Helped Wanted...

So Easter is coming up... Troy and I have decided that we don't want to fill our kids baskets with candy and knick knacks... they have grandparents that will shower them with plenty.  We are going to dye eggs and all of that fun jazz, but we also want to give the kids new Bibles.  They both got one when they were dedicated at church... Charity's is falling apart and Josiah's is not very kid friendly.  We love how excited the kids are to bring their Bible's with them to church, and Charity is amazing at memorizing scripture!  She inspires me!!

So..... Anyone have a great kids Bible they can reccomend?  We'll be shopping around as well!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want! Psalm 23:1

You ever have those days when your kids wake up so ridiculously early you just know its going to be a cranky day? I find it humorous that God has chosen to give me one of those today... since I am posting my gratitude list on Mondays! Makes it hard to be cranky!

As Troy scooped the kids into bed with us at 5:30 AM, I knew that he would have to get up in a few, which means that we'll all be getting up in a few since we are all piled in the same bed, I began praying that God would take away my crankies!!


"I just need a little more sleep, Lord!"
"You'll be okay, just rely on me for peace." He whispered back.
"Okay, Lord, I will do my best!"


0023 I made it to 1:00 PM, only losing it twice! Between the tired kids and the "not so cranky any more" mommy, I feel like that is quite an accomplishment!

0024 I am still on a diet! Sticking to it is not my favorite thing to do when I'd rather have Jr. Mints for lunch instead of steamed carrots, almonds, and apple sauce... but it'll be worth it. This leads me to...

0025 Lost 2 lbs!

0026 Sewing Machines

0027 Matchbox cars that are SO amusing to little 2 year old boys!

0028 VeggieTales, and 30 minutes of housekeeping productivity.

0029 Naps... I think that'll be there every Monday!

0030 Troy taking unexpected days off.

0031 Our small group!

0032 Tax Returns

0033 Dates with Troy

0034 Home "Movie Theatre", making tickets and popcorn, and reconstructing the living room.

0035 Seeing Kylie at the movies!

0036 Birthday parties at the park, and hanging out with family.

0037 Watching the kids play

0038 Charity's Pink Placebo

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want! Psalm 23:1

I'm counting my blessings... even the ones come before I am ready to start my day!

Will It Work?

I would think with 2 active children, I would be at least 20 pounds thinner. I just started a diet... my first actually. It’s not that I didn't watch what I ate, I just have never done any crazy only eat cabbage soup kind of diets, until now. I am sick of the pudgy that just will not come off, no matter how much I work out. (Wouldn't trade my kids in to be skinnier, but I totally blame it on them :o) I am doing the Flat Belly Diet... which seems to be good since you are actually allowed to eat (very beneficial to me since I like eating), your even allowed to eat dark chocolate...my personal favorite! The book asks you to keep a journal about your food/eating habits... discover what makes you crave the unhealthy things that make you fat... meaning cake, cup cakes, milk chocolate, processed food, Doritos, Cheetos... and the list goes on.

I think that I have made a personal break through on my craving motives... stress revolving around the kids...maybe all stress! When it takes 15 times to get Josiah to lay down in his bed so I can leave the room during nap time, I start thinking about cookies...mmmmmm! Sounds good right about now!! I think I am going to have to work on not stressing about so many things.

Anyhow, God has provided a wonderful scripture to help get me through... it is spring break this week, so we didn't have women's bible study, but I did get the homework that we are working on for next week. We are so blessed to have JoAnne Heim, who is at our church right now, as her husband is on staff with TwoIgnite, she is going to be teaching from Psalm 23 for the next 6 weeks. So what is the first verse? The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want. Praise God for his timing! I need that verse right now to get through these first few days of body de-bloating!!

Marvelous Monday

    You know, you can go all throughout the day in the name of trying to get something accomplished without taking any time to appreciate the quirky, and usually amazing things that are happening right before your eyes.  Like right now for example, I could be piping mad because I have already tucked my kids in for their nap and suddenly I am hearing Prince, "Tonight I going to party like it's 1999!" 
     At first I thought it was the mail man across the street listening to his little portable radio as he deposits the mail in each slot, and now I am realizing that it is the kids and my dream machine alarm clock... some dream machine! Their giggles gave it away. 
    I return satisfied... I closed the gate, trapping the little tigers in their room. hehehe!  So, back to the point, here is the reflection of the things that I took time to appreciate this week and today.

