Lowering my net

Alright, Lord.  We are back here again.  I am prying my right fist open with my left hand.  I am letting go of my rules, my research, my restrictions, my "couldn't possiblies."  I am using the knowledge you have provided and the conviction you helped me find while rummaging through all of my books trying to find something totally different from what I actually found.  I adore your whispers to my heart.  But I must say, the blinking neon sign sure doesn't leave room for me to argue my way out of this. 

 

Where has my focus been?  How many books on this topic do I own rather than books on how to develop my relationship with you?  How much time have I devoted to finding a "cure" for my issue?  A way to extract this thorn I've been limping around with for so long?  And how much progress have I actually made on my own terms?  Lord, forgive me for not seeking you first!  But we have been here before, haven't we?

 

In February I quit a very well paying job that provided much of our disposable income and took a position that did not need a college degree.  Didn't need all the experience I had in corporate America.  God impressed on my heart to circle the wagons and refocus on my family and home.  Did I still need to work to help provide for my family?  You betcha.  But chasing after my own selfish ambitions was not something he wanted for me.  He showed me very clearly as my health declined, my sanity flew the coop and my family suffered. 

 

The World yelled out, "This makes no sense!  How can you be what your family needs by cutting your income in half?  You are making a huge mistake!  You went to college for nothing!  Your parents worked 4 jobs and paid for your degree and you are throwing it all away!"

 

 

 

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.  But, because you say so, I will let down the nets." 

 

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them.

 

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:5-7 & 11

 

 

What would have happened if Peter had not chosen to obey?  What if he had listened to what the World said made sense?  That they couldn't possibly catch any fish, after they had worked all night and not caught any.  These were seasoned fishermen, they knew how to do their job well.

 

But instead, Peter chose to obey.  Not because it made sense.  He obeyed just because Jesus said so.  And he went on to become the Rock of the new church.  How amazing!

 

 

I lowered my net in February and we have been so blessed because of it! 

 

So here we are again.  You are asking me to again, lower my net.  To give up the way I have been trying to solve an issue and to trust you've got it.  To truly seek you first.  To work on really getting to know you, my heavenly Father, my Blessed Redeemer, my Lord forever.  To let go of my control and to refocus my energy and my passion to learning more about YOU.

 

Here goes everything...

 

 

But seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

Responsibility Tracker

We have been trying to institute some responsibility in regards to the boys helping around the house.  With the country going the way its going (completely backwards and upside-down, in case you haven't watched the news) there are two things I want my boys to "get" and "get" early!  One is personal responsibility.  You have things you need to contribute to be a part of this household.  You are responsible to do your tasks.  You.  The second concept I'm trying to ingrain into their brains is working for money.  That's something this country has completely forgotten.  If you work, you get paid.  If you choose not to work, you do not get money.  Work = money.  No one will get an allowance in this house.  You don't get money for simply existing here.  No sir.

 

I saw this clothespin chore chart on this blog (one of my most favorite blogs to read).  Ashley Ann is a very real Mom raising 5 kids.  Her blog is a breath of fresh air for me.  Even though I love me some fashion tips and beautiful party pictures, I definitely struggle with balance sometimes and Ashley's photography of her family, and finding the little things as things worth capturing via camera, is so good for my soul.  I have captured many of my favorite photos of the kids by following her lead and not necessarily waiting until everyone is looking at the camera and smiling (cause that almost never happens!).  Thanks, Ashley for the idea of the clothespin chart!

 

I needed to make mine out of materials I already had.  Sherpa-lined hoodies took over my budget this month.  So I took an old blue  5X7 photo mat, some white cardstock, printed letters off of Google and added my clothespins.  I painted them, green for B, yellow for Ty and the unpainted ones are commission tasks.  They can each choose to make commission by doing one of the tasks on the unpainted clothespins.  They can choose to do none of the commission tasks and make... listen up US Government, NOTHING. 

 

 

I hung my little project on the fridge with the last piece of my favorite ribbon. Everything is put together with masking tape on the back.  The boys move the clothespins to the top of the chart when the task is completed.

 

 

We'll see how it goes.  The toughest part of these kinds of plans is me enforcing them consistently.  I'm really going to try.  Hopefully I won't try to overdue.  The list of tasks was edited at least twice.  Ha!  KISS - Keep It Simple Silly.

 

B is also going to be packing his own lunches this year.  This Mama is not stressing about it this year. - she says easily before school has hardly started - I put this sign on the fridge to help him choose a balanced meal.  I'm hoping this will help him learn what types of foods qualify for balance and help his body get strong and stay fast.

 

 

Wish me luck!  Hoping to make it through at least one week of follow through!

Launch Day

 

We are down to the last day before school starts, people!  I am trying to soak in as much fun as possible with my little almost preschooler and almost 2nd grader.  B will be a senior at his school this year since it only goes through second grade.  Time is just flying by and I want to hit a pause button somewhere!

 

 

I know a lot of mamas have a tough time with the infant/baby stage.  They wish for the easier days when the kids are a little more independent and not waking up all night.  I am not that mama.  I loved the baby stage!  And yes, I even loved getting up with them in the middle of the night and snuggling in the rocking chair all alone in the quiet.  If money were no object and this body would cooperate, I'd have another one... or two (sorry J!). 

 

 

Maybe its because I'm away from them so much during the day.  Those times at night was just a little more time I got to hang out with them and gaze at their little faces.  I didn't mind one bit.  So this growing up thing is tough for me!  I know I will enjoy watching them become the little men God wants them to be, but its just all going to quickly for this mama! 

 

 

But my Mama gave me some great advice a little while ago.  Even if I had one... or two more, the baby stage would eventually have to come to an end.  Somewhere along the line, I need to let go and close that door and enjoy watching my little ones grow up.  So I'm trying my best, with God's help!

 

 

We had a ton of fun this weekend in the pool.  One last hurray before pulling the plug and looking forward to colorful Virginia leaves, boots and scarves, Honey Crisp Apples and Pumpkin bread.  I love fall!  Its my favorite!  The changing of the seasons isn't much different than the changing stages of my boys.  I love my pool.  Love my colorful umbrella up on my picnic table.  Love beach towels hanging from my deck posts to dry.  Love goggle marks on B's eyes after wearing them all day.  Love picking veggies out of my garden.

 

 

 

 

But fall.  Wow!  I love how God shows off His glory in those Virginia trees!  I love fires in the backyard fire pit and roasting marshmallows in the crisp evenings.  Love my little boys in jackets playing football.  Love the rows and rows of mums I see not even peaking out blooms yet at the nurseries.  Love turning on the heat in my car, just on my feet, while still having the window down to feel the breeze.

 

 

 

 

I can have great memories of summer, all the while enjoying my fall.  The changing of the seasons will happen whether or not I feel I'm ready.  Like the weather, I need to accept this with my boys and thank God for showing His glory and just enjoy the next season.  (even if I have to pray through it to get my heart in order!)  God's glory is in each season.  I just have to choose to see it!