Sharing Her Heart

Wow, what a weekend. It was very busy, but I sure learnt alot. On Saturday, as most of you know, I attended the Beth Moore simulcast. It was an awesome experience. One that I will probably never forget, especially the part when the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building! We had just come back for lunch and were doing the praise and worship, when suddenly the alarm went off and we were all sent outside. There was no fire that I know of, so we were able to go back in shortly. We thought that we might miss something, seeing how it was a live broadcast, but they were able to pause it and continue where we left off, so we didn’t miss a thing. We were all very thankful. I plan to share what I learnt with you all, but I do need a bit of time to process it all. So please bear with me, it will take me a few days to get it all out. I can, however, share with you the main Bible passages that she used. They were: Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrati...

So, I did it. I committed myself to assist in teaching Sunday School. I’m so excited! I have never taught Sunday school or any kind of school for that matter, so I will be team teaching with a lady in my church.  We will be teaching the grade 6 girls. I can hardly wait to get to know them and to learn from them. This is something that I have done a lot of thinking and praying over for most of the summer and I just wasn’t sure if I could do it. Then my friend suggested team teaching, I thought that was a great idea! Seeing as how I’m not a teacher, I don’t have the confidence or the know how to do it all by myself. I am very glad for this opportunity to learn from an experienced, godly woman.  I wonder what else God has in store for me?  He seems to keep drawing me toward kids. I still don’t know why, I hardly understand my own.  But, I have a great book that is helping me a lot. It’s called “Raising your spirited child” the author is Mary Sheedy Kurcinka  ...

    My children are a handful some days (usually the days that I’m tired and have limited patience), my daughter is ‘spirited’ and my son is just a trouble maker. He loves to make people laugh and does so in a variety of different ways. Take last week for example, He decided to crawl onto our table (which is higher than normal), stand and then touch my light fixtures. Well, the other two babies that I babysit thought this was hilarious, so they would laugh and he would keep doing it. Then mom (me) seeing what was happening, would come take him off the table, tell him to stay off and carry about my business. However, that doesn’t work with him very well. So he would do it all over again and get the same response from his ‘audience’.  Finally, in order to make him stop, I had to put him into his crib where he couldn’t get out. My daughter is very exuberant. Anyone who knows her can attest to that. When she walks into a room, you know .  She is a child who is ‘mo...

   This week were supposed to get really nice weather again, so I probably wont post much. This past weekend we had ‘Fun Days’ in my town. There was all kinds of things to keep you busy. Friday evening was community slo-pitch, and a wiener roast after. Saturday was a free pancake breakfast, a slo-pitch tournament all day, bouncers for the kids, face painting, petting zoo, a flea market, a silent auction, evening entertainment, and so much more. It was a busy place to be! In the morning, we went as a family for breakfast and then my husband went to go help a friend of his, so it was just me and the kids. I took them to the ‘Fun Days’ for lunch and we stayed for a few hours. It was very hot, and they needed naps so we came home and relaxed for the rest of the day. Here are some pictures from our weekend: We ate a lot of freezies, and cotton candy, got our faces painted, and tried to find shade where ever we could! It was a really great day! I love summer festivals, ...

…Speechless. Messy. But, oh so gooey. *Andrea*

We had a couple of things that we did this past weekend. First, Arielle had a baseball ‘jamboree’ on Friday, where they played a baseball game and also they did some different tests (?) to see who could throw the farthest, bat the farthest, run the fastest, etc. Afterwards, all of the kids received medals and t-shirts. It was a really fun time for her. Also, on Saturday, there was a fair in a town nearby that we went to. It was a lot of fun. There was a little of everything…                                               Clowns on Stilts…                                      ...

