Are you trying to tell me something?

This morning during our Bible reading, Jesus was telling the people to do things for others that can't repay the favour. Don't invite the nobles to dinner, but invite the poor, the ones who can't pay you back.

Then, while reading one of the blogs I read daily, she had this quote. "we r never closer to the heart of God then when we care 4 those who can do nothing for us"

Interesting...

I think she's got it!

Well, it seems like Samantha is finally taking to potty training! Woohoo! It seems like leaving her with her Nana for 3 days is just what she needed. I guess her Nana told her very seriously that she didn't have any diapers for her, so she had to go in the potty. That and some advice from my brother and we've been flying high.

Samantha only had one accident all weekend. Then on Monday when we went to the mall for her birthday, she didn't go all day, and then I think she had just held it to long and she had an accident. But she hasn't had one since then, and has gone potty 3 times!! I'm so happy! It will be so nice not to have to clean up her poop! And Rebecca is starting to be interested, but I'm going to wait for a little while until she has a little more bladder control, and then get at her too. By this time next year, my goal is to have no diapers in the house. How wonderful would that be?! I can't even imagine. Diapers have been a huge part of my life for 5 1/2 years! What will it be like to have no kids in diapers?? I can't wait to find out.

Are you ready to be a parent?

So Funny!!

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Samantha dear, you are such a beautiful light in my life.  I can't believe that just a short 4 years ago we were just meeting you.  It feels like you've always been here.  

You love the Wonder Pets, The Little Einstein's, Dora, and you want a Wall-E cake for your birthday.  You love to play outside.  You love your sisters very much.  You enjoy playing with Brooklyn, and you love to tease, and tickle Rebecca.  

You're learning to go potty, and we will keep trying and be patient until you get it.  

You march to the beat of your own drum, and I love it!  I love that you are your own person.  You love to dance and sing, and you pick up songs in no time.  You have an amazing memory.  

I can't wait to start doing school with you.  I know you're going to enjoy being a big girl with Brooklyn.  

Never doubt my love for you, sweetheart.  You'll always be my little Sammy.

All I want for Christmas...

Last night, as I was lying in bed, unable to sleep.  Just praying and thinking of our friends and family members who are in different situations.  And this verse came to mind.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

And then all of a sudden, as I was thinking about this.  I got the most beautiful picture in my mind of someone walking down the road, their path is curving to the right.  But as they acknowledge God is there with them, and thank Him in their circumstances, their path slowly starts to move to the center and is made straight.  

I've heard this verse many times in my life, and I've never been struck by the fact that God will make our paths straight.  If we acknowledge Him in our life, He will make our paths straight!  That is just so profound to me.  

Thank you, Lord, for this picture!  Thank you for showing me something new, in something that is "old".  

I'm am getting so excited for our trip away. Yesterday I went for my pedicure that I've been saving since my birthday. I received a GC from my in-laws (they know me so well) and this was just the perfect time to use it. I waxed my eyebrows today and tomorrow I will do some more beautifying things that you don't need to know about.

I really should start packing... but it seems like the older I get.. the older the kids get, the less I feel like packing. There is just so much to pack! But at least I can break it into two. The girls are going to the in-laws and I will pack for them first. Then after we drop the girls off, I will come home and finish packing for us.


On a completely different topic... Trevor and I have been reading our Bible together. Not everyday, but more often than before. I want to read my Bible. I want to get close to Jesus. I want Him to be my best friend. But the things I want to do, I don't.

Romans 7:18-19
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

I know that I don't know everything. God has new things to teach me. But I just feel like when I read the Bible, there's nothing new there. It's a horrible feeling because I know that's not true. I know that's a lie and I better start treating it as such.

My enemy is constantly telling me lies. He knows I'm susceptible. I need to stop listening to him. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Of course my enemy doesn't want me to get closer to God. Then I won't listen to his lies so easily.

God help me. Draw me close to You. Help me feel that hunger for You.

Help!

As most of you know, my Samantha is not yet potty trained.  She's going to be 4 in less than two weeks.  I have tried to potty train her off and on for a long while now.  The biggest problem is that she doesn't care.  She doesn't care if she has an accident.  If we don't have her in Pull-ups and she has an accident, she doesn't tell me.  She just doesn't care.  Also, if she goes in a Pull-up, she is equally uncaring.  

We have tried bribing her with everything we can possibly think of.  She gets excited about what we will give her, but when asked if she'll go on the potty, she simply says no.  

I was just reading an article on potty training, and they said that if they're not potty trained at this age and they won't go that it's a discipline issue.  I can understand that, and I know she is "ready" but not willing.  She is being stubborn.  

All the stuff on potty training says that you're not supposed to punish for accidents and such, and also not to force them to sit on the potty.  So how do I deal with the discipline issue, without making her not want to go potty even more?  She is a well behaved girl, that does listen when we ask her to do something.  And even is she does agree to sit on the potty, she won't "go" in it.  

Please help.  If anyone has any helpful suggestions I would appreciate it.  

A reason why we memorize Bible verses

This gave me chills!

Thank you

Thank you for the cross, Lord.

Thank you for the price You paid.

Bearing all my sin and shame.

In love You came

And gave amazing grace.

Thank you for this love, Lord.

Thank you for the nail pierce hands.

Washed me in Your cleansing flow

Now all I know

Is forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb

Seated on the throne

Crown Him now with many crowns

You reigns victorious

High and lifted up

Jesus Son of God

The Darling of Heaven crucified

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

Our weekend

I would really like another weekend.  This weekend wasn't nearly long enough for either Trevor, or I.  Saturday morning we had Trevor's parents in for brunch.  It was great to visit with them since it had been about 3 weeks since we saw them last.  Unfortunately, Trevor had to work durning this time.  He was at home, but had to keep running to conference calls.  Then in the evening, Trevor and I dropped the girls off with the in-laws and went bowling and to BP's with the other parents with young children at our church.  We haven't been to one of those events before and it was really fun.  I was worried about not feeling included because we've gone to this church for 5 years now and are not really friends with any of the people in this group.  But, it was so much fun.  I can't wait for the next one.  

On Sunday we picked the girls up before church.  It was great to be back in our church.  Since we were away it has been quite a while since we were there.  I really do love our church.  We have so much family there.  Most of us had naps in the after noon and then the rest of the day just went way to fast.  

One side note about the bowling night.  It was the first time a bunch of them had heard that I am homeschooling.  Everyone's reaction was surprised.  But it's kind of funny, because when I started homeschooling I just assumed everyone would choose that.  I don't know why.  I was surprised to hear that most of them aren't homeschooling.  But it made me think, if all these very capable women aren't homeschooling.. what makes me think that I can do it?  I know it's a silly thought, and I haven't entertained it since that night.  But it made me self-conscious.  I just have to remind myself that I made an educated decision, and I know that this is God's will for our lives, and that I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.  

Growing

Trevor and I have finally started doing devotionals together.  I'm very excited about this. Mostly because Trevor took the initiative to make it happen.  We're reading my Bible together before bed, and we also got a devotions for kids book to do after supper.  It's really neat because it has a little activity to do together.  Today was just to look at our fingertips to see how different they all are and how God made us all different.  So fun.  

We read the children's Bible during school and I've started splitting it up so that we read a little at breakfast, and some more at lunch.  I think it's better because it helps me, and I'm sure them too, to stay focused on the real reason we're here.  

I'm so excited about how God is going to help us grow.  Trevor and I have had a stressful week.. but there was one thing in-particular that was bad... but not even 15 minutes later could I see how God was using it for His good.  So amazing!  

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