If you can't say something nice...

Well, I haven't written anything for a week now. Basically I can sum this up in the great statement- If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. I am struggling and because I am the wife of a minister that is about all I can say (I don't think its a wise decision to vent on the Internet). But I would appreciate your prayers as Jeremy and I strive to draw close to the heart of God and seek his guidance.

Here are two quotes I've found helpful. I thought I'd share them and maybe they will be helpful to you all as well.

The grass isn't greener on the other side; it is greener where you water and fertilize it.

At any time, there is more going right in the life of a committed Christian than there is going wrong. It's just that the "wrong" makes a lot more noise than the "right."

Both of these quotes came from a book I'm reading called, "The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained" It is basically about dealing with mommy stress and really worth reading in my opinion. It is by Lisa TerKerust the president of Probers 31 Ministries. You can check out her blog at http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/ She has an amazing story about adopting her two sons from Africa. Click on the Oprah Show link to see her on Oprah talking about it.

On a side note I am in a book club here that reads books on parenting, marriage, & family so if you are ever looking for a book on a certain subject let me know. It has helped me read tons of awesome books!

Spring Cleaning

Well, I have been attempting do a little "Spring" cleaning. (Even though it doesn't exactly feel like Spring yet). I started with Jeremy & I's closet. It has been driving me crazy because it is so full of clothes everything is crammed in there. So, we sorted and donated. I love doing this. Jeremy however does not. He is attached to his t-shirts like they are an extention of his body. He has a ton of them (some of them dating back to high school or even middle school!) He thinks I make him throw away his stuff- nope just send it to Goodwill. So we battled it out and got rid of a few things. I finally gave up on a few of my pre-mommy clothes deciding they might be out of fashion by the time I fit back into them (if ever).

And it got me to thinking about the spring cleaning I need to do in my heart. I have seen an old battle resurface in my life, my self-image. I have found myself discontent with my physical appearance. And God used my daughter to give me a precious reminder. The other day I was telling my girls that they were beautiful. And Grace looked at me and said-Mama you beautiful. I said thank you. And what she said next is pretty deep for a two year old. She said, "Mama you beautiful in your heart." (and I know that is what she said because she pointed.) Now some might think that was a let down. Aren't I just beautiful? But God was reminding me where true beauty should lie- in my heart. I tell my daughters all the time that they are princesses because their God is king. Sometimes I need to be reminded that God is my father too, and I'm still his princess (Mommy body included) And most of all I want him to think I'm beautiful in my heart.

Easter Pics

Well, it took me a little while but here are a few pics of the girls in their Easter outfits. Grace got an umbrella which she loved (as you can see it made most of our pics) I was very sad it made an appearance in the one of her kissing her sister as we have very few decent pictures of them together. But they aren't screaming so in our house that is a succesful picture of the two of them at this point. :)