   Today I need to vent a little, So please bear with me. Lately, I have been having some trouble with my four year old. She has that terrible-two attitude but more extreme. I thought that with her being four, we would be past some of her busy stages of life but they are only beginning again it seems. Every day, my biggest struggle with myself is keeping my frustration under control. She just does so many odd things! Things that don’t make any sense. She knows better, so why does she do them? I just don’t understand her right now, and that’s what frustrates me the most I think. I have to keep reminding myself that she’s testing the boundaries and she’s also learning a lot in this stage that were going through. So, as her mom, I need to try to be more understanding and hang on to every ounce of patience I have left! That’s what I will continue to do. I will also continue to thank God for blessing me with her, even when we go through these difficult times. On the other hand wh...

    I have had a busy week. Actually my daughter has been the busy in my week. I don’t know if she’s going through a phase or what, but she has not been herself lately and It’s been difficult. She has been very mischievous lately and getting into things that she doesn’t normally get into. Maybe it’s because I have been doing a bit more babysitting than normal. Yea, that could be it. Well let’s just add it to one more stage in this roller coaster ride called ‘parenting’. I have been thinking back lately on life before my kids. You know, when the house would never get dirty and you wanted kids to come over so you had something to clean up. Or, Saturday mornings when my husband would sleep til noon and I was SOOOOOO bored. Oh How I wished for a kid to keep me occupied. I used to bang around and make lots of noise just hoping he would wake up! Or, when I would go shopping and there would be no one to say “mommy I have to pee” and you wouldn’t have to search for a bathroom, ...

So, I was gonna write a nice long post today, but then I remembered that I had a bunch of cute pictures in my camera just waiting to be displayed. So, enjoy… I couldn’t think of a cute saying for each picture, cause It would take me a long time. I’m just not witty like that. But, I hope you enjoyed the pics! Have a great day!!

Summer is on it's way!! After our cloudy, rainy week last week it sure is good to see Mr. Sun again! We had a lot of nice weather last weekend so here's a couple of pictures to show you what we did! The kids and I also went for a walk yesterday to watch my brother's baseball game. We only caught the last little bit, but it was a fun walk for us. I think we will probably walk to Arielle's baseball tonight as well.   Also this weekend I sent letters to my 'boys' again. I was actually a week later than usual, so I made sure to have them in the mail by Friday. I'm still waiting for letters from my other two boys (Niyomugabo sent me 1 already!). I check my mailbox every day hoping for something! Psalm 71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Are you hoping for a letter as well? How long has it been since you last received one? Have a blessed day!! * Andrea *

   What a week it's been! It's been really good but really busy. Wednesday Arielle had her first "Learn to play" baseball practice. They had to have it in the arena because it had been raining off and on all day, and was supposed to rain some more. They had cancelled Monday's practice due to weather so I'm really glad that they didn't cancel Wednesday's. It was so cute watching all those little kids running back and forth! Those little minds were hanging onto every word the coach said. So eager to learn! They also had so much energy!! But of course, nothing is ever complete without a meltdown by one of the kids! Well, this time it was mine! Everything seemed fine and then all of a sudden she turns and looks at me and there are tears streaming down her face. So, of course I go to her and this is what she says "that ball was mine!" Apparently some kid took the ball that she had thrown (they all look the same, so I'm not sure how she coul...

    This week has been a bit busier for me. I babysit everyday except tomorrow and then my kids and I will be helping a friend all day (which I'm looking forward to!).  So yea, it's been busy. But it hasn't been without it's rewards and joys. I have been doing more things with Arielle, even though I have extra kids in my house! I'm very amazed that I've been able to find the extra time. It' s good for me and her to strengthen our relationship. One of my many faults as a mother is that I often tell her "I'm busy, we'll do it later", and that's not right. Now when she's young is when I need to build a strong bond with her so that when she's older, she will want to talk with me and share her feelings. 'I' also need to enjoy her childhood as much as she needs to. It is so much fun to just sit with her and not think about my chores. It's great to talk with her and walk with her and teach her as much as I can. I love liste...

