A Day In The Life.

I got this idea from another blog and thought it would be fun to look back on one day. I probably shouldn't have chosen today but it happened, so here we go.

Annabelle and I co-sleep because I think I would go insane if we didn't. I try not to look at the clock every time she wakes me up to nurse because honestly it's just extra frustrating. I will say my day started at 7:30 because that's when I actually knew what time it was. I nursed Annabelle and must have fallen back asleep because the next thing I knew Christopher and Charlie got in my bed and it was 9:15. Charlie said "I need go potty mama," and after I realized she took her diaper off and was on my bed naked, I jumped up and asked Christopher to take her to the bathroom.

When Christopher was back I put him in charge of watching Annabelle while I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Today was going to be a no shower day and I quickly accepted that. But mass chaos happens in my bathroom and bedroom unless I do what needs to be done then lock the door.

I try my hardest to let Christopher be a kid when he's home. I honestly despise the "Dugger" style of parenting as I call it, but some days I use Christopher more than I'd like to. Today was going to be one of those days. We were planning on going to Little Giggles so I needed to get everyone dressed, fed, baby bag packed, snacks packed, and the house sort of picked up before we left. Madelyn stayed at my mom's last night so it was one less child, but it still takes a LONG time to get ready to leave my house. Especially when Charlie has now entered the phase of not wanting to wear a diaper even though she is not potty trained.

Just as soon as I had everything packed and ready, Christopher and Charlie were in the car, Annabelle has a blow out...Everywhere!

Little Giggles was a bust. I think they are bored of it now because no one was having fun and they were not listening or following directions. David brought McDonald's and no one was eating. Annabelle was nursed twice, put into the carrier, rocked, but nothing was working. I quickly asked David to help me get them in the car and we left. It was a waste of $35.00 for sure.

I get home and my first thought is that it's nap time! Annabelle is highly distracted these days when nursing so I try to take her into my room and lie down with her until she falls asleep. During that time Charlie took her clothes off and got in the baby pool in the backyard...
Charlie was next and she fought me tooth and nail. She refused to put a diaper on and I had zero energy left, so she is sleeping with panties on. It will just add to the mother load of laundry that's waiting on me.

It's now time for a deep sigh and strength from God because there is a lot of stuff to get done.

I turn on a movie for Madelyn and Christopher. I feel bad that I'm not giving Madelyn one on one time so I give her an ice cream cone and turn on Lilo and Stitch. Christopher wants to go to a friend's house and I let him but he comes back a few minutes later saying they're not home. So Madelyn is now bored and Christopher is upset that he's not getting to play. I decided to have a little talk with Christopher about how mommy can't do everything by herself so when I ask him for help it's because we're a family. We're there to help each other. He shrugs me off and goes to playing video games.

I get to my list:
clothes in the dryer
2 loads of dirty clothes
2 loads of diaper laundry
picking up massive amounts of kid clutter
dirty dishes
unpacking from Little Giggles
oh, and maybe getting to eat something for lunch

It's 2:00 PM and I'm exhausted, frustrated, and feeling like a bad mother....

I think I'm just going to stop here. I still have to pack all the kids up to take them to Christopher's gymnastics lesson, attend my weight watchers meeting, pick up the house again, make dinners, give baths, finish laundry, nurse another 7 times, etc. I'm sounding like whine bag and everything that's coming from my mind is negative. All I want to do is stuff my face with the chips and cookies that I stare at all day long. But remind myself they're not weight watchers approved, get mad that I can't have them, then get over it.

Annabelle is now crying and I realize nothing on my list is going to get done. She took a whole 40 minute nap...


What I do know is that my job is hard, stressful, exhausting, frustrating, and endless. But it's also awesome, beautiful, important, and God sees... He hears my heart, and gave me a wonderful husband to help. I couldn't do it without that man for sure. I'm blessed and today was just another day. It's okay that I'm frustrated and would trade places with David in an instant. Tomorrow may be exactly like today but it's another day living in God's grace and that's AMAZING!

Love,
Lisa

I am a work in progress.

My daily devotional this morning was about our attitudes towards ourselves. And I think God knew exactly what I needed to hear!
Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

It doesn't matter what others may think of you, or ever what you think of yourself. The only righteous judgment comes from God. Yes, I want people to know that I am a follower of Jesus and that I love my family and friends. I want to feel good about myself in the morning based on my words and actions of yesterday, but that has been a very big struggle for me lately.

I am an open book. I always have been and I always will be. I am a loyal friend, wife, mother, sister, and daughter. So when things or people get in the way of these relationships I can't seem to be objective and as Christ like as I should be. I'm working on that. But this morning I wasn't happy when I saw myself in the mirror. My heart and mind are full of hateful thoughts and negativity. I ask God to remove these feelings from my soul and to replace them with light and joy. I know he is helping me do this but it's on my shoulders to fix.

So I guess my point is that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of you but God. He knows what's in your heart. He doesn't care what car you're driving, what brand and size your jeans are, or what neighborhood your home is in. He wants your car to be driven to church and for your to offer rides to those in need. He wants jeans to be on a butt that's worshiping him. And he wants your home to be filled with his spirit and love.

I am a work in progress...

Love,
Lisa

It's our Anniversary!

