Last night, after I got the kids in bed, Justin and I watched "Salt" downstairs in our little basement family room. We have an old loveseat that we recently moved down from the play room (which is now Deuce's bedroom). It's not the most comfortable piece of furniture, but it's better than sitting on the floor. Anyway, I think we had the best movie watching experience in recent memory. That's simply because we sat next to each other and actually watched the entire movie together. Normally, he's often on his laptop and I often fall asleep. Plus, we're usually on opposite ends of the couch. Cozied up next to Justin on loveseat, with his big burly arm around me is the best way to view a film. 80) It helps that the movie was good too! I'm looking forward to spending New Years Eve with my husband tonight too!
Deuce didn't do as well last night as he did the night before. He woke up around midnight, and didn't go back to bed until after 2. At one point, he was totally awake and smiling. Little turd! Thankfully, Justin let me go to bed shortly before 2, while he took care of getting the boy back to bed.And then Deuce woke up around 6 this morning.
I love coffee.
Josie, on the other hand, went to bed around 8, and slept in past 7:30. Deuce, try to be more like your sister, please.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Good Morning!
So far, it's shaping up to be a good morning!
Deuce slept through the night! I went to bed later than I should have, but I got 5 straight hours of sleep instead of my sleep being interrupted at least once. I know that if I got more sleep every night, I'd probably feel better during the day.
I worked out (did my 30 Day Shred dvd) early this morning, so I'm feeling great about that. Four days of exercising in a row! One more day this week, and then I'm off for two days. My eating has been on point for 4 straight days too. The biggest test will be when we go to Ohio next month. I HOPE I can stick to my guns and keep eating well. I'm not feeling too confident that I'll lose all the weight I need to (I underestimated - I need to lose 28 lbs to reach my goal) by February 25, but I think I'll come pretty close.
I followed my workout with a delightful cup of coffee and a bowl of scrambled eggs, broccoli and tomatoes! Speaking of eating, I should mention that Deuce has been doing really well eating with a spoon! The other day, I made some broccoli and carrot baby food, and Deuce has been letting me feed them to him. This morning, I fed him oatmeal. I know that he's actually swallowing a lot more when I feed him (instead of feeding himself), and the clean up is so much easier!
Later, the kids and I are going to Kim's house for a little Bible study (she's picking us up). We all get to get out of the house, the kids get to play with the other children there, and I get to spend time with my girl friends, studying God's word. 80) Sounds like a win-win-win situation to me!
Deuce slept through the night! I went to bed later than I should have, but I got 5 straight hours of sleep instead of my sleep being interrupted at least once. I know that if I got more sleep every night, I'd probably feel better during the day.
I worked out (did my 30 Day Shred dvd) early this morning, so I'm feeling great about that. Four days of exercising in a row! One more day this week, and then I'm off for two days. My eating has been on point for 4 straight days too. The biggest test will be when we go to Ohio next month. I HOPE I can stick to my guns and keep eating well. I'm not feeling too confident that I'll lose all the weight I need to (I underestimated - I need to lose 28 lbs to reach my goal) by February 25, but I think I'll come pretty close.
I followed my workout with a delightful cup of coffee and a bowl of scrambled eggs, broccoli and tomatoes! Speaking of eating, I should mention that Deuce has been doing really well eating with a spoon! The other day, I made some broccoli and carrot baby food, and Deuce has been letting me feed them to him. This morning, I fed him oatmeal. I know that he's actually swallowing a lot more when I feed him (instead of feeding himself), and the clean up is so much easier!
Later, the kids and I are going to Kim's house for a little Bible study (she's picking us up). We all get to get out of the house, the kids get to play with the other children there, and I get to spend time with my girl friends, studying God's word. 80) Sounds like a win-win-win situation to me!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
I Want to Run...
