6 weeks and counting...

...Or something like that. Until Baby Girl's arrival!! Now that Christmas is over I've finally gotten busy getting things organized. Once Baby Girl outgrows the bassinet in our room and is mostly sleeping through the night, the two kids will be sharing a room until we move in the fall. So I've been busy organizing Eli's room--the dresser, closet, and toys (since we got more at Christmas). I wish I had some "before" pictures to show you of Eli's room and closet. But I'm pretty excited at how it's looking now! I was planning on buying a second dresser and just putting it in the closet, but at this time of year I was really looking to avoid making that purchase, and I came up with an even better solution! Eli will share the dresser and closet, so each child gets two drawers and half the closet. And for additional storage for burp cloths, bibs, towels, washcloths, and sheets I got a medium-sized plastic drawer system from Target. It's just the right amount of space and doesn't take up nearly as much of the closet. The bottom shelf of the changing table used to hold stacks of blankets, but I've moved those to a laundry basket in the closet and put toys (puzzles n such) on that shelf instead. And since I don't have a big dresser in the closet I was able to squeeze in a hamper for Baby Girl. (I'd like each person to have their own hamper and laundry day. Just makes things easier.) So now all that's really left is to move the rocking chair downstairs and find a toddler bed for in its place. But that can wait just a bit longer. Once we move the rocking chair out, we won't have nighttime snuggles with Eli, and I will really miss that. So for now we'll just enjoy it. I'm also working on sewing a quilt for Eli's new bed. He won't transition to that until a month or two after the baby, but I imagine I won't so much have time to sew then, so that's why I'm getting it done now. It gives me a project to work on during this long month of January anyway, as I'm sure I'll be getting quite antsy and restless as the due date approaches!

Newly organized closet with basket of blankets, storage drawers, and hamper.
Left side is for Eli, right side is for Baby Girl.
Toys on bottom shelf now.

The toddler bed will go where the chair and space heater are.

Just another room shot.
Notice the ABC wall hangings I made.

MY Goals for 2008

I already have my list of 101 Goals for 1001 Days, so I really didn't stop to think about what my goals were for 2008. But after stopping by a few blogs I realized that I DO have a few main things I want to work on about myself or do for myself.

During the year of 2008...

I want to really work on my patience. I've been having such a time with Eli, and it's really come to my attention how impatient I really am. And it wears me out so quickly and everything blows out of proportion and into something bigger, and it's such an awful example to Eli. So somehow I want to really work on being more patient. Being firm with him, yet not raising my voice or saying things out of anger. Every morning at breakfast I pray with Eli for joy, peace, patience, and self-control for the day so that I may glorify God in everything I do and say. But that's not enough, because it's not working.

I need to do more.

I need to get up in the morning before Eli for once so that I can spend time with the Lord--in the Word and in prayer. Prepare myself for the day. Prepare my heart. Instead of just diving in head first with no preparation, still feeling groggy and having had no time for "myself" yet. So getting up and having "quiet time" first thing in the morning is something I really want and need to do.

I've been saying this for more than a year now and it's never really happened. I am not a morning person. I am tired. I remember the time when Eli was still not yet sleeping through the night and I was getting up every hour to put his darn pacifier back in his mouth. And I remember thinking "Right now my body just needs the rest. But once Eli is sleeping through the night, I'll start getting up earlier in the morning." Ha! That was a YEAR AGO, and look at me! Now we have ANOTHER baby coming and that's going to start all over again! So I need to give up on all the excuses and just do what I need to do! Such a practice of spiritual discipline, wow. It's hard. BUT this year I am going to do it!

So that's two things... 1) Work on patience--no raising voice, no bad words, no actions out of anger. And 2) Start my mornings with "quiet time".

And a third thing is a hobby thing that really needs to get tackled. It's been at a standstill since Eli was born, and now he's almost 18 months old! I need to figure out what I am going to do with my scrapbooking. Am I going to convert to digital scrapbooking? Or am I going to finish out with paper scrapbooking? And how am I going to get caught up on our family photo album, as there are still NO pictures in there from since Eli was born! Ack! I really need to get to work on that!