Friday June 13th, 2007 is  a day I will always remember. David and I had plans to go see the newest Harry Potter movie and my mom was going to watch Christopher for a few hours.

I was sitting at my desk waiting for 5:00 to roll around when my dear friend Dolores handed me an overnight bag. Inside was a beautiful bouquet of roses and a note that said come outside to the main entrance and there would be a car waiting for me. Well, I looked around for my boss to make sure it was okay for me to leave early but there was no one in my department. I hoped that I wouldn't get in trouble but who would say no to a rose bouquet and a note from your handsome boyfriend?

Waiting for me in the parking lot were all my co-workers with huge smiles and tons of applause. Also a man holding a sign with my name on it outside of a limousine. I think my smile at the time was permanent for the next several hours.

He gave me an letter that said he was going to take me to a hotel and to let the front desk person know when I got there. We arrived at the hotel and I did just as he asked. The hotel desk clerk handed me an envelope which had a card key inside. The note said to go to the room and come in. Well at this time I had a suspicion that he was going to propose but I didn't want to get my hopes up because maybe it was just a little weekend getaway.

I knocked on the door because apparently I can't read directions when I'm super excited and nervous. No one answered! I kept knocking then finally let myself in... David greeted me down on one knee. He was wearing the same clothes that he did on our first date, had my favorite flowers, was playing our song, and was holding a box. Of course I started instantly crying and could barely understand what he was saying. And knowing David, it was something beautiful. But I screamed yes and put on the most gorgeous engagement ring I've ever seen.

Our wedding day was amazing. And best of all we got to share it with David's mother who is no longer with us. I remember David holding her up so they could dance together. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.  I thank God for that. I know in my heart that God let her hang on long enough to see her youngest son get married. She also asked me to promise that I would always take care of him and I will never go back on that promise.

David and the little boy who will look up to him forever.

I love this picture! David carried him down the aisle after we said I do and this is the first picture after that.

The first picture of our four beautiful children all together. BLESSED!

To this day I have no idea why God chose to bring this man into my life. David is truly my better half and at times I feel as though I don't deserve him. He has given Christopher the father he never would have had and has given our girls the ultimate role model. He's a kind and loyal friend, a wonderful father, and my husband! Ya hear that ladies? He's mine...

___________________________________________________________________________

Edited to add that David and I had a wonderful kid free meal at Ruth's Chris. My mom came over to watch the babies and we had 2.5 hours alone! It was great.

Mother's Day

I had the most wonderful weekend! Friday night David took Christopher to a baseball game so the girls and I went to a graduation party for Heather Martin at our church. The girls ran and ran until they almost passed out... That made for a very easy night for baths and bed.

The next morning Annabelle and I went to Tulsa with the ladies from church. I got some chocolate from Godiva, a pedicure, some much needed nursing shirts, sandals, and clothes for the kids. It was about 90 degrees and the bus's AC wasn't working properly, so other than that it was a lot of fun.

 

 

Then it was Mother's Day. David and Christopher went to church early to talk to Pastor Jonathan because they were getting baptized!!! That was present enough but I found a beautiful love letter from David, a bracelet that Christopher made me at school, handwritten letters from Christopher, and a sparkling locket on the dashboard of my car! I was overwhelmed with love and appreciation.

You can see my beautiful locket.

I found my gifts in the van as we were heading to church.

 

The church service was wonderful. My mom, Wayne, and our dear friends the Katzers came to witness the baptism. Then the Katzers came over to have lunch. That's always fun watching all the kids running around playing with each other.

After David was baptized he and Pastor Jonathan baptized Christopher together.

If that wasn't enough Wynne and I went to see Mother's Night Out with the tickets David bought us. The movie was nothing short of the story of my life. I reflected a lot and cried a lot. It was a great reminder that our children won't remember if the house was messy, or if their dinners aren't homemade. But they will remember that their mom and dad loved each other, loved them, and tucked them in at night while saying a prayer and I love you.

There have been many times that I have voiced frustration about feeling unimportant and unnoticed. Being at home with children all day is hard. It really is. And I've realized that the brunt of my frustration gets put off onto David because there's no one else for me to vent to. I am going to try to change that. I am going to put it in God's hands and just enjoy the fleeting time with my children that I love so much!

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers. We are important and God sees.

What a wonderful day!

The girls and I were supposed to go to The Crystal Bridges Museum for their preschool day but there was rain in the forecast so I decided that tromping through a museum with three wet kids that are 4 and under wasn't such a pleasant idea.

After several days of almost 90 degree weather (yes 90 degree weather in the beginning of May) it was a cooler morning and overcast which are my favorite days! We all went outside to ride bikes, draw with sidewalk chalk, and sit in the neighbors yard to pick their flowers (weeds).

David came home for lunch which I so appreciate. I was able to get a few things done while he was holding the nursling. After he left I decided to order pizza for lunch then felt guilty when I paid almost $20 when we had perfectly good food in the pantry.

Annabelle was asleep when it began to rain so Madelyn and Charlie got to go play. Their smiles and giggles were contagious and those are the memories I hope to never forget. I captured pictures and sent them to David at work and got some great video. One day we will look back on that footage and smile.

It has been a good day. A blessed day from God.