I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone running and immediately got an ache in my heart, remembering how much I loved to run. In my prime, (late 2004, all of 2005 and part of 2006), I ran miles and miles and miles. I remember getting home from work, getting my running gear on, and going for an enjoyable run. Sometimes I'd go 6 or 8 miles - and not even feel like it. I also remember running 15 miles while training for my marathon, and thinking "this is fun!" I just loved pounding the pavement (or concrete). It didn't matter what the weather was like either. Although, I wasn't a fan of really hot days. But I would totally run in the snow and often in the rain. Anywhere between 45 and 70 degrees was perfect. 80) I know that a lot of people don't understand it, but there's something about long distance running that is different than other types of exercise. For me, the first 1/2 mile or or so was usually tough, but once I got past that, it was smooth sailing for as long as I felt like going. It was definitely euphoric.
Sigh. I hate living in the past. I wish I could blame that stupid sidewalk near Swift and Holmes... But that trip/fall, which injured my knee really messed me up. While, it wasn't a serious injury, I wasn't able to run for a LONG time. And then I got pregnant with Josie. Whatever running skills I had were gone. I ran a few miles here and there, but nothing like it used to be.
I haven't run an organized race since before I got pregnant with Deuce. I ran my marathon 4 1/2 years ago. I don't want that to be my only one. But I am SO far from being in that kind of shape again. My endurance has not been so great lately. Usually, I can run a mile fairly easily, but not much more than that. I tend to run and walk intermittently. Maybe if I were outside and not on a treadmill, I could run farther more easily.
Meh. I just really want to get from where I am (not having as much motivation or endurance) to where I was (when running was a passion and not exercise, and I could go for miles with no problem). I guess all I can do is just start running. Justin and the kids can't afford for me to get hurt, so until Spring comes, I'll have to run inside on a treadmill.
I can do this. I wasn't a marathoner on the first day; it took lots of time and effort to work my way up to that distance. It's going to take time and effort to become a distance runner, but I really want to try.
Sigh. I hate living in the past. I wish I could blame that stupid sidewalk near Swift and Holmes... But that trip/fall, which injured my knee really messed me up. While, it wasn't a serious injury, I wasn't able to run for a LONG time. And then I got pregnant with Josie. Whatever running skills I had were gone. I ran a few miles here and there, but nothing like it used to be.
I haven't run an organized race since before I got pregnant with Deuce. I ran my marathon 4 1/2 years ago. I don't want that to be my only one. But I am SO far from being in that kind of shape again. My endurance has not been so great lately. Usually, I can run a mile fairly easily, but not much more than that. I tend to run and walk intermittently. Maybe if I were outside and not on a treadmill, I could run farther more easily.
Meh. I just really want to get from where I am (not having as much motivation or endurance) to where I was (when running was a passion and not exercise, and I could go for miles with no problem). I guess all I can do is just start running. Justin and the kids can't afford for me to get hurt, so until Spring comes, I'll have to run inside on a treadmill.
I can do this. I wasn't a marathoner on the first day; it took lots of time and effort to work my way up to that distance. It's going to take time and effort to become a distance runner, but I really want to try.
Proverbs 31:14-16
Proverbs 31:14
KJV - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
NKJV - She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
NIV - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
In the same way that merchant ships were valuable in providing people with goods from around the world, a wife of noble character is so valuable to her family, because she is responsible for providing them with food. It is doubtful that she traveled to faraway lands for food (as she was needed at home), but rather purchased a variety of foods that had been imported from various places.
Proverbs 31:15
KJV - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
NKJV - She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
NIV - She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
At the very least, it seems obvious that she woke up before the rest of her household to tend to some of the day's preparations. She prepared food for both her family and her servants. Of course, we do not have servants today, and most of the meals we make don't require hours and hours of preparation. Nevertheless, getting up early to get ready for the day is a good thing. Plus, it is a great opportunity to spend time with the Lord
Proverbs 31:16
KJV - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
NKJV - She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
NIV - She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
The main idea here is that she considers a field. She is very thoughtful and wise about her decision. And notice that it doesn't say that she consulted with her husband. She made that decision on her own as far as we can tell. Can you imagine buying a piece of land`or a car without your husband's input? The only conclusion I can make is based on verses 11 and 12. Her husband has full confidence in her, and she only makes decisions that she knows will bring him good (prosperity, benefit, etc), and of which he will approve. That is some serious trusting!
