Tuesday Morning Musings
Day 4 of my bike riding……14 miles. The dragon fly ticker is going the wrong way…though I suppose gaining two lbs on vacation is much better than it could have been, all things considered.
There seems to always be wind in Western TX. Tailwinds are exhilarating….headwinds are not! Porta potties along side fancy homes still stink. (I think that will preach – somehow, somewhere).
America has a problem with obese children…so why are so many elementary kids riding motorized scooters to school?????
Tonight I begin teaching my first Bible Study since coming to GAFB. I’m trying to determine if I want to continue on in the footsteps that were laid or be myself. I’m guessing I’ll be myself.
Today ends our leave time – back to the routine. 6 weeks of school left.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Monday
The first day in May – wow.
Things I did on Monday:
I did some paperwork for PWOC.
Went to the hair dresser (cosmetologist) and got a “summer look”. I thought this meant a sporty new cut with attitude – she thought this meant platinum blonde! YOWZER! Unfortunately, the new color burned my hair…..she offered me a product called “dumb blonde”…..ok now.
Becky and Ian recommended Café Italia. This is an old Chinese buffet recently converted an Italian restaurant. I love Italian. We have always found a little Italian café with home cooked food and not should we say “unique atmosphere” every place we’ve been assigned. Mike took Stacia and me out to try this for lunch yesterday. Yes, it still smells like Chinese….and when we sat in our booth we almost slid to the floor….definitely qualifies as “unique”. {bg} We were the only ones in the restaurant. I got the pasta combo and it was “ok” but I think I’ll continue searching for whole wheat manicotti and lasagna noodles – I like my own as well or better. Mike had a great chicken penne, artichoke, and garlic butter dish…..yum. The Chocolate Cheesecake we shared was good too. {wink}.
Mike and I took the younger four to Payless shoes to take advantage of their buy one get one ½ off sale. They love to see us coming…well they cringe when we begin to make our way through the aisles (a bit like the devouring locusts in Exodus must have been) but they smile big when they ring us up. I’ll see about taking the older 3 today. I’m still looking for a pair of sandals with arch and heel support. I don’t think I can stand wearing these supportive tennies all summer.
Back at home – I ended the day with a migraine. Mike watched the little one and I took meds and went to bed.
I did NOT get Part 2 of our vacation journaled.
The first day in May – wow.
Things I did on Monday:
I did some paperwork for PWOC.
Went to the hair dresser (cosmetologist) and got a “summer look”. I thought this meant a sporty new cut with attitude – she thought this meant platinum blonde! YOWZER! Unfortunately, the new color burned my hair…..she offered me a product called “dumb blonde”…..ok now.
Becky and Ian recommended Café Italia. This is an old Chinese buffet recently converted an Italian restaurant. I love Italian. We have always found a little Italian café with home cooked food and not should we say “unique atmosphere” every place we’ve been assigned. Mike took Stacia and me out to try this for lunch yesterday. Yes, it still smells like Chinese….and when we sat in our booth we almost slid to the floor….definitely qualifies as “unique”. {bg} We were the only ones in the restaurant. I got the pasta combo and it was “ok” but I think I’ll continue searching for whole wheat manicotti and lasagna noodles – I like my own as well or better. Mike had a great chicken penne, artichoke, and garlic butter dish…..yum. The Chocolate Cheesecake we shared was good too. {wink}.
Mike and I took the younger four to Payless shoes to take advantage of their buy one get one ½ off sale. They love to see us coming…well they cringe when we begin to make our way through the aisles (a bit like the devouring locusts in Exodus must have been) but they smile big when they ring us up. I’ll see about taking the older 3 today. I’m still looking for a pair of sandals with arch and heel support. I don’t think I can stand wearing these supportive tennies all summer.
Back at home – I ended the day with a migraine. Mike watched the little one and I took meds and went to bed.
