Contentment

I've been struggling lately to find peace.
Partly because I feel unsettled with some changes we are making.
Partly because some changes are happening that are not in my control.
Partly because last week I struggled hard to do my bible studies.
This week is somewhat better.
I am however still struggling with letting go.
Letting Him in fully.
Fighting for that control I know I really shouldn't have in the first place.

Than I stumbled across this old post I had wrote but never published and I thought how apt it is for what I need right now.
It's about how I find contentment in the middle of chaos.



Sometimes contentment can be a struggle.

Especially when you are looking for it in the wrong places.

Contentment for me means spending time with HIM!!
It means spending time with my handsome hubby and wonderful children.
Family, friends, pets, peace.

One thing I really noticed is the more I grew closer to the Lord, the more happier, contented and at peace I grew. Funny how those things go hand in hand. lol

Today I thought I would show you some of the places where I can find peace.

This kitty that loves to cuddle ALL THE TIME!! Wherever I am in the house she always wants to climb into my lap for a snuggle even when I am working.

My crazy sisters.

I have two more that aren't in this pic as they weren't there for the weekend. But love having the family time.

This sign that said above crazy sister gave us for house warming gift.

Pretty much sums us up. LOL

My girlie and her puppy.

Heading to the vet for the first time. There is a post soon to be up regarding that. 

This incredibly handsome man that I was fortunate enough to snag off of the market when we were virtually babies.

Here he is helping me add some color to our house. Also a post on that coming soon.

The ability to laugh at myself. To be myself and to love myself.

Love my elmo onsie that my handsome hubby gave me for Christmas.

How do you find contentment?
Do you ever struggle with this? Please tell me I am not the only one. :)
When you find yourself struggling do you know why??

Reflecting on the most world changing 3 days ever

I've been doing this bible study called The Story of Easter.

Yesterday I was asked to meditate on what 'broken and poured out' looks like. 

They used the communion... His body broken for us and His blood poured out for us. 

So what does it look like/mean for us to be this way???

As I was thinking about it I was wondering what does that look like? How can I be this way so that I may give glory to Him? 

I even posted it on my Facebook page asking for some input in what it looked like. 

My friend/fellow blogger Carla tweeted me this "the word 'surrendered' comes to mind".
Man I love that lady!!! 

I love that look on it. 

Then I started thinking about my take on it during my prayer. 

This is one line in my prayer last night...

"Lord help me, show me, use me, mould me, strengthen me, break me. All for You Lord"

As I reflected more on that I realized I need to be broken.

I need to be humbled. 

I need to let go and give it ALL up. 

ALL my control. 

ALL my weakness. 

EVERYTHING!! 

In order to give Him ANYTHING. 

I'm nothing if I still try to hold on to control. 

I need to let go of ALL things in order for Him to be EVERYTHING!! 

As Carla worded it I need to be surrendered. 

So today as I reflect on just exactly all that Jesus gave up for me I realize just exactly what I NEED to give up for Him. After all He gave me His Life!!!!!!!

Appreciation comes in many forms

So in the craziness of my life lately I wrote this post to publish on Thursday and completely forgot to publish it. However it still so completely applies. 

So here on an amazing Sunday after a great weekend with my handsome hubby is my Thankful Thursday post...

I am learning the more thankful I am, the happier I am, which in turns makes me more thankful, which in turns makes me happier, which in turn... You can see the pattern here. :)

So although this week isn't exactly how I would have planned it, I know I need to remember to enjoy what I do have.

I have an incredibly beautiful daughter inside and out. Whom just turn 16 yesterday. Her dad was home with us which is a gift all in itself and her and I were able to spend a good chunk of the day together just us, laughing, bonding, and SHOPPING! lol The best part is that she choose to still attend youth group in the evening. LOVE IT!!

I am thankful that the weather has been amazing and I have been getting out for walks. Sometimes my daughter joins me and sometimes I get my handsome hubby, but always I have this cutie pie to keep me company.

She cracks me up as she plays in the snow.

I am thankful that I am renewing my love for this space here in the cyber world. It may not be much but it is a place I am loving coming to and sharing my thoughts and day. Thank you so much for joining me here. Also remember I am always up for a visit. :)

I am thankful that I have a wonderful caring handsome hubby that works so hard for us. He always puts himself last and makes sure we know that we are loved. He is great at taking care of us. 

I am also so thankful for my bible study's. I love digging deeper into His Word and growing closer to Him.