It's hard to say if the earnings she used to plant a vineyard were from the field. Perhaps she planted a simple crop in the field, and used profits from selling the harvest to plant the vineyard. Regardless, a virtuous woman is thoughtful and informed when making financial decisions. She is savvy with her money.
***Proverbs 31:14-16 NIV - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.***
KJV - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
NKJV - She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
NIV - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
In the same way that merchant ships were valuable in providing people with goods from around the world, a wife of noble character is so valuable to her family, because she is responsible for providing them with food. It is doubtful that she traveled to faraway lands for food (as she was needed at home), but rather purchased a variety of foods that had been imported from various places.
Proverbs 31:15
KJV - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
NKJV - She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
NIV - She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
At the very least, it seems obvious that she woke up before the rest of her household to tend to some of the day's preparations. She prepared food for both her family and her servants. Of course, we do not have servants today, and most of the meals we make don't require hours and hours of preparation. Nevertheless, getting up early to get ready for the day is a good thing. Plus, it is a great opportunity to spend time with the Lord
Proverbs 31:16
KJV - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
NKJV - She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
NIV - She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
The main idea here is that she considers a field. She is very thoughtful and wise about her decision. And notice that it doesn't say that she consulted with her husband. She made that decision on her own as far as we can tell. Can you imagine buying a piece of land`or a car without your husband's input? The only conclusion I can make is based on verses 11 and 12. Her husband has full confidence in her, and she only makes decisions that she knows will bring him good (prosperity, benefit, etc), and of which he will approve. That is some serious trusting!
It's hard to say if the earnings she used to plant a vineyard were from the field. Perhaps she planted a simple crop in the field, and used profits from selling the harvest to plant the vineyard. Regardless, a virtuous woman is thoughtful and informed when making financial decisions. She is savvy with her money.
***Proverbs 31:14-16 NIV - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.***
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Proverbs 31:12-13
Proverbs 31:12a
KJV - She will do him good and not evil
NKJV - She does him good and not evil
NIV - She brings him good, not harm,
The Hebrew word tove means prosperity, happiness, benefit, etc.
Everything that we say and do should be beneficial and bring prosperity and happiness to our husbands. Yes, this means being selfless and putting our own desires aside for the well-being of our husbands.
There are many ways we can bring/do our husbands good: Keep the home clean/tidy, have dinner planned and prepared, be respectful. A wife's demeanor should also be beneficial to her husband.
The Hebrew word rah means distress, misery, injury, calamity, etc. Even though it's probably rarely intentional, all of us have brought harm in one way or another to our husbands.
Proverbs 19:13b - a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
In other words, a nagging, argumentative and disrespectful wife is really, really annoying to her husband.
Proverbs 31:12b
KJV
NKJV > all the days of her life.
NIV
All the days. Everyday, without exception. We are not given days off. A virtuous wife should not say, "today I'm going to be lazy and selfish. Today I'm going to complain, nag, and argue." No, we are expected to always bring good and never bring harm to our husbands. Each and every day.
It seems like an impossible task. But if we are serving the Lord everyday...
Luke 9:23 - 23 Then [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
... then it should not be difficult to bring good to our husbands. In fact, it will probably be a natural result of following Jesus.
***
Proverbs 31:12a
KJV - She seeketh wool, and flax,
NKJV - She seeks wool and flax,
NIV - She selects wool and flax
In my opinion, "select" does not sufficiently express the original meaning of the text. The word "seek" in Hebrew means to seek with care, enquire of, investigate, ask for.
Jeremiah 29:13:
Luke 11:9-10:
There is importance in the act of seeking. It was not good enough to just to go to the market and pick any wool and flax she found. In the same way, It's not good enough for us wives to select something without first thinking about it, investigating it, and seeking it with care.
Proverbs 31:13b
KJV - and worketh willingly with her hands.
NKJV - and works willingly with her hands.
NIV - and works with eager hands.
In this context, "work" means to make, produce, or prepare something.
