After much prayerful consideration, Fred and I decided that we would put Joshua and Anna Bell in Mother's Morning Out this year. Fred was extremely supportive of the idea all along, but I really struggled with it. Many of you can relate I'm sure: it is such an incredible blessing and privilege to be able to stay home with the kids that I feel guilty paying for this time "all to myself." However, this time of rest and productivity is such a blessing as well! The kids leave with Fred a little bit before 9 each Wednesday morning and come home with him at around noon. Today was our first day and I really did not know what to do with myself!!!! I had planned on running some errands, but woke up to a VERY rainy, dark, cool morning. These are some of my favorite kinds of days, but not so much for running errands. Although resting and reading the entire 3 hours would have been amazing, I didn't want to waste such valuable time. Instead, I read and sipped some Chia tea for about 30 minutes and then got to work on some house projects. My prayer is that I will be a good steward of this time and not let it go to waste. When the baby comes, I'm sure that I'll use it for rest, but until then and as long as I'm up to it- I want to get things done that are challenging to do with the kids at home. I was able to paint some frames for the upstairs bath and almost finish touching up trim work in the downstairs bath. It was really fun to have this solid block of time to work!
Another "goal" that I have for my Wednesday mornings is that I would spend some time reading books that challenge me both spiritually and intellectually. I have read so few "seminary type" books since I finished up at Southeastern. One of my favorites that I read while in school was Holiness by JC Ryle. I remember reading it for Systematic Theology and wishing that I had more time and mental energy to process the great truths that Ryle writes about. SO: I read the first chapter this morning. It is a greatly convicting chapter on sin and how we can in no way have a right view of God's holiness until we have a both cognitive and spiritual understanding of our sin. Very good stuff. Here is my favorite quote from today's reading: "We shall do well to remember that when we make our own miserably imperfect knowledge and consciousness the measure of our sinfulness, we are on very dangerous ground. A deeper study of Leviticus might do us much good." Oh woe is me!!! Praise God for His loving grace and faithful refining!!!!!
Another "goal" that I have for my Wednesday mornings is that I would spend some time reading books that challenge me both spiritually and intellectually. I have read so few "seminary type" books since I finished up at Southeastern. One of my favorites that I read while in school was Holiness by JC Ryle. I remember reading it for Systematic Theology and wishing that I had more time and mental energy to process the great truths that Ryle writes about. SO: I read the first chapter this morning. It is a greatly convicting chapter on sin and how we can in no way have a right view of God's holiness until we have a both cognitive and spiritual understanding of our sin. Very good stuff. Here is my favorite quote from today's reading: "We shall do well to remember that when we make our own miserably imperfect knowledge and consciousness the measure of our sinfulness, we are on very dangerous ground. A deeper study of Leviticus might do us much good." Oh woe is me!!! Praise God for His loving grace and faithful refining!!!!!
*On a totally different and random note, here are some cute pictures of my wonderful family!!!:)
Both kids hopped onto Fred's lap before bed the other night wanting him to read a book!
Both kids hopped onto Fred's lap before bed the other night wanting him to read a book!
Here is a picture of Anna Bell's first pigtails. Her hair isn't quite long enough for it to stay up for very long, but it sure looked adorable while it lasted! (Mom: aren't you proud of me-- that I was sentimental enough to capture this "first" on camera...:))
7 comments:
Rainy starts pre-school in a couple of weeks. It will be really nice to have some alone time with just Zeke but at the same time I'm really going to miss Areyna. Ya'll are doing awesome and this is the perfect time for you to do this with a baby on the way. Maybe you'll feel all caught up before he gets here!!
We just love your family=)
Yea!!! They look so excited and so sweet... so our mdo starts soon as well, but our change of plans is that I am now working at it 2 days a week. I get paid well and the girls go for free so it is a great situation. I think we will get a sitter a couple times a month for me to do errands etc.... Enjoy your time!
I would love to talk to you about "school"! I would just love to talk to you period ahhaha...
Lindsey, We are so proud of you and Fred and the way you are raising our precious grandchildren. You guys and Luke and Laura are such awesome parents! You are doing an amazing job of spiritually nurturing them as well as being amazingly consistent with discipline.
That being said, these things take MUCH energy - more than most of us have in a day - SO, relax a little and rest some for the 3 hours you have once a week. Being goal oriented is good - I think you probably got that from me - but if resting will make you a better wife and mommy when they walk in the door at noon, give yourself permission to rest!
I love you all!
Mom
p.s.
Our babies look so adorable and SO GROWN UP in these pictures! I need to see you all!
Grandma
When I was on a plane ride not too long ago, I had a bit of an epiphany (I'm sure this is not an original idea so bear with me). They always tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before assiting the children - something that is very contrary to the nature of motherhood because we are naturally prone to take care of their needs first. But the reason for that is obvious in that if we pass out from lack of oxygen, we will be doing our children no good. So, treat Wednesday as a chance to stick an oxygen mask on your face and recharge. Of course be wise and useful with your time, but also realize that sitting and reading and relaxing and resting are sometimes just as useful and beneficial to your family! You're such a great mom. I wish you lived closer so I could soak up some of your wisdom and squeeze those adorable kids of yours!
Hi Lindsey! Just took some time to catch up with you guys on your blog. I was thinking of the last (and only) time we saw Joshua, and he was brand new and had big frog eyes.:) I can't believe how your lives (and ours) have changed since the last time we were together. You have a beautiful family and I can see that you are a creative and passionate mom and wife. We love you and hope to see you while we're in the States.
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