Friday, August 24, 2012

I can train to be a Warrior of GOD

Kris has been working hard to earn his "God's Armor", and he decided to give up his train table to buy the "God's Armor"... As he explained to the lady in the check out,  
"I sold my train table so I could buy the God Armor so I can train to be a Warrior of God."
He's ready to go from a Knight and Shinning Armor to be a Warrior of God. I don't know if it is possible to be more proud of my son than I already am :)
To know that my son is already aware of  the importance of Heaven treasures :) and is desiring to work towards earning his treasures.
I love the eagerness my son has to know God, and become closer to him
 
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Blessings
Tina


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Its ok because its big hands

 I was in my daughters room, getting her room ready for bed time. When I heard my son say
"Thanks dad for helping me. You can't hold the bag and just use one hand dad to pick up"
and Kevin responded
"It's Ok because its a big hand". 
And it just stopped me in my tracks! I can't believe on so many levels how that spoke to me.
It was a simple reminder that we should Let Go and Let God
 To listen and understand that God is just simply saying
"It's OK because My Hands are Big Enough for you"
 
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble"
Psalms 46:1

Blessings
Tina 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Her arms are strong...

Every morning I wake to a list of things to do, and no matter what I feel waking up, it is my job to complete the task at hand. God designed us women to take on multiple tasks and to take care of our family. I know its a hard job, but God designed us with strong arms to accomplish the task.
"She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks."
Proverbs 31:17
I love when people ask me when do I find time in my day to complete everything, it is simple... I don't sit ( laughing ) or nap. I plan out my task either the night before or in my head as I sleep. I know it sounds crazy but when I sleep I work out schedules, Sunday outfits and basically everything else. My normal schedule is when I wake, I set all activities to God. I ask him for the strength, energy and time to complete all items set ahead.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."~Philippians 4:13

With out Christ guiding each and every moment it seems impossible to get things done. And there are moments where in my mind I have plans set ahead, but God takes me on a detour for relaxation and moments to reflect on my week. Sometimes I fight him, but then I am reminded:

“Be still, and know that I am God;"~Psalms 46:10
After turning all things to Christ, I start with the list. I try to take the morning to spend with my kids. Because out of all things, my kids come first! Then if they are playing independently, I try and knock out something small and simple. After lunch/play date/family time I start with the BIG items on the list at nap/quiet time. I usual keep going til its all done, and then from there the evening takes over. Gym/Dinner, bath, play time, bed time. Now just because the kids go to bed, don't mean its bed time for me some times. I try and work as fast so I can spend time with my husband. As he is just important!
I hope this all inspired you to continue to feel STRONG and CONFIDENT because God Designed you to be strong for the task ahead!


Blessings
Tina








Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Never stop touching



 Listening to K-LOVE today, and I heard a story about a funeral they attended. And an elderly mans wife passed away after they have been married for 50years. And they where talking to the man, and at that time,  the wife of the DJ telling the story, came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder, and the widower eye widened. And thinking something happened, they asked what was wrong. And the widower told them to

"Never stop touching. Always hug, hold hands, tap on the shoulder but never stop touching. You never know when it will be the last".





And I was speechless. I found it hard to imagine not having my husbands hand to hold. To no longer have him embrace me when he gets home. Its the smallest things we take for granted. And I don't think I could ever imagine that day. And I pray I never have to imagine that day. But then I truly think about it, it is the BEST advice ever! I've been given A LOT of advice in my 8yrs of marriage, but this is the 2nd best advice I have been given.

