Tonight was a good night. No, actually it was a great night. A finish to a rather above average day.
I do have to admit to skipping Bible study. But honestly, I think God will understand and approve. Emily and I were sick last week. So this makes 2 weeks in a row that I have missed. I had my book in my bag and everything ready. I was looking forward to spending time sharing and learning with some great women.
So when did the plan change? When I went to pick up the Princesses, they were sleeping when I arrived. Allison was really hard to wake up. Not unpleasant, just sleeping hard. Then Miss Em had to be rousted from her slumber. I took Emily to the couch and we snuggled as she woke up a little more. Then Allison came over to join the snuggle after getting her diaper changed. It was great. I had both in my lap, giggling and squirming. Both were in fantastic moods.
Plans were still in place at this point. Then I remembered that I had not put Emily food in the diaper bag. Plans rapidly revamped in my mind. We went to the store instead of church supper. Then we came home, had leftover pizza, watched the “Little Einsteins”, the girls took a bath, and they went to bed. I got Allison to bed first without any fuss or argument. Miss Em needed a bottle and fell asleep on my lap. I got to hold her and snuggle for almost an hour. Emily doesn’t usually let me do that, so this was great. She was all sacked up in her sleep sack and had her thumb and blanket and the world was right.
Like I said; it was a great night.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Emily's Surprise
This is a monumental video in the life of Emily. She is growing so quickly! I am trying to catch it all, but I feel like it's impossible to keep up. I would love to just quit working and enjoy my girls. Alas, but no. Not for now at least. But I thought I would share her fun developmental milestones with all you guys too!
Enjoy.
PS: It's a little dark, and I'm not the greatest cameraman ever. But I hope it was fun. And yes that was my goofy voice in the background with grandma.
Enjoy.
PS: It's a little dark, and I'm not the greatest cameraman ever. But I hope it was fun. And yes that was my goofy voice in the background with grandma.
Monday, March 3, 2008
My Big Girl
Lately Miss Allison has been trying to be a big girl. In fact she is quickly becoming Mommy's Little Sidekick. Here are a few things she likes to "help" me with!
She makes sure my shoes work properly.
She helps with lengthy phone conversations.
She is good with "urban wildlife management". (I'm not sure who she is managing here, the dog or the rubber ducks)
She helps with quality assurance with Emily's blankets.
She helps make her bed after naptime.
She wants to help take pictures with mommy's camera.
She helps with the laundry.
She is develping new species of farm animals ie:a sheep-duck
She likes helping Emily learn her colors. Thank goodness again for washable crayons!
But the other day while we were walking she said she needed to "poopie". She hasn't told me such news before it happens yet. I distracted her until we got home. (rather quick walk!) I told her she could use her potty. That was not a favored suggestion. So I bribed my child to sit on her potty. She ended up watching 2 episodes of "Little Einstiens" from her throne. She never actually went "poopie", but she did "pee pee". Small steps, I have to remember it comes in small steps.....
She makes sure my shoes work properly.
She helps with lengthy phone conversations.
She is good with "urban wildlife management". (I'm not sure who she is managing here, the dog or the rubber ducks)
She helps with quality assurance with Emily's blankets.
She helps make her bed after naptime.
She wants to help take pictures with mommy's camera.
She helps with the laundry.
She is develping new species of farm animals ie:a sheep-duck
She likes helping Emily learn her colors. Thank goodness again for washable crayons!
But the other day while we were walking she said she needed to "poopie". She hasn't told me such news before it happens yet. I distracted her until we got home. (rather quick walk!) I told her she could use her potty. That was not a favored suggestion. So I bribed my child to sit on her potty. She ended up watching 2 episodes of "Little Einstiens" from her throne. She never actually went "poopie", but she did "pee pee". Small steps, I have to remember it comes in small steps.....
Not wrong, Just different
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (emphasis mine)
found at BibleGateway.com
I was sitting in Sunday School this morning. We are watching a DVD series/study called “Love and Respect”. It is based on the book of the same name and work of Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Dr. E brings to light the biblical calling of Ephesians 5:33: Husband love your wives as yourself and wives respect your husbands. He has highlighted the different core needs of men and women as being “not wrong, just different.” Women are creatures made to love. Unconditionally. We women are pretty sure John Lennon was correct when he sang “all we need is love.” But according to Dr. E, this is not natural for men. He says men are in need of unconditional respect. RESPECT? How does that work? LOVE is everything. I’ve seen Moulin Rogue, “love is like oxygen”. Isn’t it?
According to Dr. E, it is more natural for a man to die for his woman than to look her in the eye and say “I’m sorry.” Making eye contact during difficult discussions (aka arguments) is being aggressive. It is more intuitive for a male to avoid eye contact and withdraw to think things over. (Think alpha male and dog pack mentality) No so much a girl way of thinking. So all those times that I pushed for answers and forced eye contact, I just made it worse. See women equate eye contact to paying attention. No eye contact = no attention paid. Apparently not so much for men.
The material covered in Sunday School is great. It explains the “Crazy Cycle” that many men and women go through when attempting to communicate. She speaks “pink”; he speaks “blue”. She needs love, he needs respect. If she doesn’t receive love, she doesn’t give respect. If he doesn’t receive respect, he doesn’t give love. Lather, rinse, repeat. Over and over and over again. I see it. I really, really see it. I have a lot to learn.
