early morning prayers

I keep coming back to this passage:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6,7

This is my third week of getting up at 4:45 am to run with a friend(s) by 5. It has turned out to be some of my most favorite parts of my day. The best part being awake and exercised by 6 to spend some quiet time with God. The whole early morning with Him and exercise is so simple...that it is often written off...at least for me. Not to mention that I am now in a new season of life...my children are sleeping through (most of) the night. They are five and almost seven.

My prayers this morning are for God to continue to work in/through my family. It truly seems that He is preparing our hearts to possibly adopt. The kids and I are fully on board...OA...well...he will always be our reality compass...but he seems open...just not realizing it yet. This morning I was overwhelmed to pray that God prepare the child who may be brought into this family...and prepare us to receive him/her. This is an area that I want to not put my hands on...not manipulate the outcome...rather...fully trust and rely and listen.

I pray for my husband to continue to lead...and listen...and love us. He is turning into this incredible man...I cannot even describe the remarkable changes in his heart...it is all God. I am so thankful.

I pray that God would continue to be smack dab in the center of our home...our lives...our schooling. That my children would eternally seek Him. That this magical unexplainable love for Him...awe of Him...would never ever leave their hearts, minds, soul.

I don't even know what to pray in regards to autism anymore...J-bob just seems so perfect...in his imperfection. I forget we even live a special needs life. There are jabbing reminders everynow and then...but they bounce off...usually...because in the grand scheme of it all...he is in love with his saviour...and exhibits Light and Love like very few. He is so much in the world yet so not of the world...why would I ever pray to recover that? I am simply thankful that God has healed his body...that he is eating healthy foods...that his skin is clear and his immune system is working...that his mind and heart are with us. My eternal thanks.

For my daughter...my precious mirror of my soul. sigh. I am so thankful for the relationship that has grown between us...may it only deepen with time. I am thankful for the opportunities she gives me to see God and a daddy through fresh eyes. She is beyond a joy. My princess.

For my friends, family, neighbors, enemies...may God shine Light, Love, and Hope into their lives.

in His Precious Name.

Taking a break

Well, as if it is not obvious...I am having to take a blog break. My life is simply so very full right now. Full in a good way. Very good.

God is absolutely amazing. I am finally not closing my eyes...holding my breath...waiting for the good to disappear. He is good no matter what. My heart has always known that...but my head is just now wrapping itself around what that means. So on the good days and the bad days...I am standing firm on/in His goodness!

Thank you all for your faithful prayers. I will continue to drop in on your blogs! And I am hoping that come summer...I may have more "blog time"!

half marathon

oh wow...

i did it.

i had rsv...have rsv...my lungs are killing me...but i did it.

not alone...

with incredible friends and my brother ran it, too.

so tired and will post pics as i get them.

thanks for love and prayers!

unwell homeschooling mama's substitute

well...in no particular order of importance...i am thankful for these conveniences in my life as i am fighting an upper respiratory battle before my half marathon:

• right start math (kids begged to stretch math into twice the allotted time)

• amelia bedlia (jaden read half of the book without complaining!)

• wii (no explanation needed)

• crock pots (really makes me question my strong desire to homestead in the future...i mean really if i had to pedal for my own electricity today...we'd be using candles!)

• garden bath tub (hour of play for kids)

• Lego's (again...no explanation necessary)

• mr. popper's penguins (kids LOVE this story)

• books on CD (almost listened to complete story of THE LION, THE WITCH, and THE WARDROBE in the last two days)

• QUIET TIME!!!!

may this day never be forgotten

i woke at 5 am to the smell of coffee...OA conceded to the purchase of a programmable coffee maker. ahhh...the little things in life.

i went to the gym and ran my pathetic 2 miles in my only attempt to follow my half marathon training schedule...gotta love the taper (half marathon on sunday...so not ready)!

came home smiling from the few stolen moments with two lovely ladies...also gyming it way too early.

decided that i would bless OA, as yesterday was one big wonderful-husband-blessing-wife-moment after another. i love it when he cleans, cooks, and reads to our children! so the kiddos and i made him breakfast in bed, complete with hot sauce and diet dr. pepper (don't get me started)...they made him cards which prompted to my making a card...followed by a back massage. he said it was the "best morning ever".

i guess it's true...to raise a servant...you must be a servant.

my children decided to surprise the OA and i by making our bed for us. the duvet was upside down...which made it even more special.

they later decided that they wanted to serve me...they brought out our home-made jello and several glasses of water and mermaid insisted that i let her play with my hair (really, daughters are SO MUCH FUN!).

my son has eaten: breakfast sausage, rice cake with jelly, carrot sticks, jello, stove popped popcorn, pepperonis, and lasagna...all today. that is more than he used to eat in a combined year...variety wise.

my children, husband, and i are all bearing fruit for this season. i take the good days with the bad. today...well...it has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. how i celebrate the moments with my precious family.

may your days find you equally as blessed.