Just now, I was reading Jeremiah 32. Verses 37-41 say, "I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul."
A lot of things in this passage hit me. First of all, "let them live in safety" means so much to me personally because my ex-husband was so violent. I look at where I was in 1994-1998, and it is completely the opposite of where I am now. I don't live in fear anymore...I live in safety. I don't sit in my house huddled in a corner cowering...I walk about my house in confidence and assurance that I am safe and loved!
Also, I think it is so cool that it is God's gift to us to give us singleness of heart and action so that we may benefit. So, He's blessing us in order to bless us. It is reiterated in the fact that He will inspire us to fear Him so we won't turn away. Just how much our God loves us is so unsearchable and unfathomable! I can only compare it to the love I have for Noly & Jule. The ridiculous faces I make to get Jule to laugh and the tiny little toy I may buy for Noly because I know it will light up her eyes are just glimpses of the passionate love He has for me. I just glow thinking of Christmas and the glow that Noly will have on her face, and He must delight in my delight...He has to...He's my Daddy.
May I live in such a way that my children grow up knowing they are completely and undeniably loved by not only Kevin and I, but more so by their Creator, their Savior, their Ultimate Daddy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Things We Do For Our Children
For my lunch today, I ran around Charleston trying to get Noly a cat costume. She told me she wants to be a kitty last night. I had not asked her because I didn't think she would understand or care...boy, was I wrong! So, I got her ears and a tail at Party City. Then, I searched all over Target and finally bought a BOY's black sweatsuit. The shirt has a picture on it, so I'll just turn it inside out. So much for my relaxing lunch! She's so worth it, though.
First, we'll go to Whit's at 5:30 and have pizza, then we'll do pix and TOT! I wonder what Noly will do? This is only my 2nd Trick or Treat memory in my life. I remember my mom putting us in her shirts and painting our faces maybe as clowns? I think I was around 4. We went to my Grandma and Grandpa's. Beyond that, our church pretty much did not allow any celebration of Halloween. We haven't taken Noly yet just because she was so young. We planned to go last year, but she wasn't feeling well. She screamed when I put her in her Tinkerbell costume just for pictures!
Now, I just have to figure out how to confiscate most of the candy while she is sleeping tonight. I don't let her have candy very often because she gets wild!
First, we'll go to Whit's at 5:30 and have pizza, then we'll do pix and TOT! I wonder what Noly will do? This is only my 2nd Trick or Treat memory in my life. I remember my mom putting us in her shirts and painting our faces maybe as clowns? I think I was around 4. We went to my Grandma and Grandpa's. Beyond that, our church pretty much did not allow any celebration of Halloween. We haven't taken Noly yet just because she was so young. We planned to go last year, but she wasn't feeling well. She screamed when I put her in her Tinkerbell costume just for pictures!
Now, I just have to figure out how to confiscate most of the candy while she is sleeping tonight. I don't let her have candy very often because she gets wild!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Feeling Tired Today
Man, am I tired today! I fell asleep at a decent time last night, but I woke up suddenly around 10:15 thinking I heard Noly. She was asleep in her bed, so it must not have been her. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I took one Tylenol PM. I knew Kevin would be gone tonight, so I had to get some sleep! I'm not sure if the Tylenol PM is making me feel drowsy or what.
We are having a staff meeting in a few minutes, and my boss is providing wings...mmmm! I've successfully eaten in this whole week! I'm trying to limit how often I eat out because the cost really does add up. I realized that, if I spent only $5 a weekday on eating out, it would cost $1,300 a year! If I cut back on that, it will help free up money for other things like Gymboree clothes for the kids : )
I'm getting so excited about Christmas this year. Noly is now at an age where it will mean something to her. Of course, she can understand the presents and Santa and all that, but I think it will be harder for her to grasp the real meaning for a few years. Maybe we can make an eggless birthday cake for Jesus this year to help her begin to grasp that He came as a baby to save her. Jule will, of course, be oblivious to all things Christmas. I think he will like looking at the tree with all the lights and decorations. I looked at our tree box this morning as I was getting into the car. I want to put it up so badly, but I think it's too early. We'll wait for Thanksgiving break, and maybe we can put Jule in his exersaucer and all put it up together! No black Friday shopping for me. I hate the crowds!
We are having a staff meeting in a few minutes, and my boss is providing wings...mmmm! I've successfully eaten in this whole week! I'm trying to limit how often I eat out because the cost really does add up. I realized that, if I spent only $5 a weekday on eating out, it would cost $1,300 a year! If I cut back on that, it will help free up money for other things like Gymboree clothes for the kids : )
I'm getting so excited about Christmas this year. Noly is now at an age where it will mean something to her. Of course, she can understand the presents and Santa and all that, but I think it will be harder for her to grasp the real meaning for a few years. Maybe we can make an eggless birthday cake for Jesus this year to help her begin to grasp that He came as a baby to save her. Jule will, of course, be oblivious to all things Christmas. I think he will like looking at the tree with all the lights and decorations. I looked at our tree box this morning as I was getting into the car. I want to put it up so badly, but I think it's too early. We'll wait for Thanksgiving break, and maybe we can put Jule in his exersaucer and all put it up together! No black Friday shopping for me. I hate the crowds!