Those are the three biggest things I'm challenging myself to for 2008, though I still have a whole list of things I'll be working on too.... setting date nights with Kevin (even if they're at home), doing daily devotions as a couple (I found THIS BOOK, ordered it today, and can't wait to see what it's like!!), establishing daily Bible time with children, and finding a workout routine that I enjoy (this would be a miracle, haha).

So those are my biggest goals for the year. If you have any advice or tips that might help things along, do share! Blessings on your year!

Weekly Memory Verse

~*~
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.
~*~

Last week's verse:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and grace
to help us in our time of need.

If you want to join me this week in memorizing James 4:10, sign your name below! May it be a blessing to your life!

Pray continually. (1 Thes. 5:16)

Just had to share a cute thing Eli does now. Starting at Aunt Carri's house on vacation, Eli likes to hold hands during meal time prayers. As soon as we sit down at the table and say, "Okay, let's pray" he holds out his hands, one towards me and one towards Daddy. Even with his plate of food right there in front of him, he actually sits quietly and patiently through the prayer. And then sometimes 2 or 3 times during the middle of dinner he'll hold out his hands again, so every time we'll stop and say another 1 or 2 sentence prayer, and then continue on. And NOW in the last couple days I've noticed that he'll bow his head and try to close his eyes like we do. Except he doesn't know how to close his eyes like that so he bows his head and squints and blinks hard all at the same time. It's soooo cute, and I wish I could somehow capture it! But for now I'll just lock it away in my heart!

Toddler Update

Things have been going much better with Eli lately. With Kevin home during "holiday stand down" we've been able to just spend a lot of time with him. And we've settled into the rules for the couch and chairs since Eli can now climb up onto them. It's always hard when there's something new, but it's gotten a lot better. He's still having several "episodes" a day though--him fussing for something he can "sign" for. Or having a fit at meal times when he's eating something different from what we're eating. But I'm not giving in, so hopefully it'll soon pass. It's still quite exhausting but SO MUCH BETTER than two weeks ago! Thanks for your comments and prayers! I really appreciated it!

Menu Plan Monday - Dec. 31

I was reading in the Woman's Day magazine I got in my Christmas stocking and it offered this tip for cutting back on grocery expenses: Double the time between your grocery shopping trips, then stick to this schedule like glue. If you currently buy groceries twice a week, stretch it to once weekly. If you usually shop weekly, hold out for two weeks. If you normally spend around $100 a week, you won't spend $200 for two weeks. It will probably be more like $150.

I have a hard enough time planning a menu for just one week, BUT I'm going to try doing TWO weeks this time to see if this tip helps. It's guaranteed I'll be back to the store before two weeks is up. But for milk and produce items only, hopefully! Soo... here we go!

Dec. 31-Jan. 6
Monday - reuben sandwiches (finishing off Christmas corned beef)
Tuesday - best-ever meat loaf, cauliflower, apples
Wednesday - ham n white sauce over rice
Thursday - soup
Friday - bagels
Saturday - south-of-the-border enchiladas, oranges
Sunday - day off

Jan. 7-13
Monday - broccoli sausage breakfast bake
Tuesday - goulash, garlic bread, salad
Wednesday - sandwiches
Thursday - appetizer nite- summer sausage and crackers, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip
Friday - tacos, peaches
Saturday - celebrating 3 yr anniversary!
Sunday - day off

Dessert of the week: fruit custard (new recipe! I'll post it if it's good)

Family Focus Friday: Goals

With the end of the year rapidly approaching and a new year dawning, I thought I'd talk about GOALS this week and what goals we set for our family and children. A couple months ago I created a list of 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days and from that list, here are my family goals:

1. Finish reading A Mom After God's Own Heart. completed 11/1/07
2. Finish reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart.
3. Read/print all of “Raising Godly Tomatoes”. completed 11/27/07
4. Read Babywise.
5. Read Bringing Up Boys.
6. Finish watching parenting video and take notes.
7. Read a book to children every day.
8. Plan one fun family activity every week for 1 month.
9. Take vacation to Colorado.
10. Get new family photo.
11. Go to Vermont.
12. Go to Long Island.
13. Go camping.
14. Find play group for Eli.
15. Go an entire month without any TV.
16. Establish special time with each child daily.
17. Create list of specific rules for Eli. (will help us be consistent)
18. Go 24 hrs without computer.

