Serenity

Serenity
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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Gods works with Pinterest & Facebook

Isaiah 40:31
"But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

This is a verse that has come to mind a lot this last week. There is so much going on and as far as the Hello Morning challenge...I haven't really done much towards it to be completely honest. I did walk and I have been in the Word but haven't made it a point to get up early or such.

Here is what God has opened my heart to this last week....

Hubby and I have basically been in a rough patch for the last 2 years. We made a move that looked like, sounded like, and felt like the best thing for us and our future. As it often happens, we quickly discovered it was not. And we have been trying to get out of that hole ever since. 

We've been married a year in April and we are both stubborn and independent people. This week, on Pinterest, I found a couple websites that list "100+ things to do with your husband" lists. And it doesn't include watching TV. I posted those to Facebook and asked my husband to list his top six favorites off both lists. He then turned around and asked me to list my top five. We listed different ones so together we have 22 different things we can do together and in our marriage. 

Something changed that night between us. Suddenly, I realized that I had not been letting him or encouraging him to be the head of our home. I said I was, but I really wasn't. Suddenly, it was more important to ultimately let him make the final decision on matters and for me to support that decision. We agreed that it is important for us to discuss my opinion/thoughts on the matter, but for the big things in our life (such as a move), he had the final say. We agreed that little things, (such as how to organize the closet) are more my ultimate decision. Again, we agreed that we can lay each of our opinions on the matter out on the table. 

I don't know exactly what it was, or how it came about, but this week I feel like my marriage became stronger, our love became deeper, and our bond became stronger. 

What does this have to do with the verse at the beginning? I think it is because I have begun to get back into the Word that God is allowing that to strengthen our marriage/relationship. 

God works in mysterious ways....but apparently, He also works through Pinterest and Facebook! ;) 

JR

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Baby Talk

My baby girl is almost 9.5 weeks old!! 
How did that happen?!?

We have completely grown out of newborn size clothes and diapers. It makes me a little sad to accept that fact! She sleeps in her crib for most of her naps and at night. Recently, she has begun to reach for and grab toys!! I have been trying to get her to do this for weeks so for me this is so exciting!! She loves, loves, loves music!! In the mornings, when we cuddle in my bed, I will play a few of the music videos (sofia the first, winnie the pooh, etc) for her and she is entranced! Many times she will "dance" to the music! She is a very happy baby...almost always smiling, unless she's hungry or needs to be changed! She smiles at us when we come in to view and/or talk to her! We recently had to move the straps up on her car seat, too...another sign she is growing up too fast!

She still loves car rides, stroller rides, and baby-wearing! I am learning new ways of baby-wearing and can't wait to try out a few new ones! And of course she loves to just be held! We're up to between 5 & 6 ounces of formula (which means a can goes by very fast) !! Doctor appointment this coming Friday will tell us how long she is and how much weight she has gained! 

She loves going for walks with me or running errands. Of course, she sleeps the entire time, but I love watching her sleep so that's fine with me! I know one day soon she's going to be awake and potentially not enjoy those trips as much, so I cherish every minute!

A friend of ours gave us a Bumbo seat but she isn't quite to the point where she is able to hold her head up completely on her own without bobbing! She's sat in it a couple times with me right beside her...I don't think she's real sure about what to do! She never has adjusted to liking her swing...we haven't tried it in a while but maybe now that she is older she would enjoy it more. She's not a fan of tummy time except when she's laying on my chest. She can hold her head up very well when she's on my chest but when I put her on her tummy she just fusses and burrows her face into the blanket. Now, I'm not trying to rush her--she's "advance" when she's ready--but I have to give her the option from time to time!

I absolutely LOVE being a Mommy!! It's changed my life in more ways than I ever though possible!! I strive to choose to spend time with her versus the laundry, the dishes, etc. Some days it's hard, especially with my personality, but it is always worth it! Especially since she is growing up way too fast!!

It does sadden me that her sisters haven't met her yet and vice versa. (For those who are new...my husband has two daughters from his 1st marriage. They are 4 & 5 and live in VA with their mom). We have not been financially able to make the 12-14 hour drive (round trip) to pick them up since before she was born. I'm praying that this year is a better year all around and that we will be able to see them more often!

I love hearing my baby girl "talk" and make such soft noises as she's laying in her crib staring at all there is to see. I love it when she snuggles into my arms or chest and sleeps peacefully. I love watching her eyes light up when her daddy comes into her sight or when she hears him speak. I love her smiles and silliness! I love everything about my baby girl!! We have been so blessed!!

