Day 6 of 40

Have you ever noticed that when you commit to doing something it seems like extra things come up, the uncommon becomes more common, and you feel like someone is specifically trying to stop your efforts? In my case, the enemy probably is that someone, trying to stop efforts of fruit production for the Lord's kingdom. Miss O was up twice last night and Pumpkin climbed into bed with me before my alarm even went off. Yikes. Thankfully, Pumpkin fell back asleep and I slept a few minutes past my alarm. I did have a few sweet quiet minutes in my brown chair before all were up and ready to go. A few minutes but certainly not enough. No, my mind really wasn't renewed. I wasn't surrendered and ready to cling to the Lord all day. Its almost as if when I wake up in the morning I am covered with yucky sinful goop (yes, goop...in other words, myself and selfishness). If I don't purpose to have the Lord scrub that off each morning, I'm dragged down by it all day and sinful choices and actions result.

I did enjoy my children though more today. Thanks to a freezer meal, the last hour of the day before Mr. B got home (my least favorite hour), I was able to just play in Pumpkin's room with him and Taz. We spent some time outside this evening as well. How refreshing to just inhale the cool breeze!

6 days down, 34 to go!

Day 5 of 40

Its crazy to me that its already day 5! Day 5 of choosing self-discipline, choosing to do what's sometimes hard, not fun, not my first choice. Like this morning when I wanted to sleep in. I wanted to sleep in since Pumpkin was sick again through the night and we were up with him. But my own words came ringing through  my head...that I would get up and renew my mind with the Lord regardless of how my night of sleep went. I was extra thankful for my extra Panera coffee I had leftover from yesterday's breakfast date.

The weather was beautiful today which helped pull me outside for a run while everyone else was napping. Hard, but good. Good for my body and even better for my mind.

I didn't do a great job enjoying my children today...mainly due to my excessive attention toward planning Pumpkin's birthday. Tomorrow is a new day though. A new day to choose to enjoy them, love on them, play with them, laugh with them and just let them be who God made them to be.

By the Lord's gentle, yet firm, reminders, may I see them through His eyes, see their strengths, their gifts...to remember that they are their own person and they have been entrusted to me. I pray that tomorrow I will choose to be thankful, to love, and to live out the beautiful gospel and Word of Jesus.

Day 4 of 40

Yep, I was right - waking up at 7 am on a Saturday morning is NOT easy! Thankfully though the Lord woke me up a few minutes after as I realized my alarm on my phone was on silent. Oops! It was a nice quiet morning - that is for about 40 minutes. But I'll take it! One of my favorite things right now about waking up early is sitting in my recliner chair which is right next to the window and having the light from outside pour in over me. Its back to that time of year where I don't have to have a lamp on because its too dark inside. Nope, spring is around the corner and brighter mornings is just what I need to keep me awake.

There was no exercising today but I certainly enjoyed my family as my husband surprised me with a morning date....

We enjoyed each other's company as we shared a cup of some of our favorite Panera coffee. We were able to have this kid-free date thanks to an amazing godly couple who has been asking to babysit - can't turn that down folks! We came back to pick them up and found Pumpkin, of course, dressed up.

If you can't tell, he was in his element! All three kiddos did great for them which we were grateful to hear. The rest of the day held naps for all, an errand run for just Pumpkin and myself, a haircut for Pumpkin by daddy, and just laughing together.

Taz isn't feeling well and when I started to fear about his health, one of the verses I'm memorizing in this 40 day journey, came to mind and boy, did I cling to it..."When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust. I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4. Another reminder that God's word is sharper than any double-edged sword...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)...in my case, cutting away feelings that cover lies that steal my joy.

Our favorite line of the day was my Pumpkin..."Hey Mommy, this is where the police man came when you were going faster. We have rules about that!" Nothing slips past that boy.

Day 3 of 40

It was a bit harder this morning to pull myself up off the mattress but I finally did it. Its funny how in the moment, a five or ten minute snooze seems so necessary and yet, once I'm out of bed, I realize how insignificant that 5 or 10 minutes of sleep would be compared to 5 or 10 minutes in the living Word of God. I'm seeing that Pumpkin has an internal alarm clock set to 7:30 so I better be up and out by 7 if I want my quiet time. During Miss O's breakfast, I was able to pray for my children and my friends. Right now, two of my girlfriends and I are dedicating Friday mornings to pray for our children. 

Today's prayer for our kids: Godly friends and spouses someday

I'm thankful its all in the Lord's hand but how I pray that my children will guard their hearts, will have friendships with others who will encourage them and challenge them to be better people and followers of Christ, and to perhaps someday have Godly husbands or wives. 

Fridays are "chore day" so Noah picked up his room and helped me dust.

The boys had fun playing with their new water table...

I was so easily pulled to do other things, clean, laundry, tidy, etc. but I made sure to sit there for 10 minutes while we played pirates and shark chase. I had to let go of the water on the floor that of course was going outside of the towels laid down. I prayed that at the end of 40 days, I won't have to force myself to stop and play for 10 minutes but that instead, I would look forward to those moments without feeling pulled to other much less important things.

As my 40 days are quickly elapsing, so are my 29 days of exercise....which was enough motivation for me on this Friday night.

Oh yeah, Chalene and Turbo Jam! I definitely didn't finish the 45 minute workout but 20 minutes was good enough! 

Off to spend time with Mr. B...one of my favorite times of the day. Pray that tomorrow I'll have the self-discipline provided by the Lord to get myself out of bed early on a SATURDAY morning!

Day 2 of 40...in more detail

After 2 or 3 hours the immense burning pain at the tip of my right index finger finally subsided....leaving behind a nice white blister that still hurts every time I type those blasted middle-of-the-keyboard letters. Nevertheless, my 40 day journey continues. Yesterday, as I said yesterday, was a good day. I had a whole 30 minutes of quiet time, time in the Word, praying and journaling and it was wonderful. My days, at least the first half of the day, goes so much smoother when I've renewed my mind and surrendered myself to Jesus.

Pumpkin had preschool, but afterwards and after naps, came the sweetest part of my day. You can see why below.

If you look closely you'll see that I'm sitting with all three of them. At one point, Pumpkin had his arm wrapped around mine, Miss O was in my lap, and Taz and I were holding hands. I thanked God for such a blessing, for three sweet children, and for the privilege it is to be their mother.

Taz wanted me to keep reading this book we got from the library the night before. Cute book!
Miss O and I read a few books before bed...a habit I'm absolutely cherishing!
Mr. B and the boys spent an hour or so putting together Taz's Christmas gift from the grandparents while I worked on a matchcar toy track for the boys...and that's where the burnt finger comes in. Hot glue gun and I never seem to leave each other unscarred...but I guess its better than getting the sewing machine out.

I'll post later pics of the track.

Thank you Lord for one more day! 38 days left!

Day 2 of 40

Well, today was a good day.  Unfortunately though, I'll have to expound on its results tomorrow... assuming my right index finger heals from the hot glue gun burn I got while putting together a toy track for the kids.  There's major burnination right now.  Have a good night!

Day 1 of 40

So day one went well...

The boys did an awesome "room time" for almost an hour which meant I was able to sit with the Lord, pray, journal and soak in His word.

We made a cupcake kit and Noah enjoyed decorating his cupcake...

Micah had fun pushing poms into the cup...

Noah, Olivia and I read books this afternoon.
During Miss O's afternoon snack I was able to read, drink some tea and work on memorizing some verses.

Overall, good day one! Thank you Lord!