Crispy Carrots

Our friend, Joel, is a farmer, and he gave us a great tip when we harvested the carrots out of our garden. Last year, the carrots didn't last long in the fridge before they became spongy and we ended up tossing a bunch of them. Joel recommended that we soak this year's crop in ice water for 24 hours before we cleaned them and put them in the fridge. No more spongy carrots! They are so sweet and crispy this year. Thanks, Joel!

Go here to see what is working this week for other bloggers.

Also, if you are diet/fitness challenged like me, you might be interested in this online book club over at my fitness blog. The more the merrier. : )

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I Made the Right Choice

It's 10:00 and I'm winding down for the night. Or maybe I should say I'm gearing up for the night. : )

I'm setting up my middle of the night feeding station-
nursing pillow, check
burp rag, check
thrush medicine and clean syringes, check
gas drops, check
nursing pads stocked, check
diapers stocked, check

There used to be a time when I just "went to bed." Oh how I long for those days again. But he is worth every minute of it. I am tired, but so thankful to be here.

I've been reflecting on today and what a good day it was. I think the reason it was such a good day was because of a choice I made at 2:00 this afternoon.

My oldest daughter was in school, my younger daughter was having some quiet time in front of a movie, and my baby was napping. It was the perfect set-up for a nap, but I had that nagging feeling like a nap wasn't the right choice this time.

This is what I prayed, "Lord, I have enough time to either pray, clean, or sleep, and to be perfectly honest sleep is what I want. If I choose to pray instead, I am going to need some supernatural energy to make it through this day and I'm going to need some supernatural help to get my work done, the girls to AWANA on time tonight, and clothes ready for the girls to wear for picture day tomorrow."

I wish I could say I dropped everything and prayed, but it took a little bit more convincing from that gentle whisper asking me to come spend some time with Him. I ended up having a great prayer time, and I was able to talk to Him about some things I've been carrying around on my shoulders. I walked away from that time more refreshed than a nap could have ever made me feel.

And then an amazing thing happened- I got laundry done, I was able to make dinner AND get the girls to AWANA without stress. I got some dishes done. The girls have clothes to wear for their pictures tomorrow and I'm going to bed before midnight.

It's impossible to put into words how many little things God did for me this afternoon to confirm that the prayer time was the right choice. Sometimes I think of prayer as a duty and forget how much it blesses me.

Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.

(And please, please, please sleep through the night little man!)

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The Prayer That Never Fails

I have been asked to write a weekly devotion for my church's women's ministry website, so I thought I'd cross post them here for Daiquiri's Seek The Lord Sunday meme.

From the Word:

Click here and read Luke 22:39-45

Key Verse:
Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. -Luke 22:39-45

I love good books and some of my favorites are Jan Karon’s novels “The Mitford Series.” Set in the small Southern town of Mitford, they tell the story of a lovable, Episcopalian priest, named Father Tim. The magic of the books lies in how ordinary life is in Mitford.

I have learned so much from Father Tim. Before he starts his day, he always prays, “Make me a blessing to someone today.” What an attitude! Whatever happens today, Lord, please let me touch someone’s life! He has a firm grasp on grace, and it shows up throughout the books. But I think the most important lesson that I have learned from Father Tim is his famous “prayer that never fails.”

Whenever he is counseling someone or trying to figure out a situation, he suggests that they pray the prayer that never fails, “Thy will be done.”

Why don’t we pray this prayer more often? Fear! We forget that our God is trustWORTHY. If we are honest, many of us are afraid of what that Will might include. It is almost as if we see God in Heaven saying, “Yippee! She finally surrendered. Now I can pour on the really hard stuff!”

We must remember God’s character and His heart toward us. He says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

He isn’t out to get us. He is out to love us, mold us, shape us, draw us to Himself, and ultimately work out what is best for us individually and for the Kingdom as a whole. Pray the prayer that never fails and trust for just the right answer.

Personal Application:
Does praying this prayer terrify you? List what you are afraid of, confess your unbelief, and ask God to help you trust Him more.

In his book, Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray gives this exhortation:

“Oh, I want to encourage you, and I want you to cast away every fear. Come with that feeble desire. If there is the fear which says- ‘Oh, my desire is not strong enough. I am not willing for everything that may come, and I do not feel bold enough to say I can conquer everything’ – I implore you, learn to know and trust your God now. Say: ‘My God, I am willing that You should make me willing.’”

Give the Lord Your fear, and then ask Him to make you willing and able to surrender to His good will.