I did NOT get Part 2 of our vacation journaled.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Morning Musings
Another 10.25 miles this a.m. on the bike (oy my aching tush!!). I happened to be out riding at the time that young mothers and old mothers were getting their sleepy kids into the car for the daily trek to the day care. Kids were queuing up for their chance to enter that big, yawning, yellow transporter called - bus.
As I pedaled and prayed I began to realize how incredibly blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my children. It is easy to get burned out at home. There is never an end to the work that needs to be done. There is never a sense of “there I’ve played all they want me to play”. There IS a great sense of purpose…but it is easy to begin to think “if the kids were at school or I was working we could….” Today I’m filled with thankfulness to God and Mike for blessing me with the opportunity to stay home and mentor my children. I committed to being more aware of HOW I’m using this very pricey and valuable time. I need to find the balance between work (school and house), play (park, friends, computer, games, etc), and ministry (husband, children, chapel, computer communities). As I wrote a few weeks ago – I need to resist camping out at weariness. The best way to do that is to develop an attitude of gratitude!
I am thankful for a husband who values my mission, calling and contributions at home. He is willing to live without all the perks “The Jones’” have so that we can invest into the young lives with which God has blessed us. I need to honor his commitment to my staying home by embracing this time at home, using the time wisely and not dreaming of all the things I’d like to have and do (elliptical machines, LCD computer screens, vacations to Europe and Hawaii, every last piece of curriculum that crosses my path, days at the spa, romantic weekends away with Mike….). He works hard to provide me with the opportunity to spend this time at home….and I need to value this time.
Our neighbor runs a day care. I’ve watched those sleepy toddlers show up at 7:30 a.m. and go home at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. often they are in tears as they leave her home (which means she is a great day care provider!). I get mildly irritated when Stacia cries every time someone other than me tries to hold her (chapel, park, doctor’s office) and yet it would break my heart if she cried when she left the sitter to come home. I’m thankful that she is attached to me.
So often young moms are told “this time goes so quickly and they’ll be in school and you’ll have a life again”….but God has seen fit to plant me in this season for almost 21 years now. I must resist thinking “if the kids were in school the house would stay clean, I could go for lunch with buddies, I’ve done plenty of time at home” etc. I HAVE A LIFE!!! right now and it is tailor made for ME. A loving Father knows that there is nothing like these little arrows to sharpen me….to motivate me to deny self, to be consistent in the little things one more day, to work on my sharp words and selfish attitude one more day….A loving Father knows that if I were working I’d not have time to volunteer in the chapel and in the community. I’d not have time to enjoy the children. Yes, *I* like variety. *I* like to be running around town with kidlets in tow…but God has called me to see the value in staying home and mentoring and discipling the plants around my table.
I don’t judge those who are on a different path than I, but neither should I envy them their path. I must value the path that God has placed me on. I need to STAY on that path. It is very easy to be a “stay at home” mom who is never home. I could fill considerably more than 40 hours a week volunteering, mentoring, playing and never accomplish the mission that God has placed before me.
Thus ended my morning musings….
Another 10.25 miles this a.m. on the bike (oy my aching tush!!). I happened to be out riding at the time that young mothers and old mothers were getting their sleepy kids into the car for the daily trek to the day care. Kids were queuing up for their chance to enter that big, yawning, yellow transporter called - bus.
As I pedaled and prayed I began to realize how incredibly blessed I am to be able to stay at home with my children. It is easy to get burned out at home. There is never an end to the work that needs to be done. There is never a sense of “there I’ve played all they want me to play”. There IS a great sense of purpose…but it is easy to begin to think “if the kids were at school or I was working we could….” Today I’m filled with thankfulness to God and Mike for blessing me with the opportunity to stay home and mentor my children. I committed to being more aware of HOW I’m using this very pricey and valuable time. I need to find the balance between work (school and house), play (park, friends, computer, games, etc), and ministry (husband, children, chapel, computer communities). As I wrote a few weeks ago – I need to resist camping out at weariness. The best way to do that is to develop an attitude of gratitude!