31 Things - Sent to my by Elissa
1. Where is your cell phone? clipped onto my pocket
2. Where is your significant other? traveling to Myrtle Beach
3. Your hair color? dark brown and pink
4. Your mother? Vickie
5. Your father? Ron
6. Your favorite thing? Lucky Brand Jeans
7. Your dream last night? Did not have one
8. Your dream/goal? My goal is to make it through Jule's reflux in one piece!
9. The room you're in? Office
10. Your hobby? going to concerts
11. Your fear? that it will be along time before Jule is a consistently happy baby
12. Where do you want to be in six years? same workplace but more challenging job here
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. What you’re not? a stqay-at-home mom
15. One of your wish list items? tile in all the bathrooms
16. Where you grew up? Middlebury
17. The last thing you did? Logged my journal entries in Excel
18. What are you wearing?Brown cords and a blue and brown striped shirt
19. Your TV? is always on Disney for the kids
20. Your pet? gave him to in-laws when Noly was 6 months old
21. Your computer? old at home, Dell at work
22. Your mood? fine
23. Missing someone? my babies & my family in IN
24. Your car? Toyota Matrix
25. Something you’re not wearing? my watch (needs a new battery)
26. Favorite store? Either Lucky Brand or Gymboree...luckily both are at the outlets
27. Your summer? working
28. Love someone? Sure, too many to list
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When is the last time you laughed? when Jule laughed last night
31. Last time you cried? I'm sure it was during one of Jule's crying episodes
Ok, Danette, your turn (once your boys are better)
2. Where is your significant other? traveling to Myrtle Beach
3. Your hair color? dark brown and pink
4. Your mother? Vickie
5. Your father? Ron
6. Your favorite thing? Lucky Brand Jeans
7. Your dream last night? Did not have one
8. Your dream/goal? My goal is to make it through Jule's reflux in one piece!
9. The room you're in? Office
10. Your hobby? going to concerts
11. Your fear? that it will be along time before Jule is a consistently happy baby
12. Where do you want to be in six years? same workplace but more challenging job here
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. What you’re not? a stqay-at-home mom
15. One of your wish list items? tile in all the bathrooms
16. Where you grew up? Middlebury
17. The last thing you did? Logged my journal entries in Excel
18. What are you wearing?Brown cords and a blue and brown striped shirt
19. Your TV? is always on Disney for the kids
20. Your pet? gave him to in-laws when Noly was 6 months old
21. Your computer? old at home, Dell at work
22. Your mood? fine
23. Missing someone? my babies & my family in IN
24. Your car? Toyota Matrix
25. Something you’re not wearing? my watch (needs a new battery)
26. Favorite store? Either Lucky Brand or Gymboree...luckily both are at the outlets
27. Your summer? working
28. Love someone? Sure, too many to list
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When is the last time you laughed? when Jule laughed last night
31. Last time you cried? I'm sure it was during one of Jule's crying episodes
Ok, Danette, your turn (once your boys are better)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tax Research Resurfacing
Today I realized that I only have 2 more days to make any changes I want to my benefits. I checked into everything, and I wondered if I should start a Dependent Care Account for our daycare expenses. Brenda costs about $14,000 a year, but it is well-worth it to have our kids in a safe place with someone who loves them. The DCA would take money for child care expenses pre-tax. I had to calculate our 1040 hypothetically with and without the spending account, and we came out ahead without it. For some reason, your Dependent Care credit is HUGELY reduced if you use the DCA, and it's not reduced enough to lower your AGI by enough to save you money. So, there is my day in a nutshell. I'm glad I researched it before just signing up blindly!
Jule was a gem last night, smiling and laughing often. It was nice to see him comfortable and happy. I attempted to brush his hair straight, but there is no straightening this boy's curls...I love it! I hope he keeps them! Noly made him laugh for the second time last night. She is so funny to watch with him, and she is getting to be such a little mother. She has completely lost interest in potty training and isn't even waking up dry anymore. Oh well, I don't really care right now. She'll train when the time is right.
I can't wait for Christmas with these two! It is going to be a hoot!
Jule was a gem last night, smiling and laughing often. It was nice to see him comfortable and happy. I attempted to brush his hair straight, but there is no straightening this boy's curls...I love it! I hope he keeps them! Noly made him laugh for the second time last night. She is so funny to watch with him, and she is getting to be such a little mother. She has completely lost interest in potty training and isn't even waking up dry anymore. Oh well, I don't really care right now. She'll train when the time is right.
