SweetPea Castle

Hot tea with honey and lemon

Everyone has fallen ill with a nasty respiratory virus.  I am enjoying more hot tea with honey and lemon than coffee these days.  It's a good thing that I stocked up on tea.  So, I've not had any time to post.

I have a lot of things that the Lord is bringing to my mind and my heart.  I really hope to be able to share a bit soon.  But, they will have to wait until I've had more time to put it all down on paper (or keyboard).

Just a quick update for family and friends that are reading... we are really doing okay.  This cold is just kicking our butts.  So, we are taking it very easy and being quiet till it passes.  My prayer is that Jason would be healed of it quickly as he is leading worship Sunday morning and evening.  It's awfully hard to sing with a chest and head cold.  At this point, I am pretty sure that I will be keeping all of the children home.  We do not wish to infect anyone or be re-infected by anyone.

We are adjusting to some new health issues.  I am bordering on diabetic.  I have PCOS and have been "pre-diabetic" for years.  The gestational diabetes with the last pregnancy really tipped me over the border into regular diabetes.  This is not unexpected, but it does require greater management of my health and exercise habits.  And, Jason was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes too.  So, he has had the wonderful experience of learning how to poke himself with sharp sticks and let a digital meter tell him what his blood glucose is.  He's also working on better eating and exercise habits.  AND... he has sleep apnea.  So, this coming week he is getting a CPAP machine and learning all about that.  I can honestly say... PRAISE GOD!  Perhaps now both of us can sleep better.

I am so blessed to know that he is taking all of this seriously and is committed to getting his health under control.  It's awesome to see the many ways that God gets our attention.  I'm rejoicing that it didn't take anything more serious than a random health screening at his employers a few weeks ago.  The Lord knew just what we BOTH needed.  You see, he and I can do this together!  WE can work together to get and stay healthy.

Time for bed.  I've got to get enough rest to function with the littles tonight and tomorrow.  None of us have been sleeping well.  I pray that the Lord is real to each of you tonight. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) ~ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 4

FOR TODAY - October 27, 2008

Outside My Window... a chilly wind cuts right through you if you are standing outside.  I am enjoying watching the trees in the orchard being moved as if in a special chorus just for me to see.

I am thinking... that it is great to have my husband home again.  I need to find ways to show him how much I love him more often.

In the learning room... Noah is into his next set of lifepacs and doing fantastic.  I am preparing to switch to the computer based Switched-On-Schoolhouse for next year to see how we do.  I am planning out the new "school room".

I am thankful for... the Lord's mercy and forgiveness... but most of all for his joy.

From the kitchen... Noah is cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  We are having shepherd's pie for dinner.  My husband prepared the pan last night and left it in the fridge for me to cook this evening.  His shepherd's pie is the BEST!  I will be working on the meal plan for this week later this morning.

I am wearing... jeans and a long sleeved nursing shirt.  I need to find some socks soon.  My feet are freezing!  I'd love to be wearing a comfy long skirt, but they are still too tight right now.

I am creating... warm knit socks for me, a coat for my neice for Christmas and dresses for my girls.  I've got the finishing touches to put on my two custom diaper orders this morning and they will ship out tomorrow.

I am going... to balance the checkbook and bills this week.  Things are very off and I need to find where we can fix things or what we need to change.

I am reading... the Bible - John specifically.  I am also going to start an inductive study this week.

I am hoping... that a good study of the word will restore my heart and lacking attitude.  I want to be that "joyful mother of children" in my home.

I am hearing... the TV going.  As soon as the current Winnie the Pooh show is over it will be going off.  Tabitha is sitting next to me humming.

Around the house... seems to reflect the disorganization and clutter of my heart.  I want to be so much better than I am.  But, I can honestly say that I sincerely dislike housework.

One of my favorite things... I am enjoying a hot cup of coffee in front of the fire with my four littles playing contentedly around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Sewing!  I need to get some sewing done.  And knitting!  I am enjoying these socks, but I need to finish Cheyenne's coat.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

   

The sky is beautiful over the orchard this morning. 

