Set Free

What is more stretching to you?  Serving others or having them have to serve you in your time of need? Receiving service from people is appreciated from time to time, but when you have that consistent need from people for a longer period of time it gets difficult.  Well, at least for me.  I've had a few moments in my life where I have had these types of situations. What thoughts go through your mind when these situations come up?

Who would have thought?  I thought we were hitting spring early (or at least I was thankful and hopeful).  We were having temps in the 50s and even hit the 60 mark.  How can we go from 50s to inches of snow in a matter of a couple days? I know. It's called Iowa. We are usually known for corn, farming, and getting mistaken for Idaho. But the reason I think we should be known for is our frequent, ever-changing weather within days.  It only takes one day to make a drastic weather change. I wish I had a picture of what this week looked like.  I had a 5 month old outside about 5pm with a three-year old running laps in her yard.  And she wasn't wearing a coat.  She insisted to not wear anything.  In January!  And now she better not go out unless she has boots on....and maybe, a shovel.

Okay God, do you know that are lease is up soon? We have no idea where we will be living 4 months from now.... Jon is in search of a job.  Next week he has a job fair.  He's also throwing out the resume to places.  Will we be in Ames or somewhere else?  We have a place we love here in Ames that we would move to, but we won't know until end of April/May if there are openings.  However we are on the top of the list.  Three-bedroom apartment for $100 more than what we are spending on now for a one-bedroom.  I think yes. :)  The apartment is a dream! :)  Dream come true that is. :) But we won't know for a few months.  I'm a planner.  This is making my mind spin. Something I rarely have a problem with is faith in God.  I believe He can and will do anything.  I know He has the perfect plan for us.  A plan to stretch us, love us, and a place where we can glorify Him more! I'm just really bad at the part where... ."I...

So today marks the day! I take care of a 3 year old girl and 5 month old boy.  He turned 5 months today!! :) She is quite the silly girl.  Typical, three-year old spirit.  Everything a certain way.  She knows how things should be, right?  But you can't help but smile because she is too adorable and I love her laugh!  Her baby brother is quite the opposite.  Yes, he smiles.  He is happy all the time.  Even when his big sister gets too close.  He's got his sleeping schedule down and he loves to eat.  His favorites right now is when I sing to him and do actions with his arms and legs.  I love making him laugh!  During his big sister's nap time I love taking him downstairs to feed and cuddle him. :)  He is so easy going! Today started a new adventure.  A three-year old nap time that ends with a nap.  No matter what she must fall asleep or she can't leave her room.  She's been thinking it's okay to get ...

I love it when I get up earlier than Jon and look back at him and he has scooted over to use my pillow. I love it how I can just unpack things and lay cords on the bed and he'll plug them in to charge our stuff. I love it how he only wants to get gas at the cheapest possible place, and that means we're usually together traveling and I have only gotten gas as a married woman once. I love it how even when we are both tired and exhausted he can still get us laughing. I love it how we check back with each other on a conversation that "didn't go quite right." I love it how even though he's not a planner he's still okay with having anniversaries be special. I love it how he's careful with our budget. I love it how he's willing to massage my feet when I just can't stand the pain anymore. I love it how he's willing to get out of bed to get me protein when I'm feeling sick to my stomach. I love it how he lets me kiss him good-bye befor...

As I sit hear waiting to see updates and new blog posts from other people, and in the mean time you haven't gotten an update for about a month from us! But we have been a little busy and I have nearly zero to no amount of time on a computer these days.  After new years, Jon and I spent the next few days preparing for his last semester of school to start and for me to return back to work full-time.  I got nearly three weeks off.  So we spent the first week in January deep cleaning our apartment.  It was a HUGE relief. :)                                                     So much cleaner! :)                                                                  Right when you...

It's the first day off of my normal routine and my heart is already struggling.  I'm trying to figure things out that have been growing on my mind for the past 10 years!  I can't get it out of my head and days like today just give me more of a reason to keep it there.  Stuck.  In that part of the brain where it likes to stay and then randomly shoot off and drive you nuts. Today I felt both annoyed and painfully sad at my reactions.  I was so focused on making sure I could prove to myself, "I can do this!"  Look how well I am able to manage this!  In the mean time I didn't get a chance to engage really at all. Let me explain for those of you who can't read my mind. I've been watching everyone elses kids for 10 years.  I have showered them with love, adoration, energy, and well myself!  So that all of you parents could work, take a break, or whatever.  I've watched your kids in the following (for you one of these and some others in m...