My Sister

This is my beautiful sister Mary Ellen, I think most people call her Mary, but growing up she was Mary Ellen to me and it will always be that way! Sorry sis! I am so very excited...she is planning a trip to come here later this month. I cannot remember the last time that we were able to spend some quality time together. It is long over due, for sure. I am so proud of her and I wanted to introduce her to all of you! I love you sis!

Ok, thanks to Jenn for the name and artist of this song, I have found the lyrics and I wanted to share them. I know some people may not have heard the song. I love it! I was talking to Chris this morning when he got home from work, telling him about it and he just laughed and said he heard the song for the first time on his way home and he was in tears listening to how it explained how his heart was feeling to. I think the Lord is doing some big things in a lot of people to build His kingdom. I am blessed and honored to be used of Him~ although it is not the easiest thing at times.

"Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)"

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

Chaos

I am probably way behind in the times but I have just recently heard a song on K-love (i don't even know who sings it. if you know the name or artist please tell me) that talks about having the feeling of chaos in their heart but knowing that God is doing something bigger inside...something to that effect, anyway, I cannot listen to that song without being moved. That song explains perfectly what I have been feeling the last 2 weeks. I have not even been able to put it into words but tht song does it. Inside, my heart feels like chaos. Tons of different emotions, and situations, and people tugging on my heart...but God is doing something bigger in me...wow, I am so thankful for that. Today I am also thankful that Gods love is not dependent upon my circumstance. My pastor said this several weeks ago and I cannot shake that thought. Honestly, it's hard for me to even wrap my mind around. Wherever I am in life, HIS love is still there. No matter what. I am really not trying to feel sorry for myself here but just thinking outloud. It's just that sometimes life seems so lonely. I try to reach out to people/my friends/even family and sometimes it just feels like a one way deal. I constantly feel like I am draining myself for others that I care about and get no response. I guess that is what Jesus may feel like... Does anyone else ever feel this way? Like I said before though, I am thankful that no matter what I have the love of my heavenly Father and He is as close as the mention of His name. Sorry for the confusion of this entry, but I needed to get some things out... Love you all!

Ok, so I forgot to give details about that sweet baby picture I posted. Lily Patricia is my new neice. She was born on Wednesday to my brother Josh and sister in law Jessica in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I cannot wait to go meet her. We love you Lily! Congrats Josh, Jess, Connor, and Caleb!

Welcome Lily Patricia...We love you!

Exhaustion

This week has taught me a valuable lesson...one being that the word "no" can be an anointed word(i have heard my mom say this on numerous occasions) and two regardless of what i would like to believe, i have limitations and I am not super mom! This has been a week that I have taken on way to much. I have had several friends whom I love dearly ask things of me and several events that I have committed to, school projects and the list goes on and on of stuff and people that I have been responsible for this week and I am exhausted. I had a horrible evening yesterday because I had to tell one of my friends that I could longer help her out with child care and I felt terrible. I know they were disappointed and probably feeling overwhelmed. I want to be super mom and super friend all of the time but it is not possible! I get myself in situations all of the time..I say yes and really think that I will be able to balance everything and then after a while of trying I am not successful and I end up letting people down. One of these days I will learn...I hope. So, if anybody knows of someone that is looking to provide child care full time M-F, please let me know so that I can pass that info on to my friends. Obviously, they are looking for someone that we would trust our kids to and could feel confident they are getting the best care possible. Thanks for listening to me vent.

Crazy 4 Candles

I am so excited! i just ordered a Strudel and Spice candle from here and I can not wait to get it!

The Power of Naps

Naptime is a beautiful thing! It is my time to do chores, answer emails, blog, and just veg if I want. But it has been a struggle around our house for a while. Kailey is trying to outgrow her nap and mom is trying VERY hard to keep it going! She wants to rest on the couch and watch a movie or look at books. That all sounds fine but it only lasts about 5 minutes and then she is up following me around the house and come 3:30 she is a bear! So today, I had a brilliant idea! I asked her if she wanted to take a nap with me? To my suprise she said YES. We slept and snuggled for an hour and a half. It was nice to sleep, but it made my day that she wanted to snuggle up next to me. I have missed that! I'm not sure that will work everyday but today it did! And i am feeling recharged. Also, can i just say that I am loving this fall like weather. It has been sorta dreary with all of the rain but the cool temps are great. I am so ready for the leaves to change, for apple cider, carving pumpkins, warm soup, and my very favorite...flannel sheets!

I want to send out a huge thanks for those of you who constantly check in here and leave me comments. I really look foward to reading them and hearing from you! THANK YOU!!!

It Has Been One of Those Days...

Flint Hills Trail Ride and Camping Trip

We went camping and trail riding over the holiday weekend. It was a fun, relaxing time. We went with Chris's mom and dad, brother Brent and nephew Gavin. Chris and the girls and I stayed in a tent (i didn't get a picture of that) and the girls did fabulous. This was Lauryn's first camping trip and probably the first one Kailey remembers. We took her to the mountains and camped out when she was 6 months old. Anyway, the weekend went very well! It was really hot and not a lot of shade but we had a creek nearby to cool off in. That was a life saver. The girls both loved it and Kailey thought it was pretty fun getting to swim in her clothes. Chris was able to ride for 2 days and I am glad! He loves to be in the saddle and does not get to do it as often as he would like. It is a big stress reliever for him. How that is possible, I'll never know, but I am glad he has an out. I enjoyed being outside and with family and away from the stresses of life! Lauryn is not too sure about the horses but Kailey is going to make quite the pretty little cowgirl. Thanks mom and dad for inviting us!