A Side Trip through Psalms


It has been a very long and low week and I have not succeeded very many days of reading, praying, planning, or exercising. This is a very low place in our lives right now and each day seems to be more hopeless without any answers.

I, however, this week have been drawn back into the Psalms. Psalm 23 has stood out to me the last couple of days. A particular part of P23: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me..." (Psalm 23: 4a).

*I actually prefer it out of the KJV but NIV is easier for some to understand.*


A psalm of David.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk  through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,  for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."


I was gently reminded this week by a very sweet lady that even in the hard times, I am to worship and praise God and spend time with Him and pray. Oh, I know all this  *head knowledge*, but putting it into action *heart knowledge* takes time and dedication and discipline, and to be quite honest I have fallen by the wayside more times than I can count. Even though I know firsthand the power of prayer, power of God, and the rewards of being faithful, it is hard to put it into action when you are in the valley. But that is where we desperately need to remember to be faithful in our walks. I am striving to return to my walk with God. To make the necessary changes in my life to find the discipline of digging, not just reading, but DIGGING into the Word again! To talk to my God as my best Friend; my Father; Everlasting Love; Giver of PEACE; Healer of broken hearts; Giver of grace & forgiveness.

"Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5) (See YouTube video of song, "Yes Lord, Yes Lord" aka "Trading my Sorrows" here).

As we journey on together, and learn or relearn how to get out of bed with a purpose, spend time with our God, exercise for better health (to be better women), and learn how to prioritize and plan our days, let's remember and remind each other that our God is an awesome, fearless God! There will be joy out of all of our sorrows, because He is a God who is able!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Journey to Healthy Habits

I am not proud of the way I ate yesterday or today! Ugh! Too much junk and not enough water or healthy foods!! I do really want to lose the 20 pounds left from baby and then an additional 15-20 to be back where I felt like I looked really good!! Not only do I want the pounds to come off, but I do want to tone up along the journey too. I lack discipline & self control. Two things that I need to work on.

I did manage to get a walk in today though..almost a mile and a half. That makes almost 5 miles in the last week and a half. It's not a lot, but it's a start and I'm getting out of the house. As said, I didn't eat real well today..the healthiest thing I had was some cottage cheese. I know it's not an overnight, immediate change but it sure is frustrating!!

This morning while I was sitting on my bed rocking my baby back to sleep, I did something I haven't done in months. I pulled out my Bible and read through a few passages. Parts of Psalm 62 & Psalm 18 & Romans 8 were all portions that were on my mind and it felt so good to read them again. This is another part of the journey....to dive back into the Word and God's will and re-learn to rely on him not only in the good but also in the hard times.

This is a journey....hopefully a life changing journey. Not a diet, but a lifestyle change. I do not want to be the mom that cannot keep up with her kids because she is so out of shape or overweight (or has other health issues from not taking care of herself). I want my children to grow up in the faith. I want my children to learn how to be godly by us being parents of example. I want them to yearn to dive into their Bibles, sing praises, and trust in our awesome God!

But this is a journey I am not alone on. I have several friends on the same or similar journey and we are supporting each other through texts, emails, even Bible studies, and becoming better Mom's (those of us who are).

Certainly this will not be an overnight change to our lives but rather a life long journey we will walk down together and celebrate our triumphs, evaluate our failures, and learn to praise our God every step of the way.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Link Two Blogs

I just found a way to combine my old blog (different gmail account) with this current blog!! Woot!!!
Please visit : Linking Two Blogs for SUPER EASY directions!!!


Mondays....


While my Monday wasn't terrible but it could have been started earlier. I didn't end up getting out of bed for good until almost NOON!! That means that I was dragging all day and not a whole lot got done. My husband and I have never been early morning people, but on a good day I'm normally up and moving no later than 9am. As a first time mom to a 9 week old, lack of sleep has become a part of the daily drill. Apparently, my lack of sleep caught up with me this morning. Sigh.

Over the next few months, I hope to find a routine that begins earlier than today! I hope to find myself lost in the Word again and trusting more in the power of God that I know is true. It has, to be completely honest, been a very long time since I truly studied the Word and even longer since I was involved in a church group. I have seen the power of prayer, the power of faith and yet, I still find myself  "too busy" at the end of the day to read and be fed. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but it's the truth.

The last couple years have been extremely tough on my husband and I. Financially, we have made some big mistakes and have found ourselves struggling with no end in sight. I am determined for 2013 to be a better year: spiritually, financially, in our marriage, in our parenting, in organizing our house, our family, and in our (currently non-existent) church life. I'd really like for us to find a good, solid church to be involved in around here.

This will be the year of change. Starting now.