We had such a great day playing at the park, sitting under the shade of my parents tree and just really relaxing.  It was seriously one of those So Cal days that others move here for.  It was just perfect!

Oranges

               

Today we went orange picking and had the best time.  The oranges are the sweetest I have ever tasted.  Afterward we went to the park and played for 2 hours raking up the leaves and falling into them, throwing them on each other and just crunching them under our feet.  It was a nice day and the girls had a blast.  We are still on with our 2011 goals to spend less time watching t.v. and more time playing and making this last year before school starts a time to remember.  I pray I can be diligent enough to keep it going.  Now I have to go and enjoy my orange dessert!

Never ceases to amaze me

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

Abraham Lincoln
chew on that one for a bit

It's not nice...

So when you think your kids are not listening...THEY ARE!  They are not just listening they are repeating (and reminding you of lessons learned).  I have a few fun stories to share about things my students used to tell me about what their parents said or did.  But that can be for another day, LOL.  My own daughter has been repeating things she hears most of the time without even knowing what the words mean, but reminding me of things that I should be doing or maybe not.
Here's a recap of one of today's saying:

My sweet baby girl, "it's not nice to be apathetic mommy;" where she heard this I don't know.
Me, "Yes honey you are so right it is not nice to be apathetic."

Now I am thinking about the word apathetic; showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern. I get so caught up in my own issues, things I have to do that I can be apathetic to some people and situations and that is not what God wants from me!  I guess this shows my yuckiness but I feel like we might all be here at times.  I don't want to be apathetic at any time and I want to teach my kids to have interest, concern & enthusiasm for people and situations.

Today I want to remember to have more compassion for those around me and those I don't even know.  A prayer for them, a kind word, food, sharing my faith,...

Thanks for the reminder sweet baby girl, I needed it today.

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have   loved you, that you also love one another."

John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:17 "These things I command you, that you love one another."

1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

X-ray

Taking your kid for an x-ray as most of you know can be quite challenging.  But it's for their own good and sometimes we just need to know exactly what is inside.
I am reminded today that God sees the inside of me everyday.  He doesn't even bother to look at the outside because that doesn't matter to Him.  It is what is in my core that is going to count.  Today as we understand what is going on with our child, I am reminded that God is looking into my heart and soul and knows exactly what is going on in there.  Today may I examine my own heart and draw closer to Him   who sees and loves me!

For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.         1 Samuel 16:7b

2nd Day

Well it is the second day of the New Year and I am already sick.  I have just been lazy all day trying to get my head clear.  I love this rain though because it just makes me think of how God is washing everything clean and all the new green growth that will result from it.  Thank you God on this 2nd day of January and for the growth that you will bring in my heart and on your land.

2011 Here we go

Happy New Year Everyone!

A new year, a new beginning to start afresh and leave all the unwanted garbage behind.  Looking forward to the next 365 days (including today because I have a lot to do today too).  I know I completely dropped the ball in 2010 with this blog but I refuse to feel guilty about it because it was out of my control.  I am ready to get going again though. I have hit the ground running literally.

My New Year's Resolution in order of importance:

1.  Grow closer to Jesus Christ! (Everything    pales in comparison to this.)

2.  Be a better wife, mother, friend and person in general.
3.  Exercise and lose this last 15 pounds that are hurting me.  Dropped the ball on this too in the last 2 months of last year.
4.  Be more organized and finish the rest of my projects.



I think these pretty much are all intertwined.  If I am close to Jesus, I think the rest will just come.  I pray for the discipline that I need for these tasks above.  I pray for you and whatever you want or need to accomplish this year.

Let me know what your resolutions are.