Stop... and hug your spouse someone today and every day!
Blessings
Tina

Friday, August 10, 2012

Baby Fever

I am in the most difficult place a woman with baby fever could be. I want one more, but hubby is good with 2. I am very respectful of his decision, but won't give up hope. That is God wants us to have more He will make way! And a lot of people have ask why I would want more. Here is my answer, ever since I was a nanny to 3 wonderful kids, I wanted 3 children of my own. And then when I had my own, I loved being pregnant, and labor wasn't too bad either. But its more than just pregnancy and having a lot of children. Its the fact that my kids are amazing little people, and I love them so much. They bring so much to my life I could never describe.
 But the most important reason is my husband. He is such an amazing Father to my children. The leadership and the dedication to provide and raise our children, just amazes me. To watch him day in and day out, just makes me want more with him. And see what we together (with God) have made, with creating 2 beautiful children, but also raising well behaved, strong Christian children. I don't want surplus children because its the "cool thing" to do (as some has so rudely pointed out), I want children because its God's reward to us as husband and wife. To have a heritage to pass down to our children of a family that is based on Christ, loving and happy. 
"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them."
Psalms 127:3-5
Blessing
Tina

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Housewife.. Or more?

So I was thinking the other day about what my role as a wife, and stay at home mother. I really started thinking to all the women I speak to day in and day out. And it always comes back to "he never helps" or "he didn't do the one job he's responsible for after he got home from work". And here's my response "Why should he?", honestly why should he come home from work and clean? As a stay at home wife/mother it is my job, to take care of the house, dinner, laundry and children. Do I always enjoy it? No, who does? Do I still ask for help? YES! But it is NOT he's responsibility to do house work, once he comes home when I've been home all (part) day. Now I do have bad days where I just need help, and he jumps in and helps every time.
Now, for those who thinks I sound "old fashion" or "caveman" talk, that ok for you but hear me out. And this is my personal opinion and you don't have to like it, and you don't have take it as a life style. But I believe that when you become a stay at home mom/wife, the house, laundry, children, and food becomes your responsibility and your full time job! It to me clearly, in my mind, laid out in Proverbs 31  We where designed to be in this position. The days that you spend cleaning the house, and your husband comes home, does it not feel rewarding to see him happy? 
With that said, think about what happens when you take the stress of housework off his plate? You become more than just a housewife, you become more to him. You become a vital part of his life in whole. You start allowing him to become more important in your life as well. You stop being a nag and more of an encouragement, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." Proverbs 21:9 & "Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife." Proverbs 21:19 (yes God felt it was THAT important he talked about twice in one chapter!), Your also stop stressing because you have things in order and can focus on your relationship. I encourage you if you want to, to step up and start becoming more than just a housewife. Become more of an encourager and a happy wife.


Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

                              Proverbs 31:10-31

10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate

Blessings,
Tina

Little Person BIG voice!

On our way home, my kids asked for Veggie Tales. And we drove home, enjoying listening to my children singing Veggie Tales. God just amazes me more and more, the older my children get. My son from the back of the seat gave the speech to me.

Mom, do you know why God is awesome? Because he can anything! And he loves from far far far away, and protects like he's here on Earth! He will protect us from everything, the dark... thunderstorms... bad dreams... and anything we fear. Isn't he awesome!"
I mean wow, from the mouth of children. I love the fact that my son, has voice that he wants heard! But the most important thing, he seemed to be speaking straight to my heart. From a little person came a BIG voice.. God's voice. I love this!
                                                                                                                                                Blessings
                                                                                                                                                        Tina

Monday, August 6, 2012

Swap til you drop!

SWAP TIL YOU DROP!

And boy did we do that on Saturday!

This was an amazing set up! The vendors where amazingly kind, helpful, full of FREEBIES and amazing items in the swag bags!

I went there with the stock pile in mind, grab what you can and get out! It is a packed house! But it turned into fellowship with grab what you can! Moms helping moms out with sizing the "next size" sizing and helping find what they are looking for! My son is so oddly sized, it was hard looking at first, he's a 3T pants and 5T top (sometimes Small) and a mom stopped her shopping to help me out! I mean to stop grabbing basically FREE clothes to help a mom out. That was awesome!
And the staff there was amazing, pointing out boxes and bags not hung up (because there was so much out already) before you walked out. I don't I could ask for a better "shopping" experience!
I am so looking forward to the next one! 
Start boxing kids clothes and shoes now and come out and join us!

Blessings
Tina