He Provides

It never ceases to amaze me how God provides.  I don't know why I continue to doubt and get all worried and anxious- He's provided for our every need, every time and yet I always worry over situations as if I just have NO idea how it could ever work out.  When will I learn?  How many times does He have to prove Himself to me?

This past year was my first year of working part time.  Most of you know,  I work several different jobs in order to be able to do my favorite job full time- being a Mom!  It's been a year of amazement for us in how God not only has provided for our every need, He's provided most, if not all, of our wants too.  We knew how much all of these different incomes needed to amount to and God knew too.  He is faithful. 

My thoughts on this stem from our most recent provision.  I had asked the girls in my Bible study to please pray that I would get some real estate business.  It's summer, school's out, and I had extra time on my hands to be working as a realtor. 

The girls prayed and that weekend I did phone duty for my real estate company.  Usually phone duty is not very productive and to be honest, can be a waste of weekend time.  I don't do it very often.  However, that weekend I signed up.  I only got three calls all weekend.  BUT, one of them wanted to see a Nix listing.  Unfortunately, it was already under contract.  I offered to send her some others to look at, and she called the next day to go see three.  She fell in love with one of them and three days later put in an offer.  We closed Friday.  It was a totally unexpected blessing and complete provision on His part. 

Even as I write this I notice my word choice above- "totally unexpected" and I go back to my original thought- why would I NOT expect God to provide for us?  Would He really do any less?  Never. 

Freeze

Tonight we went to dinner with Mimi at a quaint Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.  They had live music and the singer played "Just the Way you Look Tonight".  At that very moment, Lizzy was quietly playing Peek a Boo with us using the tablecloth to hide her face.  One of us would ask "where's Lizzy??" and she'd pull back the tablecloth to reveal her face with the most gigantic smile you've ever seen.  I thought to myself, "freeze". 

I wanted to freeze that moment in time and remember, just as the song that was playing says, "just the way you look tonight".  That precious smile that lights up her face.  She sheer delight at a simple game of Peek a Boo.  The pride on her daddy's face.  The adoration on her Mimi's.  It wasn't any kind of big to do or grand celebration, just a casual dinner but one that ended with a moment that will forever be a snapshot in my mind. 

"Freeze"- I don't want her to grow up.  Don't want to face the inevitable milestones to come that mean she's growing up- sending her off to preschool, Kindergarten, facing friendship issues and catty girl problems.  I want her to forever stay that joyful little girl with soft curls and hairbows that delights herself in a game with a tablecloth. 

Outlet Trip

Today we headed to the outlet malls to meet up with my aunt/uncle and three cousins that were in town from Dallas.  We hadn't seen them in a while and Lizzy absolutely loved all of the attention!  She is a girl after her Mama's own heart- she loves nothing more than a day with the girls out shopping and having lunch.  Apples don't fall far from the tree! 

Unlike her Mommy, Lizzy has developed quite a sense of style for herself.  The crazier and more dramatic the better!  Why wear only one bow when you could fit several on your head?  One outfit on at a time is just boring.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the layered look in cool weather but wearing PJs over your shorts/tshirt in 102* weather is just not gonna work!  Today in one of the stores, Lizzy was walking around and looking as she was carefully selecting every crazy colored piece of clothing in the store!  She would bring it up to me and hold it close to her chest and hug it as if to say, "Oh Mommy, I just HAVE to have this one, I love it SO much".  She can't even talk in phrases but thus it begins.....

Productive Day

Well it definitely helps to blog about your goals and then hit "publish" to the Internet!  I was held accountable and accomplished a LOT on my clean out project today.  Many thanks to my sweet mom for entertaining my "assistant" while I worked fast and furious!  I still have two closets to go but have already finished 3.  Over half way!  Woohoo!  I'll be ready for a garage sale when the cooler weather finally arrives.

Tonight I got out of the house for a little bit and went to Bible study.  I was SO looking forward to it all day.  It always refreshes me and as much as I love my precious family, I enjoy the hour and a half of "me time" where I can learn more about God's word without distractions. 

Tonight's lesson was on Quiet Times.  I have recently been committed to my quiet time and was so glad to get new ideas to incorporate.  I find that first thing in the morning is the best time for me to do this.  It's amazing how God has been continually waking me up at 6:30 so I can spend the time with Him before everyone else stirs.  It amazes me that the Lord gives me the energy throughout the day to keep getting up earlier.  I LOVE to sleep and it's hard for me to pull myself out of bed.  But, I am such a better wife and mommy when I do.  Having those moments with God first thing sets my attitude in the right direction- I can't promise I stay there all day (or even for 5 minutes some days) but it's the best chance I've got.  I've seen Him answer my prayers too many times not to think this worthwhile. 

Summer Vacation

IS ALMOST OVER and I have not come anywhere near finishing my house clean out project!  In fact, it really just started TODAY- what have I been doing ALL SUMMER?  In my defense, we started off the summer with our house for sale.  Now that's off the market and we've decided to stay here I am looking at it with new purpose- CLEAN OUT CLOSETS and make better use of the space we have.  We have more than enough space for our small family.  So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet with myself- I will not rest until the job is complete.  I made good progress today thanks to my sweet mom.  Everything WILL have a place and it will stay in it's place.  I'm sure that no one cares to read about this but I have to publish my mission to the Internet and then it's "real".  There's no turning back now.

June

I can't believe June is already almost over!  Where did it go?  We've been so busy, summer is just passing us by.  Lizzy and I have set a goal that we (and I mean, me) will accomplish one house project every day.  Some days we do small projects like changing out all of the burned out ceiling lightbulbs and somedays we clean out Daddy's toolshed (now THAT was an act of love).  Having a project every day helps me to work through my To-Do list because I could very easily sit down and play and read with Lizzy all day and not accomplish one thing! 

We've been doing some swimming trying to beat this outrageous heat.  Our sweet friends have been so nice to let us come over and let Lizzy swim in their pool.  Lizzy loves swimming but she is really excited about the Goldfish snack that this special friend leaves out for her.  Here's a picture of Lizzy wanting to help water the flowers at our friends house:

In other not so worthy news, tomorrow is my 30th birthday.  I can remember thinking that 30 sounded so OLD.  Now that I'm actually here, I don't think there's anything old about 30.  In fact, I think this will be my best decade yet.  God has blessed me with so much.  I have a wonderful husband and a precious child- what more could I want?  

Summer

Summer is finally here and ohhhh how great it is!  I am LOVING every minute of my full day with precious Lizzy.  This time with her is such a blessing.  She is such a little person now and is fun to be around! 

Lizzy is 16 months old today and is 100% all girl.  She's very in to hair bows and shoes right now.  She spends her day wanting to switch bows, add another on the other side, or change shoes.  It is very disappointing to her that she can only wear two shoes at a time!  It is very scary for her Daddy to see her already this in to accessories! 

This was really our first true week of vacation.  We've been going on a daily hour long walk with Mimi every morning to get in some exercise to start our day.  Then Lizzy and I have been doing at least one house project every day.  We are working on cleaning out, straightening up, etc.  Lizzy can be an excellent helper but is most helpful when she takes a long afternoon nap so Mommy can work a little faster! 

We are looking forward to more summer fun to come!  Tomorrow we are going to work on a Father's Day project for Daddy!

Lizzy enjoying her lazy boy chair Daddy gave her!