0001 All four Hunt's snuggling in bed in the morning

0002 Crocheted blankets that make even the most timid as fierce as a monster

0003 Spirited children that won't easily get taken advantage of when they are older

0004 Cheesy episodes of X-Files while snuggled up with my hubby on the couch after a long day of kids, homework, and housework

0005 Small stuffed animal/blankets that lull my kids to sleep and relax them through out the day

0006 Kites at the park on windy days... for several reasons... they are so cool to play with and watch, and they wear the kids out!

0007 Picnics

0008 The amazing weather that stirs in us the desire to be outside appreciating all of God's creation

0009 Big boy underwear... so cute!!

0010 Time to sit and be creative

0011 Trips to Costco, sampling so many foods throughout the store you leave full!  Who needs lunch?!

0012 People who do such generous things for you that it blows your mind... also allowing  you to see the amazing ways that God provides, even when it wasn't the way that you were expecting

0013 Sweet text messages from my husband that let me know that he's thinking about me even when he's busy at work

0014 Hair cuts... who knew something so simple could make you feel so good

0015 Reading the halarious blogs of things that happen in friends lives... makes me feel like me life isn't so ab-normal!!

0016 Quiet times with the Lord when I can hear Him whisper to me how much He loves me

0017 Friends to go to the park with and share crazy kids lives with

0018 Birthday parties and the little girls that are delighted with all the fun they are having

0019 Having a best friend that I can talk to, share every range of emotions with and shop with (enjoying shopping with a friend is what distinguishes a best friend from a husband :o)

0020 Snuggles with Connor (the best friend's baby!!)

0021 The symphony of sounds that I hear outside right now.  Birds, and owl (I think) an occasional dog bark.  It's nice to hear everything that is so alive cry out praises!  Why else would they make so much noise?

0022 Lost sunglasses that are now found... before I replaced them!

Simple Pleasures

Just some thoughts... I don't know why I try to complicate life all the time... putting too many things on the calendar, saying "yes" to helping with too many things, volunteering for everything under the sun... I'm getting much better about saying "no."

Whenever I clear my schedule of all those things, I find the things in this life to be so enjoyable.  It's so much fun to be with the kids uninterrupted and not on a tight schedule.  I find that my mind is more focused on the Lord when things are not so chaotic.  I'm a better mom and a more supportive wife.  I'm not stressed out!

We went to the park today after Charity's hair cut.  We just played.  Kicked off our shoes, climbed the jungle gym, made trains and went down the slide, and played catch.  I wish we had made a picnic... maybe that would be complicating things again!!  It was so much fun. 

I like the simple life.  It is very purposefully pursued and purposfully protected.

Goals

Life has been busy the last few weeks!! Despite it all, God remains. The plumb line in my life! We just completed the most wonderful Bible study in our women's Bible study at church, Priscilla Shirer's "He Speaks to Me."

I am not sure that I can quite put into words how God used this study in my life! I have, in fact, made 3 life goals as a result, and I wanted to share them here. I am pretty sure that I stole these straight out of the book, but the Lord has given them meaning to me that has changed me.

1. To humbly revere and adore God.

That seems so obvious, right? But how many times do I take my time with the Lord last in the day, if at all because of all the chaos... when I could have probably avoided it all in the first place by just being with Him first! He is the most important, steady and true relationship that I have in my life. Does knowing that make me a "God fearing woman?" I get that God isn't wanting me to run away scared... I am the created, in love with an amazing Creator, who would trade everything for a relationship with me. I desire to live a life that gives God respect and honor. I want to love him as he loves me, unconditionally, despite the circumstances of the moment or the people that are in our lives that shape us and make us more Christ like (that was the nice way to say they are difficult).

