All my life I've grown up calling today "Easter Sunday." At church people say, "Happy Easter!" and I reply, "Yes, to you too" or even "Happy Easter" back to them. I've never been one who cares what the secular holiday is referred to - like "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays" I'm not the one to correct anyone but I will say Merry Christmas over the other, every time. But Easter has always been Easter and until recently I hadn't cared. But in my mind, I now call it "Resurrection Sunday" I won't say, "Happy Resurrection Sunday!" to people as I leave church, but my mind and soul need to be reminded.
I think it has especially been this way in the last few years. Teaching my kids about what this day is and why we are so excited just doesn't mean anything to them if all we say is, "Today is Easter and it's a time to celebrate" no, I need to share the gospel with them all the time but especially to give today the importance it is due.
This year I partook a little bit in the practice of Lent. I made it my own - as any baptist kid would do. I scaled back on my social media involvement as a way to gain some time back. But I've learned through all the devotions/sermons/books/blogs that it's not what you give up but more about what you devote yourself to. I started a few reading plans on the YouVersion Bible app that focus your heart during the Lenten season. I read a book called 1000 Gifts - a dare to live fully right where you are. This book has impacted my life greatly and I am so thankful God brought it to my life during this time. I have even been moved greatly by The Bible Series on the history channel - yes, it's true. I love seeing the realistic portrayal of the Bible and Jesus' life.
I am excited that tomorrow is April and the smells of spring are in the air. It is a way for me to move into the next season of life and start fresh with God. To give myself over to the Holy Spirit and let God lead in my life. Of all the devotions and blogs, ect... that I have read recently, this Why He came, a Good Friday reflection: the one-piece life stuck out as a calling to live my life differently. No longer separate with home, kids, church, family, and me but all one piece of my life to live holy for Jesus. I pray it will encourage you to live the same.
He is Risen!
February 2013
Here's a recap of some of our events for february.
February. It was a good month full of friends and easy-going times.
The extended Krishnan clan came back to town. Leah and her kids as well as Micah and his wifey-to-be. We were able to hang out with Leah and the kids a few times because they were here for two weeks. J and N had a good time, and B is still talking about N as his "friend." It is very sweet. We did have a little mix-up with the boys both having the same name. If Leah would tell her boy to stop something, then mine would stop immediately. It was pretty funny.
Micah had an engagement party at Mat's house. It was a good night to catch up and meet his girl. She fits with him so well. God has blessed them for sure.
On the last night of Leah's visit we went ice skating at the Huntsville ice rink with the Aherns. J had a great time and thanks to Matt and Candace for the heads up on bringing 5 gallon buckets to help the kids support themselves. It will be a good family activity next year because there's not much harm the kids can do (if we remember helmets) and the parents can have some fun themselves. The pictures I took didn't turn out well - I mean, it was dark and they were very small, quick moments I tried to capture.
There was a small hockey game/practice going on down on the other end. It was a bigger, smoother rink this year and we will return for sure. - though they did have what seemed like 12 year old boys running the rental shop. At least next year they will be older, right?
B didn't use skates and he was a boy on his own, mostly refusing to use a bucket for help. He ended up hanging with Elaine and Leah near the picnic tables most of the time. - Thanks to them for helping me.
L had a great time hanging over the bucket and being pushed around by Eric.
J doing her thing. It was suggested by everyone but me that we should sign her up for lessons. I'm thinking about it, okay.
My sweetie having a great time.
We love where we live (though not loving the construction in the canyon) and I'm learning to be more and more thankful everyday.
February. It was a good month full of friends and easy-going times.
The extended Krishnan clan came back to town. Leah and her kids as well as Micah and his wifey-to-be. We were able to hang out with Leah and the kids a few times because they were here for two weeks. J and N had a good time, and B is still talking about N as his "friend." It is very sweet. We did have a little mix-up with the boys both having the same name. If Leah would tell her boy to stop something, then mine would stop immediately. It was pretty funny.
Micah had an engagement party at Mat's house. It was a good night to catch up and meet his girl. She fits with him so well. God has blessed them for sure.
On the last night of Leah's visit we went ice skating at the Huntsville ice rink with the Aherns. J had a great time and thanks to Matt and Candace for the heads up on bringing 5 gallon buckets to help the kids support themselves. It will be a good family activity next year because there's not much harm the kids can do (if we remember helmets) and the parents can have some fun themselves. The pictures I took didn't turn out well - I mean, it was dark and they were very small, quick moments I tried to capture.