I am thankful for a husband who values my mission, calling and contributions at home. He is willing to live without all the perks “The Jones’” have so that we can invest into the young lives with which God has blessed us. I need to honor his commitment to my staying home by embracing this time at home, using the time wisely and not dreaming of all the things I’d like to have and do (elliptical machines, LCD computer screens, vacations to Europe and Hawaii, every last piece of curriculum that crosses my path, days at the spa, romantic weekends away with Mike….). He works hard to provide me with the opportunity to spend this time at home….and I need to value this time.
Our neighbor runs a day care. I’ve watched those sleepy toddlers show up at 7:30 a.m. and go home at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. often they are in tears as they leave her home (which means she is a great day care provider!). I get mildly irritated when Stacia cries every time someone other than me tries to hold her (chapel, park, doctor’s office) and yet it would break my heart if she cried when she left the sitter to come home. I’m thankful that she is attached to me.
So often young moms are told “this time goes so quickly and they’ll be in school and you’ll have a life again”….but God has seen fit to plant me in this season for almost 21 years now. I must resist thinking “if the kids were in school the house would stay clean, I could go for lunch with buddies, I’ve done plenty of time at home” etc. I HAVE A LIFE!!! right now and it is tailor made for ME. A loving Father knows that there is nothing like these little arrows to sharpen me….to motivate me to deny self, to be consistent in the little things one more day, to work on my sharp words and selfish attitude one more day….A loving Father knows that if I were working I’d not have time to volunteer in the chapel and in the community. I’d not have time to enjoy the children. Yes, *I* like variety. *I* like to be running around town with kidlets in tow…but God has called me to see the value in staying home and mentoring and discipling the plants around my table.
I don’t judge those who are on a different path than I, but neither should I envy them their path. I must value the path that God has placed me on. I need to STAY on that path. It is very easy to be a “stay at home” mom who is never home. I could fill considerably more than 40 hours a week volunteering, mentoring, playing and never accomplish the mission that God has placed before me.
Thus ended my morning musings….
Sunday, April 30, 2006
NEW TICKER
{Yes, we are home - Part 2 of our vacation will be posted in the next few days - maybe. I'm feeling over-whelmed with jumping back into the routine!}
For those who noticed the new ticker....Mike has made a deal with me. When I have logged 500 miles on my bike he'll buy me the eliptical machine I've been dreaming of. I used to go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week (in San Antonio and Anchorage). Now that the girls are gone I simply can't take that much time out of the morning routine to go to the gym. I've thought a machine at home would be the answer. Mike is concerned about weight for moving....he also thinks I need to simply get outside.
SO....I took the challenge.
I can see good coming of this....1. I'll establish a work out routine before I buy the machine which would make it more likely that I'll use the machine when I have it, 2. this gives me a fitness goal I CAN make progress towards whereas the weight will be released when it will be released! In other words I want to see results somewhere! {G} and (I suppose) 3. Mike thinks I'll decide that I don't need the machine by the time I log 500 miles......we'll see. *IF* I still want it at the end of 500 miles he promises to purchase it.
I'm also trying to work up to one sit up a day! :::snort:::
{Yes, we are home - Part 2 of our vacation will be posted in the next few days - maybe. I'm feeling over-whelmed with jumping back into the routine!}
For those who noticed the new ticker....Mike has made a deal with me. When I have logged 500 miles on my bike he'll buy me the eliptical machine I've been dreaming of. I used to go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week (in San Antonio and Anchorage). Now that the girls are gone I simply can't take that much time out of the morning routine to go to the gym. I've thought a machine at home would be the answer. Mike is concerned about weight for moving....he also thinks I need to simply get outside.
SO....I took the challenge.