Back in the day, it was necessary for a woman to be able to spin wool or flax into yarn in order to weave or knit blankets and clothing for her family. Today, that need is generally not as required, but there is value in working with your hands to create something of value.
The word "eager" or "willingly" is actually a noun in Hebrew - chephets - which means delight, pleasure, desire, longing.
As wives, we must not only be willing and eager to work hard with our hands taking care of things around the home, but we must delight in the tasks at hand.
After the Fall, God told the woman (Eve) her punishment, which would be the punishment for all women:
Genesis 3:16b NIV - "...Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Again, we have to be selfless and put our own desires aside. As difficult as it is, our husband's desires trump our own.
However, there is hope.
Ephesians 5:25 NIV - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
If our husbands are loving us like Christ loves the church (ie sacrificially), then they will want our desires to be met. They will want to make us happy as a result of the respect, dignity and happiness that we give them.
*** Proverbs 31:12-13 NKJV - She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. ***
KJV - She will do him good and not evil
NKJV - She does him good and not evil
NIV - She brings him good, not harm,
The Hebrew word tove means prosperity, happiness, benefit, etc.
Everything that we say and do should be beneficial and bring prosperity and happiness to our husbands. Yes, this means being selfless and putting our own desires aside for the well-being of our husbands.
There are many ways we can bring/do our husbands good: Keep the home clean/tidy, have dinner planned and prepared, be respectful. A wife's demeanor should also be beneficial to her husband.
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. - 1 Peter 3:1-2
The Hebrew word rah means distress, misery, injury, calamity, etc. Even though it's probably rarely intentional, all of us have brought harm in one way or another to our husbands.
Proverbs 19:13b - a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
In other words, a nagging, argumentative and disrespectful wife is really, really annoying to her husband.
Proverbs 31:12b
KJV
NKJV > all the days of her life.
NIV
All the days. Everyday, without exception. We are not given days off. A virtuous wife should not say, "today I'm going to be lazy and selfish. Today I'm going to complain, nag, and argue." No, we are expected to always bring good and never bring harm to our husbands. Each and every day.
It seems like an impossible task. But if we are serving the Lord everyday...
Luke 9:23 - 23 Then [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
... then it should not be difficult to bring good to our husbands. In fact, it will probably be a natural result of following Jesus.
***
Proverbs 31:12a
KJV - She seeketh wool, and flax,
NKJV - She seeks wool and flax,
NIV - She selects wool and flax
In my opinion, "select" does not sufficiently express the original meaning of the text. The word "seek" in Hebrew means to seek with care, enquire of, investigate, ask for.
Jeremiah 29:13:
And you will seek (seek to secure, to desire, demand) Me and find (meet, encounter, acquire) Me when you search (seek with care, enquire of, investigate, ask for) for Me with all your heart.
Luke 11:9-10:
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Zeteo in Greek means to seek a thing, to seek in order to find out by thinking, meditating, reasoning, aim at, strive after.
There is importance in the act of seeking. It was not good enough to just to go to the market and pick any wool and flax she found. In the same way, It's not good enough for us wives to select something without first thinking about it, investigating it, and seeking it with care.
Proverbs 31:13b
KJV - and worketh willingly with her hands.
NKJV - and works willingly with her hands.
NIV - and works with eager hands.
In this context, "work" means to make, produce, or prepare something.
Back in the day, it was necessary for a woman to be able to spin wool or flax into yarn in order to weave or knit blankets and clothing for her family. Today, that need is generally not as required, but there is value in working with your hands to create something of value.
The word "eager" or "willingly" is actually a noun in Hebrew - chephets - which means delight, pleasure, desire, longing.
As wives, we must not only be willing and eager to work hard with our hands taking care of things around the home, but we must delight in the tasks at hand.
After the Fall, God told the woman (Eve) her punishment, which would be the punishment for all women:
Genesis 3:16b NIV - "...Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Again, we have to be selfless and put our own desires aside. As difficult as it is, our husband's desires trump our own.
However, there is hope.