We love where we live (though not loving the construction in the canyon) and I'm learning to be more and more thankful everyday.
January 2013
My goal for two-thousand thirteen is to write one blog post a month. I know, for some people that's not much, but for me it's a lot - I mean this post for January is coming in mid-February.
Journals
I have a few new journals this year. I have always loved the idea of journals, but lately I haven't been great at actually using them. For my second pregnancy and first baby (trying to be a bit more private on the blog with names & such - though there will still be pictures every now and again) I had a small moleskine I wrote messages and notes to her. I wrote my thoughts, feelings, symptoms, updates on doctor visits, pretty much everything. After she was born the posts became more sporadic, but I was still able to capture her first year in that one journal. It now resides safely in our safety deposit box. Along came third pregnancy and second baby. This time it was much more difficult to make time to write. I kept a log on my phone with cute things he would do and milestones, but most are still waiting to be written. I don't think I've written in his journal for over a year.
In that time (about 4 years so far) my journals for my spiritual journey have suffered as well. I know having young kids is an excuse for some but I no longer want to let it be an excuse for me. So this year I bought two new journals in attempts to find a renewed love for journaling. The first is called a Five Year Journal. It contains a small space set out for capturing a memory for each day and each day/page has five spaces for a total of five years. I have been enjoying the freedom of capturing bits of our day or funny/intelligent things the kids say and do without the pressure of filling pages and pages with detail. One step at a time!
The second journal I purchased (both were Christmas presents for myself from my family) is a moleskine daily diary. They come in a variety of colors, which I love. I chose the larger, kelly green and I love it! It has a bunch of fun extras that moleskine always offers but mostly it has a page per day. I have read through the gospels since January 1. No, I haven't read every day on the day but I have enjoyed it and not felt burdened as before. The journal came with an address book that fits in the back and I have turned it into a prayer journal complete with alphabetized list of friends and families' prayer requests.
The person I am is very happy to own these two journals. Here's to 2013 and a great year of thoughts, memories, and prayers written down. Hoping to also do a bit of catch-up on the journals for the kids - we'll see.
Thanks for reading if you are still following :) God bless your year.
Fun night on the patio
I took a few photos of the kiddies while they were playing on the back porch tonight. I love these two so much and I am enjoying the stage of life they are in. They do more of the same things, eat the same foods, and have almost the same schedules (J no longer naps.) Here are my beauties:
I love being a mother
I am a mother and I love it. There are days that I am worn out and tired and very frustrated but it is all trivial compared to the gift I have in my children. My kids, J and B, are the best I could ever imagine. I am not going to write a post about how much I love my kids or what they have taught me - mostly because I haven't processed all of that yet. I am just going to tell you about two songs that are so special to my heart.
I really enjoy a singer/songwriter named JJ Heller. She and her husband write songs together. They have many records and tour around the country every so often. They also have two girls that are around the same age as my kids. JJ has written a song dedicated to each of her girls and I took them as my own for my kids. (side note- someday I would like to write a song or two but just not right now.) I sing her song, "Keep You Safe" to J sometimes before bed or if she is unsettled at night. I recently found her new song, "Boat Song" and I sing it to B now. Here's a link to both of the songs. I hope you enjoy them. She doesn't have an official video for "Keep You Safe" but I found a video someone has made with the song and lyrics. It's hard to see the words because they used yellow font over a busy background but it's the best I could find on youtube.
I really enjoy a singer/songwriter named JJ Heller. She and her husband write songs together. They have many records and tour around the country every so often. They also have two girls that are around the same age as my kids. JJ has written a song dedicated to each of her girls and I took them as my own for my kids. (side note- someday I would like to write a song or two but just not right now.) I sing her song, "Keep You Safe" to J sometimes before bed or if she is unsettled at night. I recently found her new song, "Boat Song" and I sing it to B now. Here's a link to both of the songs. I hope you enjoy them. She doesn't have an official video for "Keep You Safe" but I found a video someone has made with the song and lyrics. It's hard to see the words because they used yellow font over a busy background but it's the best I could find on youtube.
Keep You Safe by JJ Heller
Boat Song by JJ Heller
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