I can see good coming of this....1. I'll establish a work out routine before I buy the machine which would make it more likely that I'll use the machine when I have it, 2. this gives me a fitness goal I CAN make progress towards whereas the weight will be released when it will be released! In other words I want to see results somewhere! {G} and (I suppose) 3. Mike thinks I'll decide that I don't need the machine by the time I log 500 miles......we'll see. *IF* I still want it at the end of 500 miles he promises to purchase it.
I'm also trying to work up to one sit up a day! :::snort:::
CAT FIGHT!
While out on the bike this a.m. I saw a full-fledged cat fight! Wow. I am not sure I'd really ever seen one like this before. Two big furry cats...going at it "tooth and nail". They were making an ungodly amount of noise and mess. Fur was flying. They were expending a tremendous amount of energy and were rolling and jumping all over the yard....but they weren't going anywhere "purposeful". Everyone was giving them a wide berth.
As I rode on, I chuckled to myself. Mike has often teased me about my passion for mentoring, and leading women's ministry. He says I like to "herd cats". His cryptic comment began to make more sense to me....
Then I got very sad as I realized that far to often we ladies do tend to allow our relationships to shrink to nothing more than cat fights. We make a lot of noise, we refuse to co-operate, we make a giant mess, we exert a ton of energy but we accomplish nothing meaningful for the kingdom, we begin to repel instead of attract others...all because we do not let God be GOD in our relationships.
I made a new resolve to avoid cat fights this a.m. - of all kinds. Care to join me in avoiding cat fights? {G}
While out on the bike this a.m. I saw a full-fledged cat fight! Wow. I am not sure I'd really ever seen one like this before. Two big furry cats...going at it "tooth and nail". They were making an ungodly amount of noise and mess. Fur was flying. They were expending a tremendous amount of energy and were rolling and jumping all over the yard....but they weren't going anywhere "purposeful". Everyone was giving them a wide berth.
As I rode on, I chuckled to myself. Mike has often teased me about my passion for mentoring, and leading women's ministry. He says I like to "herd cats". His cryptic comment began to make more sense to me....
Then I got very sad as I realized that far to often we ladies do tend to allow our relationships to shrink to nothing more than cat fights. We make a lot of noise, we refuse to co-operate, we make a giant mess, we exert a ton of energy but we accomplish nothing meaningful for the kingdom, we begin to repel instead of attract others...all because we do not let God be GOD in our relationships.
I made a new resolve to avoid cat fights this a.m. - of all kinds. Care to join me in avoiding cat fights? {G}
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
We are OUT of here....as soon as I click publish and run everyone through the rest room.
Quick comments I forgot....several have emailed to see if Zander's comment about his "belly buddy" was an annoucnment that we were expecting....no...it is not! A Belly Buddy is a belly button in Zander speak.
Prayers for this week: connections with old friends....weather - thunderstorms are predicted....peace...I'm anal about coming home to a clean home and it isn't up to par this time....I will relax.
Quick comments I forgot....several have emailed to see if Zander's comment about his "belly buddy" was an annoucnment that we were expecting....no...it is not! A Belly Buddy is a belly button in Zander speak.
Prayers for this week: connections with old friends....weather - thunderstorms are predicted....peace...I'm anal about coming home to a clean home and it isn't up to par this time....I will relax.
Monday, April 24, 2006
One last thought as we bring this day to a close:
I dreadfully miss BreAnne and Krista!
My friend, Julie, in Anchorage is getting ready to move back to the lower 48. I called her to let her know we're praying for her, her dear husband, their big dog Jake and their twin boys as they transition to CA. She talked to BreAnne last week. They plan to "swing by" WA and take the girls to lunch. Julie promises me a first-hand, mother's-heart evaluation of how they are doing.
I dreadfully miss BreAnne and Krista!
My friend, Julie, in Anchorage is getting ready to move back to the lower 48. I called her to let her know we're praying for her, her dear husband, their big dog Jake and their twin boys as they transition to CA. She talked to BreAnne last week. They plan to "swing by" WA and take the girls to lunch. Julie promises me a first-hand, mother's-heart evaluation of how they are doing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)