Zephaniah 3:17 ~ "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." 

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Rough mornings make glorious days

I am tired.  I am weak.  I am not having a good day.  And... I need to repent.  Seriously!

I have fallen back into my past ways of being angy and yelling at my children when they are in trouble.  This is NOT the kind of mommy I want to be.  They deserve more from me and I know that God wants me to honor Him in my handling of these blessings.

So, today I start a new day determined to make changes.  A fresh start, if you will.

Today I am going to serge the diapers for these two orders and prepare for next week... while the children are playing under my feet.  I am going to listen to some wonderful teachings and worship music on my iPod while we are in the sewing room.  And, then I am going to load the children into the van and run errands.  No, I take that back.  I am going to load them up and run errands... then come back and work in the sewing room.  I want for them to have the best of me.  And, I am NOT going to raise my voice with them.

Ephesians 4:29 ~ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Above all, I am anxiously looking forward to my husband's return.  He should be home late late tonight... or in the wee hours of tomorrow morning.  I have missed him a lot and the children have too.  I am going to let him sleep in a bit tomorrow and then spend a little time with him before I go to the monthly ladies meeting at church.

Honey, I love you with all of my heart and cannot wait for you to return.  I am so blessed that you have gotten this time away to invest in your ministry and grow in Christ.  I am praying for your safe return.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 3

FOR TODAY - October 20, 2008

Outside My Window... it is crisp, frosty and sunny.  It's still only 43 degrees outside.

I am thinking... of what all needs to be accomplished this week and wondering how I'll get much of it done without my husband home this week.

In the learning room... We are taking tests this morning and moving onto our next Lifepac starting tomorrow.  I am trying to lighten up on Noah's penmanship through the lifepacs and just work with him on the actual penmanship curriculum that we got.

I am thankful for... Each and every precious day I get with my husband and children.  I am thankful for the Lord's blessing and provision for my household... even when things seem to be tight.

From the kitchen... there's a real mess in there that I just have GOT to get cleaned up this week.  I'm planning simple and yet healthy meals for the littles and myself.  I don't want to do anything too extravagant or taxing when my hubby isn't here to help or enjoy it.

I am wearing... jeans, comfy socks and a long sleeved nursing shirt.

I am creating... I have everything ready to start work on dresses for the girls.  I've also got the fabric pulled for two custom diaper orders that I want to get done this week and next.  I'm also still knitting the swing thing coat for my neice, Cheyenne.  That is going incredibly slowly.  I am really itching to start knitting my next pair of socks.

I am going... to go nurse Josiah and put him down for a nap.  Then, I'm going to get some work done in the sewing room before lunch while Noah finishes his tests.  I would like to have a little time out back with the children each afternoon this week.  We'll see how well that works.

I am reading... the Bible - Luke specifically.  I'm also planning on starting a new bible study this coming week.  So, I'm preparing for that.

I am hoping... that my husband is blessed and ministered to during the worship conference he is attending this week.  It's amazing to see how much the Lord has moved in his life and the worship ministry.

I am hearing... the children each playing in their own seperate areas and Noah working on his Math test.  Josiah is also making it known that he is tired and ready for a nap.

Around the house... are lots of piles of stuff that need to be decluttered and organized.  I am going to start with the girls' dressers this week.

One of my favorite things... is grading Noah's tests and realizing how well he is really doing... and seeing areas that we need to work harder in.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Staying home with the children and keeping things simple and easy.  Although, I might try to surprise the children with a trip to the library on Wednesday or Friday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

  

The mountains are beautiful this year and I am blessed to be about to see this view off of my back deck this morning.  All of the different colors are really starting to come out. 

Psalms 92:4 ~ For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Little Steps...

So far, this has been a good week.  I am feeling a little under the weather... some sort of tummy bug... today.  But, I'm sure it is just a minor inconvenience.

