I don't know about anyone else but I'm not always a fan of the false impression that blogging or facebook tends to give about one's household and life. That struggles don't exist. Grace isn't needed. Houses don't get dirty. And things are always just perfect and peachy.
That's just not life here for us, and the truth is I'm okay to show that from time to time. Now I don't want the main focus to be these things, sure I tend to dislike how dirty my floors generally are but I also know that my worth as a wife, mom, and daughter of the Most High does not come from having the most spic and span floors in the county. The reality is that it's not these "things" that necessarily do or do not matter. It's how I handle them that does. It's in being home here as a wife and mom that I've experienced God's grace in ways I simply never would otherwise. It's in being a stay at home mom that my grace for others has grown immensely!
My days can get hard, and I can't pretend that they don't. Just like there is an enemy out there ready and seeking to devour you on your walk through life, there is that same enemy here while I walk these floors spending most of my time at home.
When Gabe and I finally do sit down at night to pray just us, more times than not my one prayer request for me is..."I just need strength. I'm tired. And I feel overwhelmed during the day." I really love Gabe. He prays for me, a lot, because well... I really need it! but what I need most sometimes is to be reminded how much I've been given. How much I have to be thankful for. It's amazing how quickly a tired and overwhelmed spirit can change when I start "looking" around at all I've been given both in the natural and supernatural. And yeah, Gabe doesn't just wallow in my self pity with me. He holds me to a higher standard and I'm thankful for that.
I'm challenged and learning what it means every day to live in the Spirit. Death has no grip on me because of Christ. That same power is with me all day long here at home and wherever I venture out to. With that power and because of God... all things are possible! The devil has no hold on me! The challenge is... do I live like that, radically?? It's there for the taking. Why on earth not!?
I see that those seemingly BIG obstacles aren't really big at all. What they are in fact are heart/attitude breakers. For me. Not my 2 year old. For me, 25, woman, adult. In that situation or moments when all 3 kids are crying, the older 2 are fighting, I'm on the phone, Liam is half way up the stairs, the laundry is piled YAH high, the sink is FULL of dishes, and time is seemingly nowhere in sight to get them done let alone anything else...I have a choice to 'feel overwhelmed' and act on the situation based on those emotions, or pray for help right then and there.
I'll tell you what, the Holy Spirit meets you right where you're at. He really is a helper with attitudes, perspective, and patience (my personal big ones I'm ALWAYS asking for in the moment and if only I'd ask more often!). I've missed it altogether if all I'm in pursuit of is just 'getting through' the day. If that were the case that's about all that would get done. Instead I choose to learn and be changed.
It's in that power that God is revealed. In that same power I'm brought to my knees of who I really am, how much I need Him, and the gift I've really been given in Christ for my life here on earth. To underestimate or deny that power is for me to say "God you're a liar." or "I don't really need you." It's a choice I daily have to make and often many times in one day. And I don't always pass the tests with flying colors.
So I share these pics with you and find reason to be thankful for MUCH, and in the most humbling way. I share these things to make a point that God is good and He cares about us here. His love and grace are real. I don't need a nap to feel rested, truth is I'd never get one anyways and even if I did, here's a little secret...naps don't change hearts. God does. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He tells me to come to him when I am weary and burdened and HE will give me rest!! That is the kind of rest my soul yearns for.
This is real life for me today (and most days) because home for me is where His grace more often than not abounds.
My sink looked like this yesterday morning after JUST breakfast, although the griddle was in there from last night's pancakes. Yes, I often pull the pancakes and eggs for dinner card. It's actually a favorite around these parts. Who in their right mind doesn't LOVE real maple syrup?!?!?!
Night crawlers in the tied bag accompany my bone empty fridge. Shopping most likely won't happen until Gabe is able to watch the kids for me on Thursday night so I can get away. But those night crawlers... Asher's daddy took him fishing! We really DO have food. It's all things I have to 'make'.
My laundry "room" does NOT look like the laundry rooms in Better Homes and Gardens. Does yours??
In fact we currently have some "issues" down in the basement. It smells like poo all the time, and not just from dirty diapers! There is a real problem looming. As soon as Gabe has time he needs to find the reason why. I'm praying it's a quick fix.
My couch usually looks like this.
This is where the material I got months ago sits and patiently waits. But the table underneath was my great grandmother's and I inherited it just recently! It's beautiful and I love this material when I do have a moment to glance at it while I walk pass it to switch over the loads of laundry.
I have a happy helper (most of the time) to put her own laundry away all by herself.
And one here too! He is such a GREAT helper. He's happy A LOT and a joy to be around...just like his daddy!
Before lunch my living room always looks like this. Before the day has really even begun it tends to look like this.
Fall decor is in the air. I like to look at this when the rest of my house looks like....
Thanks Mom for the gourds and fun 'white' pumpkins from your garden! I really like those.