I can't wait for Christmas with these two! It is going to be a hoot!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Long Weekend
It was a looooong weekend, but not because of the number of days. Friday night, Jule had a rough evening and would not stay asleep until late. So, I went to the bedroom to watch a movie once he was finally down, and there was water dripping into our room. The paint was peeling off the wall above the window like it was wallpaper. We had at least two leaks in our 8-year-old roof, and one of the windows appeared to be leaking as well. It was pouring down rain, so I knew it was only going to continue through the night.
We also found out that Jule's swing broke. That is usually what we use to get him settled when he wakes up continually in his crib at night. I checked the weight limit because he is so big, and it's 25 lbs, so it's not his weight since he's around 16. We had a spare at the office from when Noly was a baby, so Kevin is going to set that up this morning.
Noly stayed at Diz and Sara's Friday night and kept saying she missed Kevin and I. It is obvious that she is having a hard time dealing with Jule lately. She is just too young to be able to process what is going on. Heck, I'm almost 34 and can't process it. She keeps telling me she misses me whenever I have been away from her. Last night, she was WAY too cute. She was watching a Pooh movie where the little bird was going to fly away. Rabbit was very sad about this, and Noly all of a sudden burst into tears and ran over to me. She said, "I miss you, Mommy. I miss you; I love you." I could tell she was feeling sad because Rabbit was sad but did not know how to express it. I held her close and comforted her, then she became ok as Rabbit became ok. So, yes, she is my replica. I used to do the same thing when I was her age. I used to wail when Puff the Magic Dragon would "sadly slip into his cave." Lately, when Noly cries, Jule will stick his bottom lip out and start to cry too. Two babies crying at once....oh my!
We also found out that Jule's swing broke. That is usually what we use to get him settled when he wakes up continually in his crib at night. I checked the weight limit because he is so big, and it's 25 lbs, so it's not his weight since he's around 16. We had a spare at the office from when Noly was a baby, so Kevin is going to set that up this morning.
Noly stayed at Diz and Sara's Friday night and kept saying she missed Kevin and I. It is obvious that she is having a hard time dealing with Jule lately. She is just too young to be able to process what is going on. Heck, I'm almost 34 and can't process it. She keeps telling me she misses me whenever I have been away from her. Last night, she was WAY too cute. She was watching a Pooh movie where the little bird was going to fly away. Rabbit was very sad about this, and Noly all of a sudden burst into tears and ran over to me. She said, "I miss you, Mommy. I miss you; I love you." I could tell she was feeling sad because Rabbit was sad but did not know how to express it. I held her close and comforted her, then she became ok as Rabbit became ok. So, yes, she is my replica. I used to do the same thing when I was her age. I used to wail when Puff the Magic Dragon would "sadly slip into his cave." Lately, when Noly cries, Jule will stick his bottom lip out and start to cry too. Two babies crying at once....oh my!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Bearing Each Other's Burdens
So, Elissa came across Galatians 6:2 yesterday, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." I feel like that's what she did for us last night. She came over and watched both of our kids, and we went out to eat alone. It was so quiet...so peaceful. Nobody was screaming, and our hands were free. Little things like that help me feel human again.
I was thinking about James 2 yesterday. Verses 14-17 say, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." I was thinking about how much prayers mean to us right now, but even more so, those that are coming over to physically help make a HUGE difference in our sanity. Once we get through this and I'm more able, I want to put more actions behind my prayers. I can pray for someone who has lost everything in a fire, but it would be even better for me to give them the things they need that I am capable of providing. I'm going to look for ways right now that I can help people even if it is in a limited capacity.
Turns out that SSRI's, which include Lexapro, are dangerous when taken with the amount of migraine meds I take. So, I am just taking anti-anxiety meds as needed. On better days, I can skip it, but it is there for the bad days. I am LOVING "New Day" by Robbie Seay Band, and it will also help carry me through the bad days. Cindy emailed me and is planning to come by next Thursday after work, and Elissa is open to helping again, so maybe we can make it through this difficult thing called reflux.
I was thinking about James 2 yesterday. Verses 14-17 say, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." I was thinking about how much prayers mean to us right now, but even more so, those that are coming over to physically help make a HUGE difference in our sanity. Once we get through this and I'm more able, I want to put more actions behind my prayers. I can pray for someone who has lost everything in a fire, but it would be even better for me to give them the things they need that I am capable of providing. I'm going to look for ways right now that I can help people even if it is in a limited capacity.
Turns out that SSRI's, which include Lexapro, are dangerous when taken with the amount of migraine meds I take. So, I am just taking anti-anxiety meds as needed. On better days, I can skip it, but it is there for the bad days. I am LOVING "New Day" by Robbie Seay Band, and it will also help carry me through the bad days. Cindy emailed me and is planning to come by next Thursday after work, and Elissa is open to helping again, so maybe we can make it through this difficult thing called reflux.
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