Noah's homeschool work is coming along nicely.  He is doing really well with his studies and with keeping a proper attitude.  That's been our biggest challenge the last week with his cold.

The girls are doing well.  Eliana is doing very well with writing her letters and trying to learn how to write the names of her siblings.  She will be starting Kindergarten next fall.  Tabitha is doing fantastic.  She is potty learning!  I am working more with her on signing.  I think that our next step with her is trying to find a speech therapist that will take our insurance or do this through the county/state.  I need to discuss this further with Jason to see what he wants me to do.

Josiah is a little piggy.  He turned his nose up at ANY form of baby food... until I got him the little fruit puffs... kinda like cheerios.  He LOVES them.  And, he loves the dried apples and the cheese puffs.  This change in eating habits made me remember why I really didn't want to introduce anything other than breastmilk until I "had" to... the diapers are awful!  Yuck yuck yuck!  Now, I need to see how he likes peas and carrots.

I just finished my last custom order.  It will ship out tomorrow.  I need to get pictures of them and package everything up to ship.  I was also just notified that a custom that I shipped to Canada has just arrived!  Nothing like taking a bit.  It was shipped on the 4th... via Express!  I'm going to email the mama tonight and be sure that everything is to her liking and arrived okay.

I'm going to relax and enjoy some knitting time while Josiah is down for his afternoon nap.  Perhaps I should just lay down on the couch and close my eyes for a bit.  I am amazed at just how well the Lord knows me and makes sure that I rest and just enjoy watching my children play around me.  Sometimes we just get too busy and He needs to slow us down.

Psalms 92:4 ~ For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - 2

FOR TODAY - October 13, 2008

Outside My Window... it is dark and cooling.  It's been a long day and it's time for bed.

I am thinking... it is already past my bedtime.  Last night was a long night with the baby.

In the learning room... We are working through our third lifepac and getting back on schedule.

I am thankful for... His forgiveness and mercy when I can't do anything to deserve or earn it.

From the kitchen... Jason just made a really yummy chicken dinner.  I need to get in there and prepare the coffee pot for morning.

I am wearing... sweat pants and a t-shirt.

I am creating... a custom diaper order for a customer that should be finished tomorrow or Wednesday.  I am also working on some dresses for the girls.

I am going... to shut this laptop off and head to get some sleep as soon as I publish this.

I am reading... the Bible.  I really haven't the time to read much else and I haven't decided which study I want to delve into next.

I am hoping... the children all sleep well tonight and we get enough rest.

I am hearing... the History channel on the TV and the baby monitor scanning through the three children's rooms.

Around the house... are the signs that I wasn't home for much of today and didn't get much of anything cleaned up.

One of my favorite things... is enjoying a hot cup of coffee with my morning Bible reading... BEFORE my children are up.  It's too bad that I have become so lazy and don't get up that early these days.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Nothing much planned for the rest of this week.  We are trying to enjoy the simpler style of life.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Sometimes it really IS that bad.  And there isn't anything that can be done about it except crying out to the Lord and being wrapped in His faithful arms.  Josiah is going through a growth spurt and is teething really badly.  He just wants his mommy and NO one else will do.  Not even Memaw.  I find that when my babies are struggling, often I am too.  This is time that the Lord is drawing me to Him so that I can be comforted and in turn can provide comfort to my little one. 

Psalms 145:19 ~ He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Economy and Entitlement

With the current state of the economy I've been doing a LOT of thinking and praying.  Over the summer Jason was laid off and we were blessed that the Lord provided another job almost immediately.  It's awesome that the Lord has continued to provide for us.  But, it's not without challenges... things are tighter financially and we're beginning to feel it more.

But, things could be a lot worse and I am fully aware of that.  I rejoice daily in the Lord's timely and abundant provision. 

Our country is a mess right now.  We've all come to believe that we are entitled to houses that are really mini mansions.  We are entitled to new cars and new stuff to fill our mini mansions.  We have been living for today on tomorrow's money for years.  It's no wonder we are in this mess.