Ephesians 5:25 NIV - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
If our husbands are loving us like Christ loves the church (ie sacrificially), then they will want our desires to be met. They will want to make us happy as a result of the respect, dignity and happiness that we give them.
*** Proverbs 31:12-13 NKJV - She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. ***
Proverbs 31:10-11
Proverbs 31:10a
KJV – Who can find a virtuous woman?
NKJV – Who can find a virtuous woman?
NIV – A wife of noble character who can find?
Virtuous - Having moral excellence and admirable qualities.
Proverbs 12:4NIV - A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
A king's crown is what sets him apart from everyone else. It reveals his status, and completes his royal ensemble. In the same way, a wife of noble character (ie admirable or magnificent) completes her husband. A wife is to bring worth to her husband. On the other hand, a disgraceful (ie shameful, blameworthy, dishonorable) wife is like decay or rot in her husband's bones.
Are you a virtuous woman? Do you bring honor or putrescence to your husband?
Proverbs 31:10b
KJV - For her price is far above rubies.
NKJV - For her worth is far above rubies.
NIV - She is worth far more than rubies.
In today's market, rubies run about $300 depending on the size, cut, clarity etc each. But we know that we are worth far more than that, especially if are exemplifying 1 Peter 3:3-4:
In truth, our worth is SO far above rubies. God paid a serious price for each of us.
Christ died for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3.
We were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20
A woman who is virtuous and noble, who has a gentle and quiet spirit, and who has genuine faith is very valuable to God.
***
Proverbs 31:11a
KJV – The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
NKJV – The heart of her husband safely trusts her,
NIV – Her husband has full confidence in her
To Trust (batach in Hebrew) means to trust, have confidence in, to be bold, to be secure.
We must be so trustworthy that others (especially our husbands) have full confidence and feel safe and secure with us. This is more than physical safety. A husband must be able to trust his wife with his thoughts, emotions, passions, dreams, goals. A wife should never take her husband's feelings lightly. When he wants to share his heart with her, she needs to be his confidant, and keep the revelations of his heart protected and private.
Proverbs 31:11b
KJV - that he shall have no need of spoil.
NKJV - so that he will have no lack of gain.
NIV - and lacks nothing of value.
The Hebrew word shalal means prey, plunder, booty, spoil of war. In other words, that which is taken from the enemy after battle.
The Amplified Bible says it most sufficiently in my opinion:
...so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
In other words, our husbands should be able to trust us so much that they will not look elsewhere for riches (both tangible and intangible). Everything of value should be found in us. As wives, we need to ensure that our husbands lack nothing of value in his marriage. It is our responsibility to bring respect and worth to our husbands.
In the same way that husbands find value in their wives, so we all find value in knowing Jesus Christ. In Christ we have access to (out of context):
Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV)
There is nothing and no one that compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus.
*** Proverbs 31:10-11 (NIV) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ***
KJV – Who can find a virtuous woman?
NKJV – Who can find a virtuous woman?
NIV – A wife of noble character who can find?
Virtuous - Having moral excellence and admirable qualities.
Proverbs 12:4NIV - A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
A king's crown is what sets him apart from everyone else. It reveals his status, and completes his royal ensemble. In the same way, a wife of noble character (ie admirable or magnificent) completes her husband. A wife is to bring worth to her husband. On the other hand, a disgraceful (ie shameful, blameworthy, dishonorable) wife is like decay or rot in her husband's bones.
Are you a virtuous woman? Do you bring honor or putrescence to your husband?
Proverbs 31:10b
KJV - For her price is far above rubies.
NKJV - For her worth is far above rubies.
NIV - She is worth far more than rubies.
In today's market, rubies run about $300 depending on the size, cut, clarity etc each. But we know that we are worth far more than that, especially if are exemplifying 1 Peter 3:3-4:
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
In truth, our worth is SO far above rubies. God paid a serious price for each of us.
Christ died for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3.
We were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20
These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. - 1 Peter 1:7.
A woman who is virtuous and noble, who has a gentle and quiet spirit, and who has genuine faith is very valuable to God.
