Strong Woman vs. Woman of Strength

When I decided to get back to blogging and to use it as my "journal" of sorts...one thing I wanted to make sure I included was a section that would help me to be better at setting time aside daily for personal Bible study. I think it is safe to say that many of us "plan" or have a goal to make time to read our Bible's daily...but in all honesty, I know for me...it doesn't always go as I plan. Even as much as I like things to be on a daily schedule and my lists to all be in order (yes, I am a major list maker)...sticking to an organized schedule hasn't been so easy over the last year.

I will admit that the majority of my reasoning behind doing this daily is to benefit me and improve the amount of time I spend reading and studying God's word and the principles found in it. I know that I have learned over the years that the best study method for me is writing and repeating the information I need to learn.

This section of my blog is strictly for growth. Spiritual growth, growth as a wife and mother, a daughter, a friend...however you want to apply it to your life. I won't claim that everything posted here will be a masterpiece...because it won't be. However, it will be a scripture, poem, or a thought that I came across in my own study and wanted to share with others.

Last night came across this poem in a book titled Worthy Women written by Mary Alice Wilhelm. She could not give credit to the original author because it was a poem that she had found somewhere on the internet.

I have read this book before and decided to start reading back through it again. I am sure I had read this poem before...but I guess I never really paid as much attention as I did last night.

Strong Woman vs. Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape...
but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...
but a woman of strength give the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman walks sure footedly...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...
but a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

I loved reading this poem and must admit that it made me a little emotional...but more than that it gave me a little kick in the pants...which I needed so badly! I plan on posting this somewhere in the house where I can read it DAILY to help me remember that strength does not come from myself but from God!

Happy Birthday Shane!

Happy Birthday to an awesome guy!
Thanks for being such a great husband and father!
We love you bunches!

It's been a long time coming...

but I am finally back to blogging. After a very long break...I am ready to tackle this again! I am forgetting too many important things and not keeping a very good record of all the things happening with my precious kiddos at this age. (That might have something to do with my age...but I didn't think memory loss was necessarily a problem when you are only 29)
Blogging helps me record a lot of moments....and acts as my journal....and one of the greatest benefits is that I can save everything I write about for many years to come. (This is thanks to my wonderful husband who remembers to always back up files and pictures on my laptop)
I also owe a HUGE thank you to Diana over at Custom Blog Designs. She worked with me and created this beautiful blog very much to my liking! She does beautiful work! Thanks again Diana!

I will be here...

Valentine's Day is past and gone for this year. Today I realized that I never even took the time on Sunday to tell my valentine how much he means to me everyday of the year! So I am dedicating this post to my wonderful husband and hoping that the lyrics to this song show him just how much I love him and treasure our marriage. I love you Shane!

Tomorrow morning
if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I, I will be here
If in the dark
we lose sight of love
hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I, I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning,
losing and trying
We'll be together, I will be here

Tomorrow morning
if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I, I will be here
As sure as seasons
are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here

I will be here,
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror
tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things
You are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the One
Who gave you to me

I, I will be here
And just as sure as seasons
are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here
We'll be together
I will be here

In Christ Alone

 

 

A good friend of mine brought a copy of the sheet music to several of us at church and wanted us to learn this beautiful song.  So we gave it a shot... I had no idea when I first saw the song.... how awesome the lyrics would be!  So beautiful!  Take the 5 minutes that it will take you and listen to it....and really absorb the message.  This should brighten your day and reset your focus about what is truly important.  Have a great afternoon!

Potty Training anyone?

How can it be that all my babies are growing up so fast?  This little precious boy is ready to head to the next step....one more step away from being my baby boy!  Yikes! 

Parker just came walking into me in the study diaperless and wondering what he should do?  Of course I quickly found the diaper that he had removed on his own and found a little surprise, and then on the potty I found another surprise, and he very quickly got a clean diaper from his Mama.  I couldn't help but chuckle and of course I praised him for wanting to go to the potty....but tried to explain that you only take the diaper off if Mama knows you are doing it. 

I guess it is time to start the potty training.  Any suggestions for boys?  It makes me nervous...and I have put it off so long because I guess I just don't want him to grow up yet.  But I know .... it IS time! 

Here is the even more funny part of the story from above....all morning the kids have been watching episodes of Jon and Kate plus 8.  Parker had been sitting watching an episode on Kate potty training the kids.....and when I missed him.....guess where I found him?  Who says kids don't pay attention?  He definitely was and he AIN'T no dummy!  :)

We're back! Life will get back to "normal"....right?

So, we finally got back home last night. Our plane landed in B'ham safely and we began the trip home. We had a FABULOUS time! We had such great FAMILY time! We tried not to worry about work, internet, phones, bills, whatever....and just tried to have fun and relax! We had a few obstacles....but what family vacation wouldn't have obstacles?

We are tired, but in a good way! Today, I have several things I could be doing....but I decided that since I have only two days left with the girls for Fall Break....who cares! We need to spend time together! I want to spend time with them....after reading my good friend Telah's blog this morning.....I had a few tears and re-focused a little.

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. Of course, there is much more to share a little later. Enjoy!

On the airplane....and the kids are just excited to be on the airplane for the first time. They keep asking....how are we going to get to school this morning? This is at about 6:45am....notice it is still dark outside.

The girls just opened their gifts and found out we are going to Disney World. More of that story later...

Had these shirts made for them to wear on the trip down to Disney.

Finally! We have arrived!

More later!