And to that list I would add:
19. Create set "Bible time" with children.
20. Volunteer somewhere or do something for a neighbor as a family.

It's a good mix of parental goals, fun goals, and family challenges (no TV). But above all we always seek to achieve Biblical goals such as these:
* Salvation for children.
* For children to have the ability to live in fellowship with God to support daily growth in the spiritual life.
* For your children to have inner happiness, the peace of God that passes understanding, and great inner joy that doesn't depend on the details of life.
* For your children to have respect for authority.
* Teaching your children about the production of divine good, the lifelong production of "gold, silver, and precious stones" rather than "wood, hay and stubble". (this includes a life of witnessing)

I'm all about having lists of goals. Long-term goals, short-term goals. I love lists, and setting goals focuses your life on having purpose and being productive with the time and gifts God has given us.

So what are your goals for your family this year? And what do you do to teach goal-setting to your children?



Previous Family Focus topics: (it's never too late to comment)
* Jesus vs. Santa
* 12 Days of Christmas
* Preparing for Christmas
* Thanksgiving
* Bible Reading
* Fun Fall Activities
* Nutrition
* Meal Times
* Halloween
* Your Neighbors
* Family Worship
* TV Time

Our Christmas

Thought I'd take a little time to share about our Christmas celebrations the last two days. My Christmas Eve plans were to read the Christmas story from the Bible by the tree at Eli's bedtime, sing some carols by the piano, put Eli to bed, and then watch The Nativity Story movie. Those were the plans. BUT Eli is a toddler. He does not know how to sit still well, except up in the rocking chair in his room at bedtime. So bringing him downstairs by the tree threw things off and he didn't want to sit still for the Bible reading. And he was about equally excited about the carols. We ended up giving up in the middle of the songs and just putting him to bed. Kevin and I watched The Nativity Story, and it was very good and we've already recommended it to our families. It was a good Christmas Eve but not quite what I had imagined. Is it ever?

Christmas Day we got up around 7:00am. I got the breakfast coffee cake going and then we opened stockings. We ate breakfast, cleaned up, then opened presents. Eli had a great time and actually seemed to understand the idea of unwrapping something to see what was inside. He was a great helper. And his favorite toys are his new tool set (first tool set!) and magnetic farm set for the fridge. The rest of the day we just hung around the house, relaxing. It was a quiet day. I actually wasn't feeling the best so it was good to not have a busy schedule. For Christmas dinner we had corned beef, cheesy broccoli, rolls, and fruit salad. 'Twas yummy! =)

Okay, so there's not much to tell about our Christmas, but I thought I'd share anyway in case you were wondering. Now here are a few pictures... Enjoy!

The boys helping in the kitchen while I was making the coffee cake. We got out the old baby carrier just to see what Eli would think of it, even though he's way too big now at 17 months! And surprisingly, he liked it! He sure does like being a part of everything! =)
Eli sitting in his new big-boy chair, opening his stocking.
Opening presents...
Loving the new chair--when he sits in it we say "Yay!" and he claps.

Weekly Memory Verse

We got back from vacation last Tuesday and I had full intentions to still post a memory verse for Wednesday, but I completely forgot! Sorry about that! We'll get back to it this week, and if you're still busy with the holidays, don't worry about it. Just join in whenever you're ready! This week's verse...

~*~

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
~*~

Review:

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in father as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us consider how may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together--as some are in the habit of doing--but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praie you, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify your name forever.

Joshua 1:8 Do not let the word of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so you will be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts toward God.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by a renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old is will not depart from it.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Matthew 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord--be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me, since you know you will receive an inheritence from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

If you'd like to join me this week in memorizing Hebrews 4:16, sign your name below. May it be a blessing to your life!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, dear friends!