What do to next?
This phrase is a constant mantra going on in my head. Whether I’m thinking what household chore I should do next or what life –impacting decision to make. I feel as though I make one decision and move right on to the next. I realize I probably miss out on a lot of personal growth and even better choices if I would have just prayed and waited.
Obviously, I am not talking about doing the next load of laundry. We were at a church meeting tonight that discussed opportunities for growing our facilities. One of the men on the church’s leadership team kept talking about reasons for pause, taking a step back. At first, I thought it to be kind of strange because our whole point of growing our facility is to help us with our current needs of space (which anyone who visits would ask “why would you feel the need to pause, can’t you see it NEEDS to be done?”). During the meeting, the answers were obvious why we should pause/re-evaluate. However, if we just pushed our way through and kept moving forward on the original vision, we could easily end up with enormous debt, amongst other detrimental factors. On top of that, I think they came up with a more economical and purposeful way of “growing” our church.
I am amazed at the ways I press on and trudge through different decisions in my own life. I feel as though if I am told no or something stops me, I will find a better way to make it happen. Our culture is “gotta have it now”. It’s almost like an adrenaline rush, to see what I can do to make it happen now and show the world that I can’t be stopped.
Then every so often, I am reminded of the verse that says, be still and wait. Doesn’t that sound restful and inviting? However, I have the hardest time of being still and waiting when making decisions. I’m afraid I am going to miss out or someone is going to “get what is mine”. Looking over past decisions, if I had waited and prayed, I can see how a better solution/option would have presented itself. I find it odd that I have a firm foundation in the Lord, yet I seem to be afraid, I will miss out if I can’t orchestrate things appropriately in a fast-like manner. I am trying to learn that I always don’t have to be figuring out what to do next. I can learn a lot with being still. On top of that, with waiting on the Lord, I can trust He will bring His best before me. I just need to pause and listen.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
When Two Became One…
I had this feeling all weekend that I was forgetting something; I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I had both the boys while Pete went white water rafting with the church men’s group. We all had a really good weekend. The boys were great. I think I kept my patience at a pretty good level. I even watched a good chick flick that I knew Pete would have no interest in. Pete had fun too; no injuries and he got thrown out of the raft twice, (which sounded like a positive thing when he told the story).
However, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that a part of me was missing. I think time apart is good. I thought I would be missing all the help that he gives, especially around bedtime. I got through the entire bedtime rituals just fine. I really did appreciate just having special moments with Marschall and Garrett by ourselves.
I realized, though, it was more of Pete’s company I missed, the late night of just being together. A lot times we just sit in the same room doing different things. I realize now, what I treasure, is his presence. It was funny, as soon as he walked in the door at 3:00pm today, I couldn’t wish any harder that it was time for the boys to go to bed.
I fear that time will take its’ toll. The kids will need our undivided attention with school needs, activities, etc. I hate to believe that someday they will go to bed later than we will. It’s a reality. I sure hope that we will always long for moments in just “being together” as time moves on and life gets in the way. Time apart is good; you know that old saying… it makes the heart grow fonderJ.
I had this feeling all weekend that I was forgetting something; I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I had both the boys while Pete went white water rafting with the church men’s group. We all had a really good weekend. The boys were great. I think I kept my patience at a pretty good level. I even watched a good chick flick that I knew Pete would have no interest in. Pete had fun too; no injuries and he got thrown out of the raft twice, (which sounded like a positive thing when he told the story).
However, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that a part of me was missing. I think time apart is good. I thought I would be missing all the help that he gives, especially around bedtime. I got through the entire bedtime rituals just fine. I really did appreciate just having special moments with Marschall and Garrett by ourselves.
I realized, though, it was more of Pete’s company I missed, the late night of just being together. A lot times we just sit in the same room doing different things. I realize now, what I treasure, is his presence. It was funny, as soon as he walked in the door at 3:00pm today, I couldn’t wish any harder that it was time for the boys to go to bed.
I fear that time will take its’ toll. The kids will need our undivided attention with school needs, activities, etc. I hate to believe that someday they will go to bed later than we will. It’s a reality. I sure hope that we will always long for moments in just “being together” as time moves on and life gets in the way. Time apart is good; you know that old saying… it makes the heart grow fonderJ.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Drug Money
I am always looking for ways to save money. Let me clarify, looking for ways to save money on things I hate spending money on.
We work from a cash budget, meaning, we allot a certain amount of money every two weeks when Pete is paid and once that money is up, we are done with spending. (Sometimes, it doesn't work out that perfectly but it helps us keep on track and there are usually a few discussions every so often on why we need more money in each category) On the whole, it seems to works for us. I am usually the one who handles all the weekly budgeting and spending, so I am always trying to figure out where we can pull money from one category and spend more in another ~ (usually my hair color fund:), just kidding~
Pete recently found out that his monthly allergy prescription has gone up to $50.00 a month. That's a lot and that's not fun for either of us to spend money on. So I did some researching and calling our insurance to see what options there were. There really weren't any. Pete is miserable without this medicine. I did a google search to read up on allergies. I found this web-site, www.getcanadiandrugs.com. I know it seems a little weird. But I checked it out and they have a generic form of the same medicine that he uses. It seems pretty legit. Get this, a three-month supply for $30.00, including shipping! That's what I'm talking about!