***
Proverbs 31:11a
KJV – The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
NKJV – The heart of her husband safely trusts her,
NIV – Her husband has full confidence in her
To Trust (batach in Hebrew) means to trust, have confidence in, to be bold, to be secure.
We must be so trustworthy that others (especially our husbands) have full confidence and feel safe and secure with us. This is more than physical safety. A husband must be able to trust his wife with his thoughts, emotions, passions, dreams, goals. A wife should never take her husband's feelings lightly. When he wants to share his heart with her, she needs to be his confidant, and keep the revelations of his heart protected and private.
Proverbs 31:11b
KJV - that he shall have no need of spoil.
NKJV - so that he will have no lack of gain.
NIV - and lacks nothing of value.
The Hebrew word shalal means prey, plunder, booty, spoil of war. In other words, that which is taken from the enemy after battle.
The Amplified Bible says it most sufficiently in my opinion:
...so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
In other words, our husbands should be able to trust us so much that they will not look elsewhere for riches (both tangible and intangible). Everything of value should be found in us. As wives, we need to ensure that our husbands lack nothing of value in his marriage. It is our responsibility to bring respect and worth to our husbands.
In the same way that husbands find value in their wives, so we all find value in knowing Jesus Christ. In Christ we have access to (out of context):
- Riches of His kindness (Romans 2:4)
- Riches of His glory (Romans 9:23)
- Riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God (Romans 11:33)
- Riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7, 2:7)
- Riches of His glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)
Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV)
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
There is nothing and no one that compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus.
*** Proverbs 31:10-11 (NIV) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ***
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Changes
I'm looking forward to making some changes in my life.
Starting tomorrow, I'm going to do my best to work out 5 days a week, and eat really well. I want to be at a certain weight by Justin's birthday, which is February 25. That gives me 60 days to drop about 20 lbs, which is about 2.5 lbs a week. I know it won't be easy, but it's doable. And I really need to be eating better. I just have no willpower during the holidays it seems. I'm hoping that being hardcore will help jump start a significant weight loss.
The other changes will hopefully come as a result of deactivating my facebook account.
First and foremost, I want to wake up each morning in prayer and bible reading. This will require me to probably set an alarm (since right now my alarm is Deuce waking up) for pretty early. He usually wakes up any time between 5 and 6 most days. I'm sure there will be mornings he gets up before me, but hopefully 5:30 will be a good time to spend with the Lord. It's not going to be easy, but I want to be diligent in seeking God.
Second, I want to spend more time playing with my kids. This will require me to be more efficient at keeping the house in order. And I also need to recognize when a chore can wait. No one will get hurt if the dishes sit for another hour while I have fun with my children. 80)
Third, I want to start a daily curriculum with Josie. I had a very simple one going for a little while, but stopped for whatever reason. She's a smart little cookie. She knows all the capital letters of the alphabet by sight. She can sing the song for the most part - she skips a few, and LMNO, doesn't sound much like the letters at all. lol. Plus recently, I've heard her make the letter's sound after she says it. "B, buh," which I think is pretty cool. She is also counting a lot more, recognizing shapes and colors and animals. Her vocabulary is definitely growing too. So, I'm going to try to come up with a short daily lesson /activity (maybe while Deuce is taking his morning nap) to do with her. If I'm going to homeschool, I better start practicing!
Fourth, I want to do a better job at keeping the house in order, without taking too much time away from the kids. I need to be more focused on one task at a time, and not be pulled to and fro between all the different things that need to be accomplished. I love Sesame Street, because I know it's one hour that Josie and Deuce are preoccupied, so I can do housework. But that means I actually have to do chores, and not stand around texting or whatever if I want to get much done in that hour!
Finally, I want to spend more time scrapbooking and doing other creative things. I think if I'm not spending as much time on the computer or in front of the TV, I will hopefully have more time to be creative. I have fallen very behind in my scrapbooks, and need to work hard to get them up to date!