   What a great week it's been! Monday was nothing special, just an ordinary day in my household. Tuesday we took advantage of the great weather and spent some time outside. I was also able to get a lot of baking done on Tuesday, even with babysitting my niece! I made 2 kinds of cookies, 2 loaves of lemon loaf and rice krispie squares. It sure is nice having some goodies in the house again! It's been a while since I did any major baking.    On Wednesday, Arielle and I went on a girls morning out. We just went into town to do some shopping. We spent an hour and a half and the local thrift store! I really enjoy shopping there because it's amazing what you can find there for very little money. I bought a pair of Calvin Klein cord pants that look brand new for $2.00! That is not a typo. I was very excited! I also found some other things for me and Arielle found a couple shirts. She was hoping to find a dress, but they didn't have a good selection for any kids s...

    Well, the birthday parties are over for my daughter for now. However, they are just beginning for my niece! She turned 1 today! Happy Birthday Sophia! We love you! Isn't she sweet? She had a great time playing with her cupcake! She made a nice mess too!!  Psalm 139:13-14 " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Have a great day! * Andrea *

    Wow, what a weekend! It was a really great one, but very busy! We had friends from B.C. come out so we were able to spend some time with them and we had a couple of birthday celebrations for my daughter. On Saturday, Tim and I took Arielle to Build-A-Bear Workshop for her birthday gift from us. She had a really good time and chose a very cute lamb. Afterward, we took her out for lunch and then we came home. On Sunday, I took her and 2 friends to the movie theatre to see the movie "Tangled" in 3D. That was a lot of fun! After the movie, we went to Mc Donald's for supper.  The girls had a lot of fun and it was great for me because I didn't have to do it all in my house! Until now, all of her friend parties have been in my house, which is fine but last year we had 10 girls! That is a few too many to try to keep busy and to clean up after. So I thought this year we would do something different. We all really enjoyed it.  The parties are not ov...

 So, last night I went for coffee with a wonderful woman that I met through my church. We had a great time! She borrowed me a book called "Diapers, Pacifiers, And Other Holy Things" by Lorraine Pintus. I have only read a small portion of it but it is a really good book for women, especially mothers who feel: too busy for God but want a relationship with him, taken for granted, invaluable, or who just need a bit more inspiration.   Today I was reading about how the small things that you do for people really do count. You know, bringing someone supper when their sick, a wave to a stranger, a smile to the cashier who is having a rough day, all these things that are so easy (and painless) to do. She says that " God entrusts you with little things to teach you faithfulness in big things. Also, God wants you to see that each little thing you do can have eternal impact". Really? How? Show me. Then she goes on to say that each little thing that we do for othe...

   Today I really didn't know what to write about so I had not planned on posting anything. However, my day ended up being something to write about.   Today I did NOT have to clean my house!! I was very excited. You see, a couple of days ago I got a call from a lady that I know. She's starting her own cleaning business and needed some people to use as references. In return, she would come spend 3 hours cleaning my house! What a treat! It was wonderful, especially after being busy all week.    Then I put my son down for a nap and a little while later he starts calling for me. So, I go in there and not only has he filled his diaper, he's taken it off and there's poop all over! What a sight! It's all over his bed, his crib, even in his hair! What a crazy guy! So, off to the bath with him and now mommy gets to clean up. I guess that's my payback for not having to do any cleaning this morning. He really doesn't care though cause he LOVES the bath. He loves it so...

 There has been a lot of 'pink' happening at my house lately. First, my kids both got pink eye, then last week I decided to give my daughter a pink streak in her hair. She was really excited! I know she doesn't look it but she really does like her pink hair. Then on Thursday my 11 month old niece got pink eye, from my house of course! And to top it all off, yesterday she decided to be so generous and pass it onto me. So, I still have my head cold and pink eye as well! I think it's time for 'pink' to go. It's overstayed it's welcome at my place! The pink hair can stay but any pink infections have got to leave!  On another note, everything else has been same old same old. Nothing too exciting. I'm very glad that the snow is melting! Me and my daughter took the dog for a walk yesterday evening. Well, we tried to walk the dog but she was so excited she walked us! Anyway, it was a nice evening for a walk and we had a good time. I hope your all en...