Hello Monday

After a crazy week I am so looking forward to this week.
Although sadly I will be attending another funeral of a beloved family member. This time my Uncle (my Mom's brother) passed away. These while never easy are unfortunately becoming my new reality.
However I have much to look forward to this week and so I shall.

Hello hubby coming home tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you tell I am excited? lol

Hello spring like temperatures.

Even our puppy is super excited that it is warmer outside so she can get out there and play.

Hello exercise.

 With the warmer temps my girlie and I have been getting out and walking two hours each day. Here's to hoping we can keep this up.

Hello sewing.

Since I clean up and organized my office/craft room last week, I decided to start sewing again. Oh my how I have missed it.

And speaking of cleaning up and organizing...
Hello organization!

I have been busy getting my office organized and reorganizing my blog planner and school planner.

I am linking up today with beautiful Lisa. Pop over and spread some Hello Morning around.

Reviewing my week

Wow what a week it's been.

Monday found us saying good bye to hubby a day early. That is never fun, but knowing he is not gone for a long time helps.
I also thought I would try a new way to start my week. Hello Monday is about being thankful and welcoming the week ahead with all it's issues that might occur.

Monday also brought A new awakening. I talked about my journey and how I need to refresh.

Tuesday found me reflecting on My Niche. Trying to decide why I blog here and what I should be writing about.

Lent started and with that I started a new challenge. Since I am so not a morning person it has been an challenge alright.

Yesterday found me thankful again.
I'm learning that I need to be more thankful in the little things to be thankful period.

All that and I have been working hard on my 3 in 30 goals this week as well.

I also thought for something fun I would show you my instagram pics from the week.
For those that follow me on there these will be old news, but those of you don't well what are you waiting for? hahaha
Here is a teaser of what you will see. :)

My crazy kitty

Love, Love, Love this saying. I want to post it up in our living room,

Proof that I really did/am setting my alarm at that time. Ugh sleep I miss you.

More boxes unpacked. Love seeing this as much as I loved first seeing them packed. LOL

And that my friends is a quick review of my week. I hope you all enjoyed your visit here and I am so looking forward to many more. Have a great weekend!!!

"In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy Name." Psalm 33:21

Learning to find Thankfulness

Sometimes life gets really messy and all a mom wants to do is crawl back into bed, pull the covers over her head and whimper softly until she falls asleep. Can anyone else relate???
No?? It's just me then? Haha

I've been working on the past year on finding thankfulness even when I have no desire to be thankful.
The funny part is the more I find thankfulness, the more I feel it, The more I feel it, the easier it is to find. You can see how this cycle goes. :)

So today on this snowy Thursday I am finding thankfulness in some ordinary ways.

I am thankful it's March.

Isn't he/she a cutie?

Since we have now flipped the calendar onto March that means we are so much closer until spring. Although we haven't had the tons of snow that everyone else has we have had a brutally cold winter and I am so looking forward to getting out and playing in the yard.

I am thankful for these posters. Which in turns makes me thankful for a cyper friendship turned real life one. 

I saw these posters in a educational store in the city when my friend Marie invited me on a weekend away. They are so beautiful.

You really need to check out her blog My cup runneth over. I love her embrace of real life, and how she puts God foremost in their lives. 

Marie thanks for having me that weekend. I had a blast getting to know you better and look forward to many more mommy play dates. :)

I am thankful for empty boxes. 

Empty boxes means we are becoming more and more settled in. Yesterday I managed another 8. It is a slow process and I am finding so much more that we can live without.

I am so thankful that my handsome husband is on track with me wanting to purge. He completely agrees that we have WAY to much stuff.

I am thankful for God's glory and the way He sends me little things to remind me. Such as these beautiful flowers. 

I am linking up today with Aurie. Come hop over and share some thankfulness of your own.

Hello Monday

So I was reading Aurie's post today and I thought what a great way to start the week off with a good attitude.
So here it goes...

Hello FaceTime. 

My handsome hubby had to go back to work a day early this week so that means I get to spend every night before I head to sleep talking to him like this. 

Hello spring. Ok I might be a bit premature on this but after -52C I'm more than ready for spring. 

Hello organized office. 

This is my goal for the week. I need to be able to have this organized completely by the time hubby gets back home. One week. Manageable?

Hello Lent. 

Wow that time of year again. Although we are not Catholic my girlie and I still participate in this each year. The last few years have been very successful. This year I'm giving up sleep. Every weekday I'm setting my alarm for 6:30 so that I can spend more time focusing on His Word. 