It's time to reign in our personal spending and be responsible for our own actions.  The government didn't bail everyone out during the Great Depression... so why should we expect that it should bail us out now?!?

I'm taking the time to support my fellow small businesses and buy responsibly.  If I can't afford to pay cash... then I'm not buying it.  I'm staying focused on paying off all of my debt and staying free of it.  What are you doing to help your family through this time?

Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I recently found this meme and was inspired after reading other participants.  So, I'm joining Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook and trying to post every Monday as I am able.

I believe that starting the week with a positive focus is essential and rewarding... so here goes.

FOR TODAY - October 6, 2008

Outside My Window... it is beautifully clear and crisp.  Autumn brings the relief of cooler air and warmer hearts.

I am thinking... that it's past time to get the house cleaned up and prepared for the upcoming holidays.

In the learning room... We are working on getting back into regular schooling routines with Noah.  I am also going to work on some fun creative learning with all of the littles and some fingerpaint.

I am thankful for... the time I get to spend with my family.  I am thankful that Tabitha is doing so well with potty learning.  The Lord's healing as we treat this rash under her arms.

From the kitchen... There is fresh made coffee beckoning me.  Tonight we will have a new recipe of pasta.  I'm excited to see how the children like it.  I am endeavoring to make more healthy and yummy meals for my family.  I have been out of the kitchen for too long.

I am wearing... frumpy jeans and a nursing shirt with warm socks.  I need to lose weight so that I can fit into some of my nicer clothes again.

I am creating... a mess in my sewing room.  I really need to clean it up before I can get any more creative.

I am going... to live this week in JOY!

I am reading... the Bible.

I am hoping... to become faithful in my eating and exercise committment.  The Lord has challenged me to take better care of the temple He has given me.  I need to lose about 60 pounds.

I am hearing... the peace of two littles sleeping and two older ones playing quietly together.

Around the house... are the signs that I need to be more faithful with my time and get organized and cleaned up.

One of my favorite things... is watching my children take the tentative first few steps.  Josiah is beginning to walk and took his first steps on his 9th month birthday.  He's growing way too quickly.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Exercise, proper eating, and plenty of rest.  I've got a custom diaper order to get done and instock items to work on.  I plan to spend quality time daily with the children doing something purely fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

There really should be more truth in advertising.  ;-)  This is one of my all-time favorite custom diapers.  Perhaps it's because I've been so crabby recently and should have been wearing a similar warning... perhaps it's because God showed me that I needed to get myself out of that attitude.

There are many other wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in
The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Edifying Speech...

Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) ~ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 
 
Therein lies the reason I have been posting less recently.  There's another simpler way of stating it... "when you can't say anything good... don't say anything at all".

I have been in a really bad "funk" for a while now and just not able to work my way through it.  And, although I don't proclaim to have been completely "set free"... I do proclaim to be on the path.  Somewhere along the way (over the past two years), I got angry at God.  Even though I professed with my mouth that I trusted His timing and His ways... my heart showed a whole different attitude.  I wanted to believe this way... but, honestly I just didn't.

I wasn't ready for another child (yet) when we conceived Tabitha.  We confirmed her impending arrival (July '06) just before Eliana's first birthday (December '05).  But, I leaned on God and His Word and came to peace with His plan.  My heart was selfish.  I wanted more time for ME to be ready.  I wanted ... well... that's just it.  It was all about "I want".  And that's something I never wanted to be.  Pregnancy is always VERY rough for me.  Labor and delivery have always been a piece of cake.  But, the pregnancy was physically and emotionally draining on me.  And, bedrest with two littles ones at home made things more difficult.  Then, Tabitha has really been a sickly child.  A lot of recurrent ear infections, upper respiratory stuff, hearing issues and just plain weak immune system.  I was weary and struggling.