We will see how it compares and works for him. Hopefully, there won't be any terrible side effects ~
Just thought I would pass along some money saving ideas. Some people share coupons; I tell you how you can access cheap foreign drugs.
I am always looking for ways to save money. Let me clarify, looking for ways to save money on things I hate spending money on.
We work from a cash budget, meaning, we allot a certain amount of money every two weeks when Pete is paid and once that money is up, we are done with spending. (Sometimes, it doesn't work out that perfectly but it helps us keep on track and there are usually a few discussions every so often on why we need more money in each category) On the whole, it seems to works for us. I am usually the one who handles all the weekly budgeting and spending, so I am always trying to figure out where we can pull money from one category and spend more in another ~ (usually my hair color fund:), just kidding~
Pete recently found out that his monthly allergy prescription has gone up to $50.00 a month. That's a lot and that's not fun for either of us to spend money on. So I did some researching and calling our insurance to see what options there were. There really weren't any. Pete is miserable without this medicine. I did a google search to read up on allergies. I found this web-site, www.getcanadiandrugs.com. I know it seems a little weird. But I checked it out and they have a generic form of the same medicine that he uses. It seems pretty legit. Get this, a three-month supply for $30.00, including shipping! That's what I'm talking about!
We will see how it compares and works for him. Hopefully, there won't be any terrible side effects ~
Just thought I would pass along some money saving ideas. Some people share coupons; I tell you how you can access cheap foreign drugs.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
“Rolling with the Punches”
I am not one who likes “Rolling with the Punches” or “Making Lemons out of Lemonade”. I have the philosophy of “Where there is a Will there is a Way”.
Today was a Marschall pre-school day. He goes two mornings a week and I have my routine down to a science. When it is all said and done, I have about 2.5 hours of real time to get something done, cleaned or bought with only one child in tow. I was out the door to take Marschall to school. Everyone was loaded up; Garrett’s diaper bag, Marschall’s school bag, my gym stuff, my purse, you get the idea). It takes some coordination to get out the door! Especially at 8:45 am. However,today, I was stopped in my tracks, literally.
Earlier this morning I had been looking everywhere for my keys and I finally found them in the ignition. Yea! I figured I had left them in the car since yesterday. I was thankful to find them and thankful that the car was not stolen either. Like I said I was stopped in my tracks so you see where this might be going… yeah, my battery was dead from leaving the keys in the car all night. Again,thankfully it was just dead and not stolen. I have had my car stolen before and to have it happen again would be one time too many.
Anyway, Pete had already left for the day to travel in the Raleigh area. My first thought, “oh gosh to be trapped at home all day with no transportation!” Then I became disgusted by the fact that it was my fault I left the keys in the car. Usually, I have someone else to blame, but not today. I get real frustrated when plans don’t go accordingly, (that’s a nice way of putting it). I will try to problem solve until I see there is no absolute way. I immediately thought of my gracious retired father-in-law. I thought, he always says he would be glad to help. I put him to the test! Thankfully, he came and jump-started the car. After he got it going I was only running about 30 minutes late. Marschall got to school and I got what I needed to get done.
I use to get real bent out of shape when circumstance would interrupt my daily plans. It's usually just the little, irritating stuff; like a dead battery. But after having children; I’m now surprised when things actually can work out when there is a bump in the road. Today was one of those days.... or I should say it was one of those mornings, who knows what the rest of the day will entail!
I am not one who likes “Rolling with the Punches” or “Making Lemons out of Lemonade”. I have the philosophy of “Where there is a Will there is a Way”.
Today was a Marschall pre-school day. He goes two mornings a week and I have my routine down to a science. When it is all said and done, I have about 2.5 hours of real time to get something done, cleaned or bought with only one child in tow. I was out the door to take Marschall to school. Everyone was loaded up; Garrett’s diaper bag, Marschall’s school bag, my gym stuff, my purse, you get the idea). It takes some coordination to get out the door! Especially at 8:45 am. However,today, I was stopped in my tracks, literally.
Earlier this morning I had been looking everywhere for my keys and I finally found them in the ignition. Yea! I figured I had left them in the car since yesterday. I was thankful to find them and thankful that the car was not stolen either. Like I said I was stopped in my tracks so you see where this might be going… yeah, my battery was dead from leaving the keys in the car all night. Again,thankfully it was just dead and not stolen. I have had my car stolen before and to have it happen again would be one time too many.
