim at work at 2:45 and went to a playground with the kids. We took a nice walk, ate beef stew and watched a video for a while. Yesterday was the 12th anniversary of our first date. Tim walked up to me after the morning service and told me he wanted to get to know me better. Hmmm! Sometimes I wonder if regretted that statement LOL! I read the journal of our first month together. It is still amazing to me how long I waited for Tim (I was 27 when we met) and then how quickly things happened after we started dating. It only took about 2 1/2 weeks to know we wanted to get married. We were married about 5 months later. Tim was the man I had been looking for. I'm more convinced of that now more than ever. He's a loving, caring, patient husband. He's a wonderful daddy too! I'm so thankful God sent him to me.