Jason and I committed our fertility to God's timing when we had my tubal reversal in December of 2000.  We've maintained that committment ever since.  So, we weren't really surprised when I got a positive pregnancy test on May 8, 2007... before Tabitha was even 10 months old.  But, we were struggling.  We had both been on our knees in prayer... asking that the Lord would give us longer to get our health and home in better shape... to have some time to focus on our marriage a little bit... to breathe.  But, Noah's prayers must have held more faith... well, we know that God's plans aren't always our own.  Noah was praying for a baby brother... and HIS prayers were definitely answered.

This pregnancy was also very difficult, but in slightly different ways than previously.  Although I did struggle with blood pressure issues, that was in the middle of my pregnancy and was definitely stress related.  But, because of those issues I had to abandon my heartfelt desire for a homebirth with a midwife.  My heart still aches from the loss of that desire.  Yet, I knew what was best for my family and for our baby.  This time, I also crossed the line and was Gestational Diabetic.  It was diet controlled and really nothing to worry about.  And, I didn't require the serious bedrest for the last three months that I had with the 3 previous pregnancies.  I rejoiced for that.

Josiah's birth was everything that I could have asked for when I submitted to not being able to homebirth.  Although we did have an induction, I went in already contracting and ready.  I also had no pain meds or epidural this time.  This was a BIG prayer answered for me.  But, it would seem that it too had come at a cost.  I was in serious lower back pain starting the night that he was born... and it didn't go away.

Jason and I had been praying throughout my pregnancy with Josiah that the Lord would have mercy on us and show us His will for our fertility.  WE were ready to be done.  But, we were also fully committed to whatever HIS plans for us were.  But, we were once again asking the Lord to at least close my womb for a time of healing.  Little did we know just how He would answer this prayer.

We rejoice over the blessings that the Lord has given us in each of our children.  And, we couldn't imagine life without any of them... even if we didn't feel "ready" for them at the time.  God's ways are perfect... how truly we know this.

So, we continue on after Josiah's birth... fully expecting to "get back to normal" as always.  I realized fairly quickly that there was something wrong and it was confirmed just 3 weeks after he was born.  I had a serious pelvic prolapse.  Everything was falling out and I was in significant pain.

We had our answer from the Lord about our fertility.  However, I was NOT happy about being the one who had to go through surgery and recovery for this.  I can actually look back at my attitude then and kinda chuckle.  How often do I ask something of God and then get mad when he answers me... just not the way I had anticipated?  The Lord has chosen to close my womb... and remove it... because it's falling out anyway.

So, I had the surgery on May 6th... a hysterectomy with complete pelvic repair/reconstruction.  I knew that I would have at least a 6 week initial recovery time.  I knew that it was going to be a difficult recovery.  But, I can honestly say that I was not prepared for how difficult it turned out to be... or for the complications.  I was not allowed to lift my baby... or any of my other children.  Someone had to bring Josiah to me to nurse... and then take him when he finished.  I could hold him in my lap... but I couldn't lift him or get up with him.  I was tied to my bedroom to recover so that my children didn't hurt me any more than I was already hurting.  And, the catheter... oh the catheter... that was torture and nothing that I would wish on my worst enemy.

The complications... I couldn't pee... and some of the surgical areas inside weren't healing properly.  So, I had to go back for further surgery on June 23rd to fix things.  Praise the Lord that surgery definitely helped.  I could finally pee on my own (without the catheter) and the inside areas were finally able to heal properly.  But, it hasn't been a complete success.  I still have some pain and urinary issues.  I'm on my third UTI since that last surgery... two of which have been in the last month.

So, where did all that leave me?!?  Still mad at God and just not able to get to the root issue.  I haven't said anything because I just haven't known what to say.  But, now I do.  God is God... whether we believe it or not... whether we understand things or not... and whether we like what He's doing or not.  I am resting in His promises.  Whether I am healed here on earth... or in eternity... I know that I will be healed.  And, I DO know that His ways are much better than my own.

So, while I adjust to my fresh new attitude, I wanted to share that it's been a long journey... but, I'm rejoicing to be where I am right now.  I choose JOY!