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. Isaiah 43:1-4 Message

2. Be joyful and thankful at the Discovery of God

His manifest presence is what I desire most! I can know that He is "there" "here" or where ever, but what I want to see is the work of his hands! He is always working and moving, and how exciting it is to set your heart and eyes on recognizing the little kisses and hugs that our Father leaves for us all the time! My sweet friend JoAnn (who will probably read this) has a list going every Monday of things that she is thankful for. I have been so encouraged by her notices of God's beauty and hand at work that I am also going to make a list. It’s funny what you notice when you ask for your eyes to be opened!!

Holy Expereince

Thanks JoAnn!!

3. Be submissive to the revelation of God's will

His will is not always revealed at the times when I think it should be, or when is convenient for me to know. I guess that's what makes it His will and not mine. I want to be hungry for God's presence, power, word, direction and peace... how do I accomplish this? Sit quietly at his feet. Bask in the stillness of my mind, ambitions, actions, and emotions, confident that I will hear the voice of God and be delighted in who he is and what he has to say to me!
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4


Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; Psalm 37:7

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Lamentations 3:25


I guess these may sound like simple goals.  Some days they may be, others, when I am reminded that I am run-a-muck with sin, and I forget whose blood has paid the price for me, I may need a good dose of simple truths that never stop being meaningful, no matter how many times I hear them.  I am  thankful that I have a gracious God who doesn't tire of telling me that he loves me and he never tires of his loving correction of me... for the ultimate goal of becoming more like him.

The Truth About the Defeat of a Dragon

In case you are not familiar with the Disney version of the beloved fairytale "Sleeping Beauty," here is a little synopsis.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, a beautiful princess was born ... a princess destined by a terrible curse to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and become Sleeping Beauty. Masterful Disney animation and Tchaikovsky's celebrated musical score enrich the romantic, humorous and suspenseful story of the lovely Princess Aurora, the tree magical fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, and the valiant Prince Phillip, who vows to save his beloved princess. Phillips bravery and devotion are challenged when he must confront the overwhelming forces of evil conjured up by the wicked and terrifying Maleficent. Embark on a spectacular adventure of unprecedented scale and excitement in this thrilling, timeless Disney Classic. (http://www.fpx.de/fp/Disney/Scripts/SleepingBeauty/)

This is a favorite movie in our house. Even Josiah can enjoy a good tale of good versus evil and prince and princesses when there is a dragon and swords involved! He is such a good brother in fact, that he will even sing the "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..." song and dance with the ladies of the house! (He’ll make a good husband someday.)




Today he figured out how tiny prince Phillip defeated that nasty dragon version of Maleficent. See below...

I can see why construction equipment is so important!!

Sorting out the Mess

Car accidents are really inconvenient messes… just in case anyone wanted to know. God has been so good. Last night I was feeling really defeated and discouraged about circumstances… God blessed me with Psalm 37.  I was so encouraged with the fact that the Lord fight for me... even when people don't tell the truth, even when earthly justice doesn't seem to be happening, God is still sovereign!  So, I will take refuge in the One who sees the beginning and the end.

Psalm 37

A Psalm of David.

Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb.

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;

And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The wicked plots against the righteous And gnashes at him with his teeth.

The Lord laughs at him, For He sees his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy,

To slay those who are upright in conduct.

Their sword will enter their own heart, And their bows will be broken.

Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD sustains the righteous.

The LORD knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever.

They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, And in the days of famine they will have abundance.

But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,

They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.

For those blessed by Him will inherit the land, But those cursed by Him will be cut off.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,

Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

I have been young and now I am old,

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.

Depart from evil and do good, So you will abide forever.

For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones;

They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

The righteous will inherit the land And dwell in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.

The wicked spies upon the righteous And seeks to kill him.

The LORD will not leave him in his hand Or let him be condemned when he is judged.

Wait for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land;

When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

I have seen a wicked, violent man Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more; I sought for him, but he could not be found.

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; For the man of peace will have a posterity.

But transgressors will be altogether destroyed; The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;

He is their strength in time of trouble.

The LORD helps them and delivers them;

He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

Because they take refuge in Him.