Circumstances

       As I lay in bed last night I started thinking about my day. The not so good mood I had been in, the way I let little things the boys were doing get on my my nerves. I've been blue lately because my best friend has moved to a town three hours away.  Overall,  just feeling down and sorry for myself.
    We are dog sitting while my parents are visiting family and on my mom's night stand I noticed a book. The title is Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson. I read the back cover and the inside flap and without even reading anymore I began to feel convicted. The story is of a girl who had been through some very tough times and at the age of 17 attempted suicide only to survive and be confined to a wheelchair.
    Here I was feeling sorry for myself over things that are actually blessings. I am blessed to have three beautiful boys, and a best friend (no matter where she lives)! This reminded me that our joy is not to be influenced by our circumstances!!! No matter what is going on in my life, I have a savior who loves me and that is the only thing that matters!
   I'm looking forward to reading this book because I received such a blessing from simply reading the overview. I will let you know what else I learn!
Proverbs 17:22 - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Blessings

    I ran across this article and thought it was so interesting. I'm going to do some reading in the Old Testament to learn more. Hope you enjoy!
 http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Family/Faith/2010/jan/speak-blessings.aspx

Progress

     Wow! We have made major progress the past few days. First, Canton has slept around 11 hours straight for the past three nights! He hit this milestone a little later than the other boys and a little later than I would have liked. But this has just made me appreciate it all the more!
     Secondly, Collin has gone all day with out wetting his underwear!  It is amazing to me how unique God has made every person. The potty training experience has been unbelievably different with Collin than it was with Carson. Of course a lot of that is the fact that I am much more laid back about it this time around. But this got me thinking about how their personalities are so different. I am so thankful that God knew exactly what He was doing when he made us each so special and unique! Carson is full of energy and always on the go. While Collin is much more laid back and go with the flow.  It won't be long before we see what Canton's little personality will be like!
          Psalm 139:13 says, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
  

Time Flies

      When I was a kid I spent a lot of time with a sweet lady from church, I lovingly called "Aunt Jane". Although she is no relation, I spent a lot of time at her home and even went on many outings with her.  Not long ago I took the boys and we paid Aunt Jane a visit. As I sat in her house visiting with her, watching my boys play and looking around at the house, it was like I was transported back in time. There I was as a kid sitting in the very same room! It felt like it was a few months ago rather than 20 years ago! It reminded me how quickly time flies! I know, I know, my parents have told me that for years.  All of a sudden I realized what they were talking about.
   The time has really flown since I had Carson. It seems like yesterday I was so excited to feed him cereal for the first time, to hear his first words, see his first steps. Now I'm looking forward to those things again not the second time but the third time around!! I guess all this to say,  I really want to remember that feeling I had sitting in Aunt Jane's living room. I want to remember that however long a day may seem that in reality the weeks are flying by.
       James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Our life is like a mist or a vapor.  When my mist vanishes what will I be leaving behind? I pray that if I accomplish nothing else, that my life will point others to Christ!

The small things

     I think at this stage of life for our family, I need to be thankful for the small things! It seems like I haven't had a REALLY productive day at home in a long time. But sometimes when I take a step back and look at my life I am reminded that I have a four year old, a two year old, and a three month old!! I think I forget that sometimes, lol!  I have all these hopes and expectations for my house to be clean, all the laundry washed and put away and a spectacular supper ready when Bart gets home. Bun in reality that's just now where I am in life right now.
    So, today I am thankful that Collin has used the potty three times this morning and hasn't wet any underwear so far!! This is actually a huge thing! I'm thankful that Carson spent some time doing a little preschool work. I'm extremely thankful that Canton is napping well today (probably because he didn't sleep well last night)!
     Verses that seem to fit today: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


  

Chores

I've always encouraged my boys to help around the house with chores other than picking up the things that belong to them. Big boy and middle man enjoy unloading the dishwasher most of all. But... I'm not very organized or routined about having them complete chores. I am planning to do preschool with the boys starting next month and I came across this link for printable chore cards and really liked her idea.
Maybe this will help us get it together!!  :-)

On a side note, the boys actually survived the dentist today. It's always a relief when they act appropriately in an unfamiliar surrounding! Hope everyone is having a terrific day!

By the way, here is the link for the chore cards!
http://biblicalhomemaking.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-printable-chore-cards-tutorial.html

When you are squeezed, what comes out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dUFiWE83Ac&feature=youtu.be


Is your spouse irritating? It may be you not your spouse! This video might challenge you because it did me.

You have to start somewhere

To start off, the title of my blog pretty much sums up the two most important things in my life! The joy of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and my boys. My boys include my three sweet little men and my wonderful husband. I'm not sure why I think I'm going to have time to keep up a blog along with the business of everyday life. But over the past several months I have been faithfully reading a couple different blogs that have been very encouraging and informative. I by no means expect to be as interesting or helpful as the authors I have come to enjoy but I decided to give it a shot. If I am able to encourage one person that's awesome!