The sleep thing for me is huge. 

Hello working washing machine. 

After a hose sprung a leak this weekend. It's back in full operating mode and working hard today. 

Hello peace. 

I am feeling so rejuvenated and peaceful. Loving the reconnection.

I'm linking up today with Ms Lisa. Come and join us.

I am so happy, so happy so happy. :)

It was a great day! I accomplished everything but one that was on my list today and even two things that were not on the list I manage to squeeze in.
My girlie and I made homemade cinnamon buns and let me say YUMMY!!! I cleaned and organized and threw tons of stuff away. Can I hear a OH YEA!! for decluttering. That has been my goal this summer. Declutter and reorganize. Hopefully I can stay motivated.

But the real reason I am so happy is...
Wait for it...
Are you ready???


I finally made contact with the social services adoption lady! She is coming out to meet us next Thursday which by the way is my middles 18th birthday! ( maybe a sign?? hahaha)
So since she was coming out I thought it was time we told our youngest our plan. I had held off telling her for awhile cause lets be honest it is awful hard to keep a secret that you might be getting new siblings and we just don't want everyone to know yet. Yes I know I am writing it on here and this is a public blog but lets face it who really reads this but my handsome hubby and he knows all this stuff already. Wow how I can ramble, anywhoooo Rob and I talked and it was agreed on that I would tell her. She was so excited. Right away she put in the order for a baby sister. I told her that it doesn't quite work that way. She really didn't seem to mind. She wanted to know if she was going to be a babysitter, I told her yes sometimes she would be. She then asked if she would get paid, I informed her no she would not be. She tried to haggle but I informed her that in this household we don't get paid to look after family.
All this makes me so happy!! It is FINALLY getting started. Someday when I have more time and energy I will write a post telling you all how we came to this decision but for now...Well you read about all I did do today right? So I am a little tired and tomorrow is Card making day for Sarah and I in town. So early morning as I want to do my devotions before we leave the house by 8:30. 
So night night everyone.

PS so happy!!!

What a bea u tiful day!!!!!!

What a fantastic day!!! Ok ok the start was not great, just can't seem to get up in the mornings, must be something to do with the fact that I am having a terrible time falling asleep. But I am trying to get to bed earlier every night so hopefully I can get back on a normal schedule.

Ok so now back to my great day. I did it!!! Its official!!! I signed Sarah up for homeschooling today!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!! : D. I think she is too but also a little nervous which I am as well. But yea yea yea!!!!! So in saying that as I went to go and grab her last years report card and birth certificate to register her today I could not find either and had to go without them. So I decided that after I dropped S off ( she went swimming and hanging with a friend today) I would go home and work work work on organizing my office. And...Voila...IT'S DONE!!!!!!!

Ok so maybe not Done done but so close I can taste it. I cleaned out the big filing cabinet that I never use except to store junk into and moved it into the school/craft room where it will be much more useful storing school supplies and scrapbooking stuff. Then cleaned out the desk and my little filing cabinet and threw away a couple garbage bags of junk and reorganized it better so it shall be more useful and then...wait for it...are you ready???

I started my very own FCS (filing crate system) I am soooooo pumped about this. Now in my dream world I would have fancy folders and corrospond them for the months and weeks but...I dont live in my dream world. My reality is that I had some new file folders that I had not used up and some that I could recyle so my and my trusty labeler got busy this afternooon and now I have a start to my own fcs. I unfortuately did not fully think this through and never got a grate or something to hold my files in so for now they are stacked neatly up on my desk so my desk still pretty much looks the same but... I have my very own fcs. Can you tell that I am a little pumped up about this? I even have some stuff in them such as my pumpkin stencils in the Sept/Oct file and the snowman soup and cake in the mug labels and recipes in the Nov/Dec files. March/April holds some accounting advice and my St Pattys sash. Things like that. Plus my next weeks file is starting to look full but I am really excited about putting it all into practice. And then maybe just maybe we can get a bit more organized, Something I think we are really going to need with S homeschooling, dance, gymnastics and youth this year.

Well since I did all that today my house looks like a tornado hit it so gonna clean tomorrow and then church and maybe golfing on Sunday. And then monday I get to tackle organizing the school/craft room.

I love it!!!!! Plus after all that I get the huge reward of hubby coming home on tuesday. I love my life!!! God is amazing!!!!!

Night ya all.