{get your cartons ready}

we are getting about 35-40+ per week.

So fun, it's Easter every day! 

{last girl on the planet?}

to know that I really should be using a heat protectant before I dry my hair?

Well, this little bottle gets RAVE reviews by the "powers that be out there".  

Where ever out there is??   I've been using it as religiously.  Well

religiously in terms of as often as I can remember to use it. 

Not quite a given yet; but, I try.    

 I must say, for me....going without a trim all summer

long without it being totally fried is something that has probably never

happened before.  I'm not saying I don't need a  trim, but it  hasn't

been mandatory yet.

  I suspect that MAYBE this had an impact of some sort. 

{counting down the days}

Be still, and know that I am God.  Psalms 46:10.  

I am counting down the days.

We have planned a little get away to

totally unplug.  I am beyond excited.

Work is overwhelming right now.

We have six MD appointments this week.

I have a nursing class for CEU's today & tomorrow.

We are definitely in need of a respite.

It is booked, so no backing out now. ;)  

C.A.N.N.O.T.  W.A.I.T.

{neglect?}

I'm on a roll tonight.

I was tucking Noah in and he made a verbal note of

the fact that he has been wearing only underwear and t-shirt

to bed x the last three nights.  This is quite odd for him since 

he is VERY modest.  Yes, I had noticed, but hadn't said a word. 

Then he quips in, "yes, I've had to wear this because no one seems

to be doing the laundry around here anymore."

Nice.  

{oh, yeah, I forgot about that}

8:27 pm - Me:  Evan stop playing that game and go brush your teeth, it's bedtime.

8:28 pm - Evan is still playing.  Me:  Evan stop playing that game, it's bedtime.  Evan:  can I try this one more time, it doesn't take very long.  Me:  No, Evan.  Are you obeying right away, all the way and with a happy heart?                                                          

8:29 pm - Evan:  ohhhhhhhhh noooooooo, I forgot about that.  Me:  What part did you mess up on?   Evan:  well, all of it really.  But, it isn't really my fault because  it's been like a year since you used that on me.   Me:  Do you think you should start back at it?   Evan:  yea, pretty much.

Breathe.

{great day}

Today was a really, really great day. 

I plan on wallowing in it all week as the week ahead

does not look too appealing. 

Our sermon today was great.  We are still in

Ephesians and I'm soaking in every word. 

Now, to apply it like I should. 

And, we started our new Life Group class today.

It was somewhat bittersweet as we left the one

we had been in since we began at FBG. 

Although, for a significant amount of time we 

have not even been hit or miss in our old class -

 more like miss and miss some more.  Terrible actually.

But, we started fresh today and absolutely loved it and

am looking forward to the new journey.  It is

focused on parenting, particularly middle school parenting.

Troy quoted  a portion of the following from J.C. Ryle and

it hit my heart directly....and, I know it will be read over

and over by me for many years to come.....

“Precious, no doubt, are these little ones in your eyes; but if you truly love them, then often think about their souls. Nothing should concern you as greatly as their eternal destiny. No part of them should be so dear to you as that part which will never die.

“This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all that you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, ‘How will this affect their souls?’

“A true Christian must not be a slave to what’s currently ‘in-fashion,’ if he wants to train his child for heaven. He must not be content to teach them and instruct them in certain ways, merely because it is customary, or to allow them to read books of a questionable sort, merely because everybody else reads them, or to let them form bad habits, merely because they are the habits of the day. He must train with an eye to his children’s souls. He must not be ashamed to hear his training called odd and strange. What if it is? The time is short—the customs of this world are passing away. He that has trained his children for heaven, rather than for the earth—for God, rather than for man—he is the parent that will be called wise in the end.”

~ J.C. Ryle

Awe. 

   I have only  read a bit about J.C. Ryle, but, it looks as though I will be reading more.
From what I have quickly read, his writings are very intriguing. 

And, from a little research,  there is a lot to read by this man.

But, how true is the above??  It made me stop dead in my tracks and really
examine some things in my life.......our family life.   It is amazing how even
 the smallest decisions we may make on a day to day basis as just part of the
 ebb and flow can/may/will have a most definite impact on their literal souls.  

Yes, my perspective changed instantly. 
We didn't really discuss the following, but, I have
been pondering it all day.  And, likely will be all night.

 I think I've always tried to be the best mom I could with their souls 
always very apparent to me.  I've always tried to make the moments
 matter, etc.

But, it was easier to keep my eye on the prize when
 I was thinking in those terms with my "mom-brain." 
But, this quote took me much deeper. 
What about the "little things"
that I may personally do, or not do;
those things that are not necessarily associated
with me being their mom,
but maybe as a friend, wife or daughter.  
The things they see or hear me do, or maybe the things
that only I would know about such as holding grudges, judging, 
holding onto bitterness..."the hidden things".

The things that actually separate me from God. 
They don't have to be one of the "big ten" to be 
disastrous nonetheless.  And, honestly, those are probably
the most dangerous of all to all of those around us. 

Things I think they may not be aware of because I'm not necessarily
 in mommy-mode when I am harboring them.  
If I am separated, how can I effectively be cultivating the utmost of their little souls?

The truth is, I can't.

  Every moment matters. 
Every thought counts. 
 Every unconfessed sin corrupts.

Yes, this mommy had a major eye-opening experience as
I fought back the tears when I heard the above quote. 
 It took me to a much deeper examination of my own heart.  
Because if my heart is not in the right place, how can I help 
authentically lead theirs to the right place.

The eternal place.

Heavy? Yes.  

Easy? No.

But.......I'm honored to be the one. :)

A definite work in progress.

{it's a keeper!}

LOVE!

This is definitely a "where have you been all my life?" find. 

Apparently hair masks = moisture and not necessarily for repair such as

intense conditioners.  Well, whatever this is for....I love it.  I read

amazing reviews and although I used to be a Pantene girl years ago,

I veered away from it for whatever reason.  I still use different shampoos

and conditioners, however, they are also carrying the shampoo and conditioner

in the above - so, I'm sure I'll be trying that in the near future, and, I'll let

you know.  But, I use the mask about once a week and it is amazing.

And, it smells good. ;)  I threw that in because usually if I like 

a hair product I HATE the smell, not this one though.  Very nice!

But, the results are smooth and soft hair that feels very well conditioned.   

For whatever, reason, I've been on a growing it out kick and haven't

even had a trim this summer.  

{not saying I don't need one, just haven't had one}. 

But, I really like this so well, I think I'll probably always have it around.

If you try it out, let me know what you think!

And, remember, this is my opinion only;  I just wanted to share

some great finds with my friends. :)