I have really enjoyed my kids this weekend. Do you ever have times like that where you just soak in the things you love about the people around you? I tried to do that with my kids this weekend. That's not to say it was a blissful weekend that I spent reveling in them 24-7. It was a pretty average weekend with some standard housework and home improvement projects - which were surprisingly not terribly difficult to tackle with small children running around as I would have thought. But the thing is that I was able to step back and admire them at several points throughout the weekend. And really, I've been trying to do this for the past week or so. I am finding that it changes my perspective overall and helps me to be more patient them when they are having not-so-admirable moments.
Owen cracks me up. He's a funny little guy and he's starting to get that certain things are always good for a laugh - like singing happy birthday to the potty or answering a question with a pondering "maybe...". He loves the sound of his own laugh, especially a deep growling chuckle and we both end up just laughing at the laughter. He dances like no one is watching - especially when there's a good beat. He is a sweet natured boy (despite his raging temper) and is always giving me kisses or patting my arm when he sits next to me.
Kate loves to expand her vocabulary. She often surprises me with the words she uses - correctly. She loves being read to. She puts together some wild outfits - the turquoise ankle socks she wore with her white shoes and Sunday dress yesterday were actually pretty tame in comparison. She is very loving and nurturing and is about the best big sister Owen could ask for, even if I do have to remind her that she's not his mommy now and then. She loves to make cards for us that say "I LUV U MOM DAD" often in the shape of an oval that was trying to be a heart.
I love these guys!
Monday, August 16
Thursday, August 12
Whirlwind Wednesday
So this is how my Wednesday went: Early Intervention visit in the morning, after lunch took Owen to the doctor for a 1:40 appointment to treat his double ear infection (during naptime, of course - why would a sick kid need a nap?), on the way home stopped by the library to pick up a book on hold that was about to expire and by Walgreens to drop off Owen's prescriptions, home to drop Owen off with Nana for a late nap while I went grocery shopping for the first time in weeks on Senior Wednesday, home to put groceries away while listening to the songs for worship team practice later, headed to church for dinner late and hitting every red light along the way, scarfed down some dinner, worship team practice (the highlight of the day), headed home to put the kids to bed late stopping at Walgreens on the way home to pick up Owen's prescriptions and cough medicine for Kate who seems to be coming down with something, applied medicines, put kids to bed. I thought I would sleep well last night, but I was actually awake for a few hours in the middle of the night, during which I paid bills and filled out the kids' school forms.
Today will be a down day! There will probably be some laundry and housework to do, but otherwise we're going to stay home and rest. Hopefully everyone will mend quickly - and I won't get sick!
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:29-31
Today will be a down day! There will probably be some laundry and housework to do, but otherwise we're going to stay home and rest. Hopefully everyone will mend quickly - and I won't get sick!
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:29-31
Tuesday, August 3
Mission Indy
James and I are home and nearly recovered from our week away. We are sponsors/teachers for the middle school class at our church and this past week we went with them and the youth ministers to Indianapolis for a mission trip. The program we attended is called Mission Indy. This was my second year attending Mission Indy and James' first. What an awesome program! Groups come to Indianapolis to help with various construction-type projects while being encouraged and motivated to find ways to serve God and others when they return home. I was really challenged throughout the week through the daily devotionals and speakers to find ways I can further God's Kingdom here in Knoxville. I really like the model of Englewood Christian Church where we stayed for the week - several groups worked on homes owned by the church that were only one or two blocks away. Other groups worked on converting an old school building next door to the church into a residential facility for people with special needs. Being in an urban neighborhood, the needs are sometimes a little more obvious than those in our neighborhood. In fact, as I write this, news is coming out about a fatal shooting in a neighborhood only a few miles from where we were. However, things aren't perfect in our area, the problems just look different here.
Anyway, my group worked on gutting an abandoned house (actually one unit of a duplex). This entailed removing the furniture as well as paraphernalia left by squatters, one of whom I hear came by to remove some things while this work was being done. Then we removed carpeting and flooring before being assigned to tearing down the walls - primarily plaster walls with wooden lathe boards underneath. This was very physical work involving lots of hammering and prying. One night, I woke up and realized I had been hammering in my sleep! James was with the other part of our group, who worked on re-hanging plywood and Tyvek on one side of a house to prepare it for siding. They then dug, framed, and placed gravel subbase for a walkway along the side of the house to prepare it for concrete placement. We all ended the day filthy and exhausted, hit the showers, and then stuffed ourselves on outstanding food prepared by the host church. Dinner was followed by worship and then group discussion and games. It was a great week of learning, serving, and fellowship. I can't wait to see what God has in store for our church and how He leads us to serve here in our community.
Anyway, my group worked on gutting an abandoned house (actually one unit of a duplex). This entailed removing the furniture as well as paraphernalia left by squatters, one of whom I hear came by to remove some things while this work was being done. Then we removed carpeting and flooring before being assigned to tearing down the walls - primarily plaster walls with wooden lathe boards underneath. This was very physical work involving lots of hammering and prying. One night, I woke up and realized I had been hammering in my sleep! James was with the other part of our group, who worked on re-hanging plywood and Tyvek on one side of a house to prepare it for siding. They then dug, framed, and placed gravel subbase for a walkway along the side of the house to prepare it for concrete placement. We all ended the day filthy and exhausted, hit the showers, and then stuffed ourselves on outstanding food prepared by the host church. Dinner was followed by worship and then group discussion and games. It was a great week of learning, serving, and fellowship. I can't wait to see what God has in store for our church and how He leads us to serve here in our community.
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