My Prince is the Bomb

So, most of my posts are kind of sweet, a little sappy. And if you look at the blogs I follow, they are about home, parents, gardens, all the things I want to be. A really organized home maker, an avid gardener - that is environmentally conscious, and a wonderful parent. But what I am is LUCKY! Go to the blog "Chronicles of Watson Way" to see my prince... he is a hottie, and let me tell you, there is more to him than just good looks. He is wonderful! We have had a rough go of it lately. The economy is really getting to us. But my prince, he wasn't rattled by it... he started making plans. Plan A plan B plan C, D, E... I laugh when he gets to plan Z but what I really feel is so thankful. Thankful to have a man who cares for his family, who wants to provide, and who always needs a goal. He puts his mind to anything and accomplishes it! He has made the best of these hard times, he suffered like many, but found many many alternatives to survive. I am so blessed to have this man in my life. He loves God, he loves his girls, and he loves me... what is that about?! How did I get him, I don't deserve him, but am sure glad I have him, and since I do, I think I will go cuddle up next to him! Later...

The "eyes" have it

Some days I barely survive! Today was that kind of day. Work was really good, then off to what should have been a really great afternoon, but I let things get in the way of that. LONG story short, I came home fit to be tied. My poor prince caught the brundt of that (as usual). We did some chores, got the girls to bed, and my prince with them, and now I am sitting alone in my quiet house, really loving every minute of it. Kind of reminiscing about when it was always this quiet and I am scrolling through pictures on the computer, looking at my life caught on these images, and I see this one. My newest princess, and the eyes catch me! I am done reminicing about quiet, and simple, and clean, and organized, and I am reveling in messy, loud, disorganized, and full of life. How could you look at that face and want anything else? I will save neat, and calm for retirement. Right now give me loud, messy, and LOVED!

Rainy Days

Lots of people get the blues on Rainy Days. And I must admit after several days in a row, I do too. But today I don't mind. My girls are sleeping, and I am avoiding the growing chore list. But that is ok. Rainy days make me lazy, I read magizines, talk to my husband, and just chill. I start day dreaming about places I want to go, or things I want to do to the house and get caught up in an undercurrent of "I wants" pulling me further and further from reality, until I find my self surfing the internet looking at new homes or wanting to knock out a wall at my house and put in a luxury master bath with a jetted tub. I continue on this wave until something like looking away from the computer to a HUGE stack of papers on the desk pulls me back to reality. Then I look from the papers over to the bulletin board that displays a penguin my daughter made that has her handprints for feet, and a picture made in Sunday School of a cross on a hill. Then... I pause... and think about what I am dreaming of... and realize... I have everything I have ever dreamed of. Yes, I really do like rainy days.

My Life Now

I am not a blogger, I think that is evident by the fact that I just posted a blog written in october 1 month after my second child was born, however, I really like the idea of journaling. Here is what is going on in my life. We have two children now and that has rocked our world, however, it has made it better than I could imagine. I am loving life. Prince Charming has gotten a pretty sizeable pay cut at work, so we have gotten creative, and found blessings in that. I have started making our own baby food, which is really easy. I will post some of the favorites. I have also started making our own laundry detergent which is easy too (that idea is thanks too a very frugal and inspirational family member :) ) I can post that link too. There are just little things I find myself doing, that have really changed our lifestyle, and I promise to try to start posting them. If they help others, that would be worth all this blogging thing.

Lindholm Party of Four

Welcome (we'll call her Belle), our newest family member. I cannot believe she is here, it seems just yesterday I was looking at a positive pregnancy test - yet at the same time, I cannot remember life without her. We welcomed her on in September. Before she came, I couldn't imagine I could love anyone like I love Cinderella, and now, I love her as much as I love Cinderella. It's really amazing. You meet a man, become friends, find out he's your soul mate, and get married. You cannot imagine life without him, and wonder how you can love someone so much! Then out of that love comes a child, your first child... apple of your eye, and you look at her, and think, "I only thought I knew what love was" she is perfect, and everything she does is amazing, and you are truly fulfilled. Then as she starts to grow, that yearning comes back, you want another "little" baby, you need to grow your family. Then bam! another bundle is on the way, and you wonder how you can love her like the first. Then comes the day she enters this world, and your heart has done it again, it has grown in love once more. Grown enough to embrace this new miracle with as much joy and amazement as the first. God is amazing. How much more does He love us, if he can give us the capacity to love like this. It's a blessing! I am Blessed!

Why Am I Here

I am a United Methodist. I actually never thought of myself as that until recently when I walked in to the church we attend and realized it's my church. My daughter was baptized there, prince charming and I have made our dearest friends there, and I actually work there. It is ours. Well actually it's God's - but He led us to it and gave us a place to belong. As a part of my church, I attended the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church this weekend. Most of it is one big Business meeting, but there were bits and pieces of it that really spoke to me. There were those who were ordained into the ministry that were younger than me this weekend. Imagine being that focused and sure of your path in life that you commit before God to serve Him daily - as a career. Did you hear what I just said? Should you have to be ordained into the ministry to do that? NO is the answer. All Christians are called to be ministers, I should be that way - Committed to serve Him daily for the rest of my life. That commitment or lack of it on my behalf really got me thinking. What mark am I making on this world? Or as my pastor would say "How am I building the Kingdom?" I honestly don't know. I heard testimony from some who went to Panama to build dorms for children to attend a camp. Some who have been to Zimbabwe, and many who serve right in our home town. I asked myself - where am I serving. What am I doing of value? You are asking - Why are you posting this?- I am posting it as a type of confession/accountability. I am going to change this path I am on. I am going to build up His Kingdom aside from my normal commitments, I am going to let God use me and see what happens. I am going to participate in our next local mission project at my church. That is my first step. Stay tuned for how that turns out. I know that raising a family immersed in the Word and doing my job to the best of my ability are both "Kingdom Building" but I think God has more for me and just now at my age, I am open to it. I will let you know how that goes.

The Perfect Day

"This is the Day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24

We should rejoice in every day, but sometimes it's easier than others. This was a day to rejoice. A day to thank God for pouring out his blessings upon us! It was a day to stand back and realize that God is Good and the love we have for our children is His way of giving us even a glimpse of His deep love for us. I didn't even begin to understand the love of Christ had for me until I had a child.

Saturday we went to the zoo. It was wonderful. We got there early, so we could see the sites before it got busy. The monkeys were the favorite, but the kangaroos came in a close second! Cinderella and I both tire easlily so we skipped "Africa" and went for the the water area next. Cinderella laughed and ran and played so hard, she couldn't keep her eyes open through lunch. It was a gift to watch your child feel be so carefee, so full of life and so energetic. I love her more everyday. It makes every day a gift, and I truly do rejoice in it!