Well, I certainly have my work cut out for me! I know that I can do it - I just need to rely on God's strength. I don't think I'll regret working harder in many different areas of my life, because I'm pretty sure the payoffs will be great. 80)
Starting tomorrow, I'm going to do my best to work out 5 days a week, and eat really well. I want to be at a certain weight by Justin's birthday, which is February 25. That gives me 60 days to drop about 20 lbs, which is about 2.5 lbs a week. I know it won't be easy, but it's doable. And I really need to be eating better. I just have no willpower during the holidays it seems. I'm hoping that being hardcore will help jump start a significant weight loss.
The other changes will hopefully come as a result of deactivating my facebook account.
First and foremost, I want to wake up each morning in prayer and bible reading. This will require me to probably set an alarm (since right now my alarm is Deuce waking up) for pretty early. He usually wakes up any time between 5 and 6 most days. I'm sure there will be mornings he gets up before me, but hopefully 5:30 will be a good time to spend with the Lord. It's not going to be easy, but I want to be diligent in seeking God.
Second, I want to spend more time playing with my kids. This will require me to be more efficient at keeping the house in order. And I also need to recognize when a chore can wait. No one will get hurt if the dishes sit for another hour while I have fun with my children. 80)
Third, I want to start a daily curriculum with Josie. I had a very simple one going for a little while, but stopped for whatever reason. She's a smart little cookie. She knows all the capital letters of the alphabet by sight. She can sing the song for the most part - she skips a few, and LMNO, doesn't sound much like the letters at all. lol. Plus recently, I've heard her make the letter's sound after she says it. "B, buh," which I think is pretty cool. She is also counting a lot more, recognizing shapes and colors and animals. Her vocabulary is definitely growing too. So, I'm going to try to come up with a short daily lesson /activity (maybe while Deuce is taking his morning nap) to do with her. If I'm going to homeschool, I better start practicing!
Fourth, I want to do a better job at keeping the house in order, without taking too much time away from the kids. I need to be more focused on one task at a time, and not be pulled to and fro between all the different things that need to be accomplished. I love Sesame Street, because I know it's one hour that Josie and Deuce are preoccupied, so I can do housework. But that means I actually have to do chores, and not stand around texting or whatever if I want to get much done in that hour!
Finally, I want to spend more time scrapbooking and doing other creative things. I think if I'm not spending as much time on the computer or in front of the TV, I will hopefully have more time to be creative. I have fallen very behind in my scrapbooks, and need to work hard to get them up to date!
Well, I certainly have my work cut out for me! I know that I can do it - I just need to rely on God's strength. I don't think I'll regret working harder in many different areas of my life, because I'm pretty sure the payoffs will be great. 80)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Countdown to Facebook Elimination
I've been back on facebook for about 2 months, and it did not take me long at all to fall back into my old habits. I really wanted to limit my time on it as much as possible, and spend my days being a good wife and mommy. Don't hear me wrong - I'm not saying that if you use FB, you're a bad spouse or parent. But I think that *I* am. Or at least, I'm not as good as I could be.
My last day is going to be December 31st. I'm starting 2011 facebook free.
10 days left to read pointless, hilarious, maddening and poignant status updates.
10 days left to see pictures of your beautiful families.
10 days left to have any idea what's going on in many of your lives.
I really hope that deactivating my FB account will help me get my priorities straight. Hopefully my house, my kids, and my Bible will get more attention from me.
Please keep in touch! My email address is sarahbearjones@gmail.com. If you email me, I'd be happy to give you my mailing address too, if you want it. I'm actually looking forward to writing letters and sending cards. 80)
Love everyone!!
My last day is going to be December 31st. I'm starting 2011 facebook free.
10 days left to read pointless, hilarious, maddening and poignant status updates.
10 days left to see pictures of your beautiful families.
10 days left to have any idea what's going on in many of your lives.
I really hope that deactivating my FB account will help me get my priorities straight. Hopefully my house, my kids, and my Bible will get more attention from me.
Please keep in touch! My email address is sarahbearjones@gmail.com. If you email me, I'd be happy to give you my mailing address too, if you want it. I'm actually looking forward to writing letters and sending cards. 80)
Love everyone!!
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