Over a month later...

So it has been over a month since my last post. Well, the main reason for that is exhaustion. The reason for exhaustion is pregnancy. Yep...I am now 13 weeks pregnant and praying that the fatigue will subside SOON. Yesterday I took a walk pulling Aaron in the wagon, then he played in the park and our backyard. It really did me in. Wow...I can only image what the heat is going to do to me in the summer especially since I was always hot with Aaron and it was mostly winter when I was pregnant with him.

Really not much else going on except trying to keep up with a 2 year old and working for Mom. We went to Ohio for Aaron's birthday since Jeff's dad is on oxygen all the time. It was a long ride. Each time we stopped I felt like I couldn't walk because I was so stiff--side effect of pregnancy. Aaron got lots of toys and now my living room looks like it threw up a toy store. Many days I wish we lived in a one story and Aaron's room was big enough for all his toys. I know, one day I will have my living room back. But I do want it back now :-)

One month later...

So I am a little behind on posting. It has been a busy month preparing to go to Florida and then going. It was a short trip but lots of fun! Meseidy is married and though the weather was questionable the day of the wedding, it held out until late into the reception. So Meseidy had her beach wedding (yes, it was a little chilly). And we all had lots of fun. It was like Meseidy, Susan and I had just hung out the day before Susan and I arrived in FL. No missing a beat with us! So we celebrated joyously with Meseidy and Obed.

So what else it going on? I am exhausted! More on that at a later time but it seems the days fly by. Probably because I have to nap during the day which I don't like to do! It's ok, God will work it out and I will get done what he has planned for my day--with lots of prayer :-)

Aaron is talking more everyday. And keeping Jeff and me entertained. He doesn't sit still so that contributes to my exhaustion. It is about 8:15 a.m. and he is still sleeping, I think. At least I haven't heard "Mommy!" yet. He had a big day yesterday going to church, not wanting to nap, and then we went out for ice cream. He sat between me and Jeff and ate ice cream from both of us with his own spoon. All the way there he kept saying, "Ice cream with chocolate on it." Thanks to his daddy, he learned about chocolate early. That probably explains his running around when we got home. Oh, he runs around all the time!

Slow to keep up

OK, so I am not the best at blogging consistently. Maybe that will get better but for now, my infrequent postings will have to do. It seems that days just go by in a blur and I am trying to keep up. A question popped in my head today that startled me...may have come from the examination that tends to take place after attending a marriage conference. But not seemingly directly related, in a way it is. The question is how would people describe me? Since I can't answer that question, I asked how would I describe me? The first thoughts were exhausted and hurried. Yikes...I didn't like that at all. I would prefer content and joyful. I am still examining how to get there but it has given me something to ponder. I want contentment in all circumstances and joy to radiate in all directions. Even on those hurried days when I am exhausted and things are just out of sorts.

The only way I will ever achieve it is through God. I must take the first step and pray. Not a prayer of woes and complants but one of praise, thanksgiving, and asking for God to do his will. Oh--I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, joyfully keeping up!

A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

Wild Horse Broken

God gave me an image a couple of days ago of a wild horse being broken--trained to do what is desired of it. And that image stirred up the "wild horse" I was before God in his mercy saved me. I wasn't an easy horse to train and the training is far from over nor is it any easier now than in 2002. But what grace and mercy is evident in the training. God loves his children and is not harsh when gentleness will do but will use harshness when gentleness is not heeded. But the wild horse learns and heeds the direction of the trainer. A trainer may use rewards of food and praise. A trainer may also use the bit to lead and direct. God rewards us here. No, we do not receive full reward on this earth, that will be in heaven but look at the beauty and blessings God does give on earth. And God's bit is His word. There is no need to question what God desires for us because he has provided our "bit" to direct us. Oh, there will be doubt and questions, but our trainer is faithful to provide the answer and direction, in His perfect timeing. How thankful is this wild horse that her trainer chose her!

Will he sleep?

Will Aaron sleep seems to be the question this week. Not at night but during nap time. He has been in his crib for about 2 hours and 15 mins. and is not asleep yet. So, do I get him up since it is 3:30 now or wait for him to sleep and have to wake him up so he will go down tonight? Ugh--this has been a test for me. I must remember God is in control of all things, including when my son sleeps. I must say that he is not crying and I am able to get some work done, it is just in the back of my mind I think of having to cut his nap short if he does go to sleep and how grouchy he will be. On top of that, my neighbor is taking advantage of the 70 degree weather and using a weed eater or something of the loud sort. Ok, no more complaining--I think he is asleep so I will have to wake him up in a little while.

Did I mention the 70 degree weather? NICE!!!! Can I keep it? Once again--God in control, not Shelley! But it is so nice, the dog stays outside, Aaron can run around the yard and I have the windows open to air out from cleaning the carpets. Couldn't do all that in 40 degree temps. Thank you God for the taste of spring in January!

It is hard for me to remember God is in control of ALL things. It is so easy to take Aaron's naps and the weather for granted but God is the one that places all things in our lives. Wow--what a revelation. Now Lord, please help me to keep it in the forefront of my mind at all times during the day and to be thankful for all you send my way--including all the challenges of being a wife and mom!

Incomplete Conversations

So the hustle and bustle of the holidays has illuminated more than my tree. It has made me realize that I don't finish conversations. Not intentionally, just as a result of being mom to a 20 month old. Many times I have left gatherings wondering if I concluded a thought with anyone to which I spoke. And thinking, wow, that would have been a great conversation if my son wasn't about to pull my aunt's Christmas tree onto his head or screaming "side" (meaning "I want to go outside"). I vaguely remember what it is like to sit and have an adult conversation without interruption. Vaguely! And to my friends in far off distances--please know I love you but the interruptions carry over into phone conversations too! Can I call you at midnight :-) ? Oh how I long to catch up with you all--and am excited about that possibility coming in March at the Florida wedding of the year!

To the many I have not had a complete conversation with because I had to run after my son or he was tugging at me and my brain couldn't work in adult mode--please excuse the short conversations and maybe we can pick up where we left off...