Pantry Reorganization

My energy level has been up these last couple of days, so I spent this afternoon organizing the pantry. 

I didn’t take any before pictures, but just imagine the same pantry with everything totally thrown all around. Now. It’s done!

Starting Jonah

I've started taking a Bible study about Jonah and a life interrupted. I thought it was appropriate. I'm looking forward to it.

Begging

What are you begging for in life?  I mean, truely honestly begging for when you do something.  Whenever you're tired, upset, angry, or sad; whenever you turn to God and just start begging for His help: What are you begging for?
What I usually beg for is control.  I beg that I will have control over my emotions, my kids, my house, and more.  But usually, when I get so tired of just praying, what I beg for is for me to be in control.
But what is at the heart of it?  I should be begging for Jesus.  I was thinking about this the other day while watching Beth Moore, and thought:  what happens when I look further into the question? 
Beth Moore asked the question, "what are you begging for in life?"  But then she also asked "What is it your soul is begging for from Christ?"
You see, even though I might be begging for me to be in control, after looking hard inside myself for the answer to the second question I realized something.  I realized what my soul is begging for from Christ is that He takes control of the situation.  Cause that's what I really need.  I have to realize God is the one in control, not me, and I can always rely on Him. 
This little epiphany caught me by surprise.  When asked the first question, the word "control" jumped in my mind as if there was no questioning that answer.  Naturally, I had a self-absorbed moment where I thought "Yeah, I do beg for control in life."  It's true, I do.
But when asked the second question, "control" popped up again.  And that's when I really thought about it.  What my soul is begging and yearning for is Christ, and His control over a situation.
What about you? 

Elf on the shelf DIY ?

Last year I told myself that we would do the elf on the shelf thing the following year. Well that time is fast approaching and I've already seen the combo packs with the elf and video/book. But the thing I said last year was that I was going to make the elf so it was more personal. Well, the other day I started on its head. I noticed then that it was kind of big. The more I think about it the more I agree. So I think I'm going to start over with a smaller head. Also the body doesn't seem like it'll be all that pose able so I think I will look to find a body that might instead of making one. I looked on the infamous pinterest to see other peoples DIY elfs. One just redressed a tinkerbell friend doll. The other made theirs to look like the original elf on the shelf. The second one used a poseable muslin body from hobby lobby. I don't know why I didn't even bother looking in the doll section for this! I'll have to go back and check that aisle out. Actually, looking back, I know why we didn't think of that (mom is making one, too): we were going off a list of instructions to make these steampunk looking dolls. Which are pretty cool looking but I'm thinking they are not going to be that welcoming for the cheery holidays. I'll finish my current elf, but I'm thinking it'll just be decorative. I'll have to get out and go to hobby lobby these next couple of days to get the new right stuff. Now I'm just debating the materials to make the head out of: paper mâché covered with gesso, or polymer clay and sculpt it that way.

The Average Sunday

Yup, this is pretty basic for how Sundays feel.  I got this video from:
http://www.ignitermedia.com/mini-movies/2436/Sunday-Morning

Fighting Me

I've been fighting myself a lot lately.  I've noticed this trend in myself over the last few months, but it's getting stronger and stronger.  I want so bad to be a Proverbs 31 Woman (not just a P31 wife, or mom, I want it all!  Cause that's what she was.) but I'm fighting urges from selfish "No. 1 Me".  I noticed it yesterday, a really bad feeling once I realized it, but that day was a day the kids are at school.  Normally I clean, and I was going to, but I think my mom had noticed that I've been feeling depressed lately.  So, she had me come over and do some crafts.  They were lots of fun and I could have kept doing them, but I stopped so that I'd have enough time to go home and do some cleaning before I went to pick up the kids.  I was in a good mood (I could still feel the depression in the back of my head, but I was happy).  Then I picked up the kids.  Before we even left the school I was agitated and stressed.  Erin had peed once in her clothes at naptime, so they had her in a second outfit, well right when I got there she peed in those.  So I had to run out to the car and get her a change of clothes (but I only had pants and no top).  I hate the feelings I left the school with.  My mind was telling me the kids cause me to be depressed, which is something I never wanted to hear.  As much as it's true it's not true.  It's not the kids, but what they are developmentally going thru.  I will get there, where I'm not depressed or fighting myself because it feels good to do what I want to do and not worry about anyone else.  Sometimes I know I'm not ready to have a family because I'm so selfish.  I've got to remind myself that it's not just about me.  There are five other lives under this roof that I need to care for.  This doesn't mean I shouldn't take time for myself, but there will be time enough for that later.  Right now I need to concentrate on them, and how making them happy will make me happy.  God first and the rest will follow

Nicest compliment

I think I got the nicest compliment today! We had the book club meeting over at my house today and I had been real busy all day (zoo in the morning, my dr in the afternoon). But I had somehow been able to pick up 90% of the house (everything but the masters). I even got the playroom picked up. Only one other girl showed up but when I showed her the playroom she asked if the kids actually played in there. I had to smile. There were still remnants of shredded paper on the floor, but otherwise it did look pretty good. I had to give myself an attagirl for today. And thank you mom for helping clean the living room. I really appreciate it.