Anyway, Pete had already left for the day to travel in the Raleigh area. My first thought, “oh gosh to be trapped at home all day with no transportation!” Then I became disgusted by the fact that it was my fault I left the keys in the car. Usually, I have someone else to blame, but not today. I get real frustrated when plans don’t go accordingly, (that’s a nice way of putting it). I will try to problem solve until I see there is no absolute way. I immediately thought of my gracious retired father-in-law. I thought, he always says he would be glad to help. I put him to the test! Thankfully, he came and jump-started the car. After he got it going I was only running about 30 minutes late. Marschall got to school and I got what I needed to get done.
I use to get real bent out of shape when circumstance would interrupt my daily plans. It's usually just the little, irritating stuff; like a dead battery. But after having children; I’m now surprised when things actually can work out when there is a bump in the road. Today was one of those days.... or I should say it was one of those mornings, who knows what the rest of the day will entail!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Marriage thoughts
Pete and I were able to go to a marriage conference at our church on Saturday. We try to go to something of this sort every year or so. It’s been a while since the kids have come into the picture. It was just during the day on Saturday. I always like going to this sort of thing and I would go as far to say as most wives do. You feel like your husband is going to “get a good talking to” so to speak. A good reminder of what wives need. I always find it nice that Pete tries out some of the advice that they give to the husbands after it is over.
There were several things I took from it that really hit home. It’s funny, this time I don’t remember too much of what the husbands were called to do. I feel like I got “called out” as a wife and it’s a good thing…. I think all too often I can get caught into the mindset that the husbands are where it’s lacking and it’s “their fault” that we (the wife) aren’t content/happy…
Here is a different definition of love that really made me think. The speaker related it to the love Jesus has for His children as well as a husband and wife.
“The complete (100%), never-ending (forever) desire of what is best for another without the regard to cost.” Can you imagine if every spouse really lived that out in his or her marriage? There would be no dead marriage much less one that doesn’t survive.
Do you know what men really want? I hadn't heard some of these insights the speaker shared. (Pete agreed too)
·Men want respect in public
·Affirmation (they are afraid of being exposed that they are not in enough just in life and for their mate)
·Home is the most important place to feel affirmed; sex is a part of that~
·Wanted sexually by their spouse (usually you think they just want you, but husbands want to be “wanted” by their wives.)
·Want romance, we wives need to find the good when our husbands try to be romantic and encourage them in the way they express it.
·A wife that takes care of herself (This sounds a little chauvinistic, however, I like when Pete tries to dress nice, exercise and look good for me.) He’s fun to show off, because he’s mine and I’m his! I want him to be proud of me too.
That’s all, nothing crazy, but it’s nice to grab a tid-bit here and a tid-bit there. These kinds of times really spur on good conversation for us. Marriages go through dry times and fruitful times. Some of the drier times last longer than I wish. However, when there are fruitful times, I appreciate them all the more. After reading back over this and having a really fruitful (yet hopefully not multiplying, ha ha) good weekend, it makes me want to wear my “I love Pete” t-shirt and show the world. :)
Pete and I were able to go to a marriage conference at our church on Saturday. We try to go to something of this sort every year or so. It’s been a while since the kids have come into the picture. It was just during the day on Saturday. I always like going to this sort of thing and I would go as far to say as most wives do. You feel like your husband is going to “get a good talking to” so to speak. A good reminder of what wives need. I always find it nice that Pete tries out some of the advice that they give to the husbands after it is over.
There were several things I took from it that really hit home. It’s funny, this time I don’t remember too much of what the husbands were called to do. I feel like I got “called out” as a wife and it’s a good thing…. I think all too often I can get caught into the mindset that the husbands are where it’s lacking and it’s “their fault” that we (the wife) aren’t content/happy…
Here is a different definition of love that really made me think. The speaker related it to the love Jesus has for His children as well as a husband and wife.
“The complete (100%), never-ending (forever) desire of what is best for another without the regard to cost.” Can you imagine if every spouse really lived that out in his or her marriage? There would be no dead marriage much less one that doesn’t survive.
Do you know what men really want? I hadn't heard some of these insights the speaker shared. (Pete agreed too)
·Men want respect in public
·Affirmation (they are afraid of being exposed that they are not in enough just in life and for their mate)
·Home is the most important place to feel affirmed; sex is a part of that~
·Wanted sexually by their spouse (usually you think they just want you, but husbands want to be “wanted” by their wives.)
·Want romance, we wives need to find the good when our husbands try to be romantic and encourage them in the way they express it.
·A wife that takes care of herself (This sounds a little chauvinistic, however, I like when Pete tries to dress nice, exercise and look good for me.) He’s fun to show off, because he’s mine and I’m his! I want him to be proud of me too.
That’s all, nothing crazy, but it’s nice to grab a tid-bit here and a tid-bit there. These kinds of times really spur on good conversation for us. Marriages go through dry times and fruitful times. Some of the drier times last longer than I wish. However, when there are fruitful times, I appreciate them all the more. After reading back over this and having a really fruitful (yet hopefully not multiplying, ha ha) good weekend, it makes me want to wear my “I love Pete” t-shirt and show the world. :)
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