More of God’s Word:
1. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief! Mark 9:24 (KJV)

2. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. – Psalm 111:7 (NLT)

3. God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); - 1 Corinthians 1:9a (Amplified Bible)

Dear Lord, Thy will be done. As scary as it is to pray, I know that I can trust You because you are worthy of that trust. Thank you that I can rest in knowing You are sovereign over the details of my life. Equip me to let go and wait for Your perfect will.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen

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Dang Global Warming!

HA! HA!

These were the views outside of my windows last night:

Not only did it snow on OCTOBER 9TH, but my kids were able wake up and there was enough left to sled on.

I have to admit, I love it! And my family has a tradition of competing for the first snow. Whoever gets it first calls the other family members and brags. Since Mom was here with me for my win this year, I just have to say to my brother, "We win, Ben! Neiner, Neiner!" : )

I do want the pretty Fall leaves to come back though. This was exciting but I'll wait until closer to Christmas for more.

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A Letter From the Prince

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say hi and to thank you for all of the praying you have done for me.

I'm getting bigger every day. Do you see my big boy clothes? I outgrew those little boy newborn clothes ages ago! : )

Two days ago, I decided to change again and become even more interactive. I love to "talk" now and smile at anyone who will give me some attention. Attention is something I seem to get a lot of around here.

I love to hang out with my sisters. They think I'm the cutest baby ever, so I get LOTS of attention from them. But my one true love is the ceiling fan in the living room. Every time I get a glance of THAT wonderful thing, I break out in the biggest grin.









































Grandma is visiting this week and she is so much fun. She gives me baths, holds me whenever I want it, and she taught me the coolest trick. If I look in the mirror, I will find another friend to talk to and smile at.

Grandma has to leave on Saturday and I don't like it one bit!

She better come back soon.

Thanks again for checking in on me and my family.

Love,

The Prince

(A.K.A. The Scribe)

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New Mom Gear

My baby is seven weeks old and there have been a few baby items I wouldn't want to be without. I thought I'd share them for those of you who have baby showers coming up or are about to become new moms yourselves.

1. Booby Tubes- Great name, huh? These have helped so much with soreness from nursing.

2. Boppy Portable Baby Swing- This was a gift from my mom and Grandma. I thought I needed a full size swing, but now I wouldn't trade the portable one. It is so easy to fold up and take anywhere in the house or to take with me when I go visiting. Prince Charming sleeps in it often when I'm at my friend's house. : ) It means I actually get to eat lunch and watch HGTV. : )

3. The nursing cover I made. It makes breastfeeding in public so easy. I don't have to be housebound at feeding time.

4. My nursing bracelet that Daiquiri made me. It helps me remember what side I need to start on when I nurse. I slide it off and on to the next wrist right before I unhook my bra. The next time I start on that side and slip it on to the other wrist. It is elastic so it slides on and off easily. It is small and neutral so it looks nice with whatever I am wearing. Thanks, Daq!

5. Shannon's flannel burp clothes. They are the perfect size and are cute, too. I made a bunch before my baby was born and I love them.

6. My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow: Terrible name, I know, but works great! This might just be personal preference, but I like this pillow much better than the Boppy one I had for the girls. It has an adjustable belt that buckles around your waste so it doesn't slip around and it positions my baby perfectly for feeding. It is the same price as a Boppy, but is much softer and the outer cover zips off so you can wash it in the wash.

There you have it! These work for me.

To see what is working for other bloggers stop by Works For Me Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer.

You can see my past WFMW posts here.

** By the way- I'm going to be doing a book club on my Fitness blog using a devotional called Faithfully Fit. If any of you new moms have baby weight to lose and want to support each other and pray for one another, I'd love to have you join me. You can click here to read about it.

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All Is Right With the World

I just got home from the airport where I picked up my mom. She is staying with us for five days, and I can't tell you how that does my heart good. We are all so happy to have Grandma here.

The girls have been counting how many sleeps they have until Grandma comes for the last two weeks, and you would have thought it was Christmas this morning when they realized there were no more sleeps left. Amy figured it out first and ran up the stairs yelling, "Sissy, Sissy. This is THE day! GRANDMA is coming. TODAY!!!!"

I've been emotional and hormonal and a little down in the dumps this weekend, but Mom makes it all feel better.

Thank God for Grandma!

I think I'll sneak away for a nap while she's busy with her grandkids. No one will miss me. : )

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