2 Things

1.  Today is Bobo's big day.  An all day visit with the doggy psychologist to make sure that his timidity will not cause him to bite.  The poor doggy, who is GREATLY loved, will have to go if he does not get a good report today.  Hopefully our sweet doggy will do well! Go, Bobo, go!

2.  This morning Ry said to Matt, "Hey Daddy, when da big daddy coming over to pay wii?".  Ryry had forgotten Mr. Jamie's name and instead referred to him as "da big daddy".  How funny!!!??? And for those of you who don't know Mr. Jamie, he's not big horizontally, but vertically (he's very tall :)).  I would not have posted this comment, had it been the reverse.

A new book for Bible study

A few weeks ago, my ladies' Bible study began a new book.  It's called, "The Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  Though I really did not like the first few chapters, the past two have been fantastic.

This week I'm reading a chapter entitled, "Lies Women Believe About Priorities".  This chapter has convicted my heart, caused it to ache, and spurred me on.  

The book talks about the fact that we have "accepted the lie that we don't have time to do everything we are supposed to do".  The author candidly points out that "the Lord Jesus Himself was given only a few short years on earth to accomplish the entire plan of redemption".  She points out that after 33 years on earth, Jesus states, "I have finished the work which though gavest me to do".  

Wow, how convicting is that and why have I never noticed it in Scripture before.  At the end of his life, Jesus finished the work that God gave him to do, and not what was on his own agenda or what other people wanted him to do.

The author goes on to say, "The Truth is that all I have to do is the work God assigns me. . .The frustration comes when I attempt to take on responsibilities that are not on His agenda for me".  

Oh, Lord, this is so true.

The following is me and I am horribly convicted by it and pray that I will turn my back to this lie.  "there is another, related lie that women in our generation have bought into. . .It is the lie that 'I can do it all'--that 'I should be able to be an ideal wife and mother, keep my house clean and organized, prepare healthy meals for my family, be active in my kids' school and my church and community, stay physically fit, keep up on current events, and have a full time job outside my home' ".  

While I don't have the job, I do have re-occurring guilt that I should have a job, and I do think that I should be able to do all the above things.  And I get terribly discouraged that I don't.  I'm so grateful for Nancy Leigh DeMoss' insight, as I do not want to live feeling constantly defeated.  That not what the Lord has for me or anyone else!

The following is an excerpt from a random women, but so powerful. "God set me free from the bondage of busyness to allow me to truly be His servant.  I no longer look for serving opportunities but look to God as His servant, ready to go wherever He will".  

I do not want to live in busyness, serving.  I think I do this.  I want to be God's servant, doing His will.  

In this chapter, the author tackles the issue of making daily time for the Lord.  This is what she says.

"If he (Satan) can get us to do a great many things 'for God' without consciously seeking the will of God through His Word and prayer, we may stir up a lot of religious dust, but we won't do Satan's kingdom any real damage".

". . .if he (Satan) succeeds in getting us to live independently of the Word of God, we become more vulnerable to deception in every area of our lives".

When we don't spend daily time with the Lord, "what I am really saying (though I'd never actually say it) is that I can handle that day on my own--apart from the presence, wisdom, and grace of God.  I am saying I can do my work, keep my home, handle my relationships, and deal with my circumstances without Him.  That independent, self-sufficient spirit is an expression of pride.  The Scripture teaches, 'God resists the proud' (James 4:6).  If I walk in pride, I must be prepared for God to resist me and my efforts".  

Wow.  After reading this, my heart was so sorrowful.

"The Truth is, it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to be the woman He wants me to be apart from my spending time cultivating a relationship with Him, in the Word and prayer".  

This is so true.  Why don't I give Him this time.  Truly I want to be the woman He wants me to be.

"The Scripture is clear that a married woman's life and ministry are to be centered in her home.  This is not to suggest that it is necessarily wrong for a wife and mother to have a job outside her home--unless that job in any way competes with or diminishes her effectiveness in fulfilling her primary calling at home".  

Here are quotes from a couple actresses and a psychologist.

"I'm not sure any woman can successfully pursue a career and be a mother at the same time.  The trouble with women today is that they want everything.  But no one can have it all".  Katharine Hepburn

"My career has suffered because of the children, and my children have suffered because of my career. . .I've been torn and haven't been able to function fully in either arena.  I don't know of one person who does both successfully, and I know a lot of working mothers".  Joanne Woodward

"It s true that many 'perfect jobs' may come and go during the child rearing years, but only one will absolutely never come along again--the job of rearing our own children and allowing them the increasingly rare opportunity to grow up at home".  Dorothy Patterson

"The family is at the heart of what really matters to all of us".  

