October Musings

I realized that it has been a while since I shared a more personal update. Here are a few of my musings as of late:

* My baby is 19 months old. I will continue to call her "baby" until/if God sees fit to send us another blessing. For now, I am just relishing this toddler stage. She comes up with new words every day, and is growing way too fast. It is a joy to see how much her older siblings love watching each new phase as well. We are all quite smitten by Olivia Grace.

* My favorite snack, as of late are pitted dates. They are so sweet and healthy. They even help me when I am craving something like chocolate. I need to keep plenty of them on hand.

* Speaking of dates, I would love a date night with my hubby. Having four younger children, we hardly ever go out just the two of us, and we have gotten used to "date" nights at home. But we both really want to see the movie Courageous , while it is in the theater. We love supporting Sherwood Baptist Church's movie-making ministry. It is the only time we are willing to pay full price for movie theater tickets. It feels much more like supporting a ministry rather than just watching a flick.

* We have been so sick. I really hope we are getting over it. I didn't have a voice for 4 days, which is very challenging, especially as a mother to little ones. I am so thankful to have my voice back, and I hope I will never take it for granted, again. One of my daughters keeps getting a stomach bug. I hope all of this illness will be gone for good soon.

* While I was sick, someone broke into my van and stole my GPS. I am so thankful that it wasn't worse, but it really is frustrating that someone keeps stealing our stuff. I really felt like my GPS was my brain when I travel, and I really miss it.

* Since my house was broken into in June, and now my van, I am starting to understand Matthew 6:19-21,

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt , and where thieves break through and steal : But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where thieves do not break through nor steal :  For where your treasure is , there will your heart be also "
  
Every earthly good we have on this earth is so fleeting. 


* Speaking of treasure in heaven, I was so blessed to read how this woman graciously spent her birthday blessing others. She taught her children volumes simply by including them in her gracious giving.


*One thing that I am so thankful for is that God recently answered "no" to two of my prayers. Over the past couple of months, we found two dream homes at dream prices. Both homes were foreclosures, and were in good condition. One house was 2500 sq. feet and had 5 acres.  This was an absolute dream to me, as my hubby and I would love to have a simple homestead, one day. We only felt comfortable to bid up to a certain point because we still have to pay on our current home until it sells. We were outbid and lost that home. Then, a couple months later, we bid on another lovely home on about an acre. Once again, we were outbid. At the time, I was so upset that we lost both homes. But now, considering the economy, I am very, very, very grateful that I don't have two house payments. Our current plan is to save diligently, continue paying off our current house, and to sell our home before bidding on any others. The waiting period until we sell may even be a few years. It would have been so stressful for us to sell our house quickly, when most houses in my neighborhood aren't selling as swiftly as they had in the past. I am so thankful that God protected us from what could have been very taxing to us monetarily.


I would love to hear how you and your families are doing! Blessings, friends!