Trust without borders

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Every day is a gift

In August of last year I came down with a mystery illness that had me bed ridden for nearly two months and from which I am still recovering.  I had lost 15 pounds (among many other things) and it took every ounce of fighting power in me to just choke down two saltine crackers and to make it downstairs to see my husband and children at the end of the day, even if just for a few moments.  I have many thoughts on this trial that we have gone through, but I'll save those for a later post.  

Today I just want to say this: every day is a gift.  

Today, I woke up refreshed and was able to get right up and serve my family by making everyone breakfast.  I did the dishes afterwards and was able to walk upstairs to take a shower and get ready for the day.  We ran errands.  I did laundry.  I made two pans of lasagna, a salad, and mini meatloaves.  I did more dishes, more laundry, and served everyone supper.  I cleaned up supper.  I played games with my children.  I read them books. 

Every day is a gift.

I know it might not seem like that much, but a few months ago things looked very differently around this home.  I ached to be doing just this, what I did today.  Being a mother and a wife is my life's greatest joy.  I am SO thankful that I get to do just that.  

Psalm 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, 

that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Elise Kristen

The Birth Story of Elise Kristen

I went in to the hospital on the morning of the 17th for round one of the induction process.   They were going to insert a gel to help dilate the cervix so that the next day the pitocin would have a greater chance of success.  When we got there they hooked me up to the monitors and I was having contractions & when the doctor checked me I was 2cm dilated.  So, given my history of going from 4cm-10cm in 4hrs or less the doctor was uncomfortable inserting the gel and sending me home as she figured that would be enough to bring on labor that night & we would end up rushing to the hospital.  SO, luckily it was a slow day and the doctor decided we could just start pitocin and the full induction right then.  

So, here's the run down:

~10:40am - pitocin started

~12:00pm - still 2 cm, tried to break my water but couldn't get it

~1:00pm - doctor comes in to inform me that if no progress is made by dinner time they will turn everything off and re-start in the morning, to which I respond....well.....lets just say not so great

~1:10pm - I inform the nurse that I am getting out of the bed, walking around (beside the bed of course because they have to keep me hooked up to all their machines) and also I would like the birthing ball to bounce on.  I bounce & let gravity help things out for a good 2 hours.

~3:30pm - doctor comes back in, checks me and I'm 3-4cm, tries to break water again and gets it.  YES! That means baby has to come that day & will be arriving soon :)

~4:00pm - I opt for the epidural, that takes a bit setting up and getting in so it slows things down just a bit, but the relief from the pain is oh so nice

~5:45pm - doctor checks me and I'm 6cm, they start setting up the room to get ready

~6:30pm - doctor checks because I tell her it's getting close, I'm 9cm so I breath through a bunch of contractions toward the end to let her just descend on her own before pushing

~6:53pm - Elise Kristen enters the world after a few good pushes with no killer pain thanks to modern medicine!

Elise - "God's promises" - we chose this name first because we liked it & then checked the meaning and really thought that was appropriate too.  Also, we wanted her first name to be non-biblical (since our 7 year old Emily noted that her name was the only one not in the bible after Sarah and Samuel were born), & we also really liked that her first name would begin with an E like her big sister.

Kristen - "Christ follower" - also chosen at first glance just because we liked the name & meaning.  Stewart's middle name is Christopher and my middle name is Christine, both mean 'Christ follower' so we liked that her middle name incorporated both of our middle names but was also her own. 

Born on Father's Day 2012

7lbs. 15oz.

19 1/2 inches long

Girl time!

Emily is home on spring break this week and I've had it on my to-do list forever to set up a special manicure and pedicure time that we can be together and pamper ourselves.  Today while Sam was down for his nap the girls and I got to spend some much needed time together enjoying the beauty of being a woman!

I laid out a pretty comforter down on the floor and set up our station.

Mary Kay's Satin Hands (thanks to my MIL), nail polish remover, cotton balls, nail files and clippers, and of course the line of nail polish to choose from.

I lit some candles and put on Michael Bubble to set the mood (our favorite CD).

Then I started by reading from 1 Peter 3:3-4.  I want to teach the girls to take care of their bodies and to enjoy the beauty of being a woman but I always want to use these times to point to the scripture and to matters of the heart.  I want them to understand that it is important to take care of our bodies and that we can still do things to make us feel beautiful and enhance our natural beauty, but that what's really important is the beauty in our hearts. 

Then we got into the pampering, starting with exfoliating our hands and then on to our feet.  I think the girls' favorite part was definitely getting a foot rub from mommy.

And then for the final touch, our fingers and toe nails painted.

I hope to make this a monthly tradition!  What a special time it was today with my girls :-)

Tutu's in the rain

 Yesterday I came home from running some errands to find myself caught in a downpour and the garage door unable to open.  Neither of which was occurring when I left the house.  I look into the back seat at my two youngest, one in a blue tutu and another in a button up shirt and no pants.  Sigh.  I had hustled them into the car not really concerned with what they were wearing because I knew they would never leave the car with the errands I had to do.  And since we park in the garage I wasn't concerned about jackets either since they wouldn't be hitting the outside air.  But now, the power is out and the garage door is not working so an outside dash up and around to the front of the house is the way we will have to go.  I put Sam on my hip and hop Sarah down to the ground and we made a dash to the front door in the pouring rain.   

If you could have just seen the people in the cars on our road grin while Sarah bounced up the walkway.  Sarah in all her glory, rain coming down, curls a bouncing, giggling, blue tutu & pink sunglasses on.  Yes, she is a Joy for sure, a moment I hope I remember for a long time. 

My life verse

Over the past year I had the opportunity to meet with my pastor's wife as I was seeking some encouragement and direction in my life.  Sometimes the busyness of it all can become so overwhelming and I had lost my focus on the One who should be receiving my all.  So, she encouraged me to pick a life goal and to pair it with a verse or verses which I did for a main goal, a goal for motherhood, being a wife and friendships.  Today I just wanted to share what I selected for my life verse/goal.

Philippians 1:9-11 - And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

My goal: I want to be authentic, to know the truth.  I want people to see Jesus in me, my actions, my speech to the glory of God, to further His kingdom here on earth.

My action steps: First to spend more time in the Word and in prayer to be open to the Lord's leading as I seek His will for my life.

Sarah-style

 The Michael Jackson

 High heels and make-up

 Apple picking in style

It's 30 degrees outside and I still want to be a princess.......with boots.

Victory is Won