I often feel insecure in my role as "just" a stay at home mom.  Sometimes I wonder if Matt thinks I'm valuable because this is all I do.  Recently, I expressed this sediment to Matt, and he gave me the greatest answer.  Never again will I doubt my worth in his eyes.  He said, "Lauren, you know how cheap I am.  If I did not think what you did was so important, don't you think I would want you to work".  Anyone who knows Matt and his frugal ways, knows why this statement gave me peace and put me at complete ease as a homemaker.

I hope you have enjoyed these excerpts.  This book is fantastic.  I pray it will cause me to grow more and more in the likeness of Christ, as I am transformed by His Word.

Valentine's Day Party at the Morrisville Playground

On Friday, we celebrated Valentine's Day with our friends from the Bridge.  I love my girlfriends from the Bridge and am SO grateful for the relationships Madeline and Ryan are developing with our friends and their children.  It is a true blessing.

Jackson and Madeline enjoy the cookies they have just decorated.

Jessica and Alayna pose for a cute picture.

Conor and Ry.  Conor is so sweet.  About 10 minutes after passing out his Valentine's he asked me if he could give everyone another lollipop (Laura was at home because it was Keegan's nap time).  Conor has such a giving and tender spirit. . .though he's as rough and tumble as any boy comes.

The tire swing was a major attraction on Friday.  Why, in the world, kids love this is beyond me.  How would you like to be spun in circles over and over and over and over and over again?!

About an hour after leaving the playground (we left early) Ry came down with a blazing fever.  It was obvious that he was "off" when we got to the playground.  He kept asking me to pick him up and then was on the verge of crying because he was cold.  Praise God for Motrin and Tylenol.  My heart aches for parents who have to watch their children grow sick and are unable to give them medicine, whether it's because it's unavailable to them, they are impoverished, or for whatever other reason.  Thank you, Lord, that we are able to care for our children and give them medicine.  I think his fever broke late last night. . .we'll see today.

Dayspring Valentine's Day Party

After the dentist, we had a quick lunch at McDonald's and then headed to New Horizon's Fellowship in Apex for a party.  As an aside, I must say that a happy meal is a GREAT, inexpensive lunch for me as well as the kids.  Why did I not realize this sooner???  

At the beginning of the year, we joined a Christian home school group.  As part of the group, each member must volunteer to help with one of the events.  I ended up planning the Valentine's Day party.  I had no idea that there would be 120 people, as there were about 50 the year before, but it went great.  The other moms were wonderful and so helpful.  The children were split into age groups and enjoyed games and crafts in their age groups and then got to exchange Valentine's.  Of course there was also lots of food, cookies to decorate, coloring, bag decoarting. . .

Here's Ry "reading" all his Valentine's.  He loved them. . .even the ones that did not have candy.  He kept crawling into my lap, asking me to read them to him.

I was so proud of Madeline.  She did not know anyone, but she was comfortable in the group and more than fine that Mommy was not with her.  Here she is, preparing to pass out her Valentine's.  Of course, she picked out a favorite dress to wear to the party. . .after spewing 10 outfits onto her bedroom floor in an attempt to find the perfect, party dress.  I love the girl in her!

My pretty princess LOVES to color.  She spent the first 30 minutes of the party decorating her Valentine's bag.  I am always impressed by her attention to detail, focus, and creativity.  If we had the time, she would spend hours each day coloring, painting and doing craft projects.

Ryan's Trip to the Dentist

Last Wednesday was an eventful day.  It began with Ry's first trip to the dentist.  I was so proud of him, as he did great--actually, better than great.  With no reservation, he climbed right into the pink dental chair and did everything the hygienist asked him to.  He quickly mastered the art of suctioning, and I could tell he loved to feel the way the suction slurped up the saliva and water in his mouth.

I was also proud of my pretty princess, who waited SO patiently on a stool through Ryan's entire appointment.  And she was so sweet with Ry, showering words of encouragement to 

him--"Ry, you're doing a great job", "Oh! . . .good job, Ry".  She also whispered in my ear, "Mommy, he's doing a great job, maybe we should get him a lolipop".  Before the end of the visit, she told me that she would like to be a dentist one day so that she can wear gloves. :)

As you can tell in this picture, Ryan is unsure about these glasses.  He kept taking them off and looking at them and then putting them back on.  Of course, the dentist told us that it looks like his bite is abnormal already.  You know what that means. . .start saving for the orthodontist!!!

Happy Birthday Christy!

Last Saturday night, we got to celebrate our dear friend, Christy's birthday.  

Madeline's Sweet Words

We often talk to Madeline about how Jesus is in her heart and how one day we will go to live with Jesus forever.  So. . .the other day, Madeline asked me when we are going to live in our hearts and how we will do this.  So precious.  I love her thought process.