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (emphasis mine)
found at BibleGateway.com
I was sitting in Sunday School this morning. We are watching a DVD series/study called “Love and Respect”. It is based on the book of the same name and work of Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Dr. E brings to light the biblical calling of Ephesians 5:33: Husband love your wives as yourself and wives respect your husbands. He has highlighted the different core needs of men and women as being “not wrong, just different.” Women are creatures made to love. Unconditionally. We women are pretty sure John Lennon was correct when he sang “all we need is love.” But according to Dr. E, this is not natural for men. He says men are in need of unconditional respect. RESPECT? How does that work? LOVE is everything. I’ve seen Moulin Rogue, “love is like oxygen”. Isn’t it?
According to Dr. E, it is more natural for a man to die for his woman than to look her in the eye and say “I’m sorry.” Making eye contact during difficult discussions (aka arguments) is being aggressive. It is more intuitive for a male to avoid eye contact and withdraw to think things over. (Think alpha male and dog pack mentality) No so much a girl way of thinking. So all those times that I pushed for answers and forced eye contact, I just made it worse. See women equate eye contact to paying attention. No eye contact = no attention paid. Apparently not so much for men.
The material covered in Sunday School is great. It explains the “Crazy Cycle” that many men and women go through when attempting to communicate. She speaks “pink”; he speaks “blue”. She needs love, he needs respect. If she doesn’t receive love, she doesn’t give respect. If he doesn’t receive respect, he doesn’t give love. Lather, rinse, repeat. Over and over and over again. I see it. I really, really see it. I have a lot to learn.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Synopsis
I think the following photos will sum up how well my Valentine's Day went. I hope yours was a lot better.
with love,
Natalie
PS That was green beans and oatmeal you see there. And yes, it did go down the front of my top. It was delightful.....not so much.
with love,
Natalie
PS That was green beans and oatmeal you see there. And yes, it did go down the front of my top. It was delightful.....not so much.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
summing up life
When I Say, "I Am A Christian"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer
This is a poem my friend Emma posted. I think it really explains my feelings and what I hope people can see about me. But I have had my faith thrown at me recently. Life has been a little (LOT) rough lately. You might have noticed a lack of posting. I feel drained and devoid of energy often.
I have started a new job that has me pretty well exhausted by the end of the day. It is great to be a more active patient care giver, but I feel SLOW! I know I just need to get settled into the different assignment. I know I will get things figured out. It is just going to take time. But I can be a little type A. This is one of the areas affected by the "retentive" tendencies.
A few people in my life have thrown curve balls at me too. I know a few strikes were call, but I hope not to go down swinging. I want to think of myself as a "grown up", but I don't know sometimes. It is so hard not to take the bait that is thrown at you. My temper can get the best of me, and *POOF* bad situation gets worse. If I could fast forward through this part, I so would.
My girls are the highlight. Allison is just the best. She has gotten better about controlling her tantrums. She likes to help, but sometimes a little too much. She LOVES Emily. So much, I think she might break her sometimes. But the good news: Emily is a tough little turkey. ;) Miss Em is not going to crawl, she would rather roll. She can sit up. Roll over and over and over and over. She LOVES to chew on anything she can. She also gets visibly excited when she sees me and Allison and Bandit. Yes Bandit has a new supporter in his campaign to be human. Emily loves Bandit's tail. He doesn't realize how close to getting his tail chomped on he has come....
I hope everyone is having a great week. Good luck with the crazy weather. It has been spring to winter to spring to winter here. I just wish it would pick one and stick with it. But really I don't have the brain cells to worry about it.
much love,
Natalie
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer
This is a poem my friend Emma posted. I think it really explains my feelings and what I hope people can see about me. But I have had my faith thrown at me recently. Life has been a little (LOT) rough lately. You might have noticed a lack of posting. I feel drained and devoid of energy often.
I have started a new job that has me pretty well exhausted by the end of the day. It is great to be a more active patient care giver, but I feel SLOW! I know I just need to get settled into the different assignment. I know I will get things figured out. It is just going to take time. But I can be a little type A. This is one of the areas affected by the "retentive" tendencies.
A few people in my life have thrown curve balls at me too. I know a few strikes were call, but I hope not to go down swinging. I want to think of myself as a "grown up", but I don't know sometimes. It is so hard not to take the bait that is thrown at you. My temper can get the best of me, and *POOF* bad situation gets worse. If I could fast forward through this part, I so would.
My girls are the highlight. Allison is just the best. She has gotten better about controlling her tantrums. She likes to help, but sometimes a little too much. She LOVES Emily. So much, I think she might break her sometimes. But the good news: Emily is a tough little turkey. ;) Miss Em is not going to crawl, she would rather roll. She can sit up. Roll over and over and over and over. She LOVES to chew on anything she can. She also gets visibly excited when she sees me and Allison and Bandit. Yes Bandit has a new supporter in his campaign to be human. Emily loves Bandit's tail. He doesn't realize how close to getting his tail chomped on he has come....
I hope everyone is having a great week. Good luck with the crazy weather. It has been spring to winter to spring to winter here. I just wish it would pick one and stick with it. But really I don't have the brain cells to worry about it.
much love,
Natalie
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