We pick up often. Sophia puts the train tracks away while Asher does the toys. 2 separate bins.
We then eat lunch. Liam generally lacks pants!
I really need to throw mine out!
And I always fall behind on the dirty diapers. While the kids are in bed for the NIGHT I usually get back to them. I know REAL sanitary! Sometimes I will go in there to do them to see they've ALL been done.
Gabe! 
But Asher made his bed all by himself!
And I did find time to do those dishes.
And I'm reminded how God cares about 'little' needs like a chest of drawers given to us for Liam or whoever I decide once I get around to filling it!
The chore chart lacks check marks for good attitudes. Time spent "in the bathroom" was the alternative.
I lay all babes down for a nap and seize this opportunity!
As well as tackling my desk/office work, emails I need to respond to, phone calls, and bills that keep coming while insurance gets "worked out". That last one is such a struggle for me to not get 'worked up' over. I hate making those phone calls. Gabe always says.."Just play hard-ball."
I say..."But I don't know how. I get scared and all sweaty."
Wow and while I take that last picture I notice a surprise from Gabe in the background that I love. If you can save your pennies and get a mad deal like we did it will definitely prove to be worth the wait! I LOVE to vacuum. Really! and not just because of this. You should have seen what I've been using for the past several years. $30 for a vacuum for the past 3 years is all I can say...
Another piece we were given! I even had "fancier" dishes given to us after wedded bliss to put in it all just down in boxes waiting for a "home". Everything we recently were given were things I thought about here and there. I had even prayed about them. A lot of times I like to do that for things I may 'think' we need. I am amazed how often we are given those exact things. Gabe and I have been in the shopping market for dressers."We" probably could have gotten these things ourselves or saved up for them, but again, I'm amazed to see them handed to us, and it's a chance to be reminded God really does care. He knows. He makes things happen and He gets the glory. Think you need something??... here's a challenge- Let your requests be made known to God. Now who am I to say you need that high def flat screen TV! Gabe is currently praying for one as well as a motorcycle! 
And after a very short amount of quiet time Asher appears on the stairs. He rarely naps! I send him back up to rest until I come and get him. I don't remember the last time I mopped my floors. They are bad!
I still have yet to make it to Gabe's shirts for work. These ARE clean. This is just how they usually end up for several days.
The kids practice sitting quiet. Liam wonders why he doesn't have the bottom part to his "play-station" as he balances suspended in mid air!
By this time I am very ready for Gabe to come home and have his company. Tonight though he worked (and is still) late to finish a paper due for his Master's program tomorrow. Apparently he gets more done there than here, hmmmm... wonder why.
4 o'clock comes and dinner prep is looming in my mind. I'm out of all quick fix meals including cereal, eggs, oatmeal, or sandwiches. My kids watch a little TV. Little Bear keeps them all entertained so I can make something.
I make Vodka sauce for dinner. Asher says he wants that for his birthday dinner with white cake and ice cream for dessert.
The sink is chuck full again.
But Gabe has leftovers for his lunch now!
The kids BEG to paint. I am SO tired at this point I am falling asleep. I have a splitting headache. Since all 3 need baths tonight anyways and I need help in the "fun" department I say "Sure!" Gabe calls to say "Hi" from the office. While on the phone with him Sophia spills her water cup.
Then Asher does.
Patience and Grace
::Next day::
Because I got super tired and went to bed after those baths and babes were asleep.
Gabe's shirts got ironed.
I miss Gabe. It's been a busy and hard work/school week for him. But he's smart. And he's able to do this program for NOTHING. And I'm so thankful for the great job he has and the even better job he does.
The rest of our day is much the same as yesterday. After naps we head outside for a walk.
Asher is such a good brother. I love this boy.
We walk down our dirt road, that reminds me of my long dirt road as a little girl, in the middle of nowhere. It's peaceful and quiet and traffic is nonexistent. We take our time and mosey down and back, chatting the whole way.
I can't find my shoes from the spring. I keep pulling the "teenage mutant ninja turtle" look. But it's just at home so it's okay.
And I love this babe!
Our apple tree is FULL. We eat from it every day. It's a treat for the kids.
We will have been in our house 2 years this fall!
I'm feeling tired. A game I play with the kids is I make them run to the "tree line" and back. They have to obey and do this REALLY fun game. We play this several times! Sophia usually loses wind on her way back, but they fall asleep the second their little heads hit their pillows.
Aren't I a fun Momma?? 
Turns out when Gabe got home tonight I was able to slip away for an hour to go grocery shopping. YES!! Gabe needed a break and he missed the kids.
However while out shopping I glanced down to see...you guessed it....my ninja feet!!!
Sweet!
I hear word Graham had yet another awesome day.
My God is good. He's gracious and His mercies are new every morning.
I go to bed overwhelmed with thankfulness.
But first a bowl of Honeycomb with my man.
It's been a good day.
Recent Comments