Burn Out

It's taken me a while to get back to my blog. I haven't been feeling myself for the past few weeks. I have found it amazing what stress can do to the body. I was even convinced I might be pregnant but three pregnancy test later it is a definite no!! Swoo!!! I was sweating bullets on that one! I am typically easy going and no worries kind a gal' but not lately. James was even feeling very similar. So I know what I do when I get stressed and I'm guessing we all have different ways of dealing. But you best believe I am eating the most unhealthy thing I can find. All I can say is thank God I am not typically this way. I couldn't survive!

It has taken me until today to really try to chill out about all the stress. I am slowly getting myself back on track with eating healthy and taking vitamins again and increasing physical activity. My wii comes in handy for the exercise, especially on evenings or mornings before work that I do not feel like leaving the house.

I remember in Sunday School, maybe a month ago, we were talking about what people worried about. And of course, I am sitting there thinking that I typically am not a worrier. I guess you would call me the "situational worrier". I do not worry about day to day things, but when it comes to unexpected events it's a different story. I have to say I am disappointed in myself for these past few weeks. I have not taken my own advice like I would give someone else dealing with stress. I have tried dealing with my stress in my own way day after day and it has not gone away. I am ashamed to admit that I have not even prayed on a daily basis for God to take my stress away, not everyday. I have not been persistent in something that I truly needed. Someone who is all powerful and could take my stress away in an instant, I did not pray and ask for his help regularly. It's amazing to me how much strength I think I have in myself at times with out giving God the credit. It is God who has given me the strength to continue despite the stress filled weeks I have had. I fail to thank Him during times like these for the things that I have been blessed with.

For the longest time I knew there were little things that were just adding up to my stress level but when I just couldn't get past it all I realized I was just burned out. It is that time of year again and I can NOT wait for vacation. I am in desperate need of one like never before. My whole family is in need of it. In need of a time to get away from all schedules and to do exactly what we WANT to do TOGETHER as a family. It's sad that this time rarely even comes once a year for the length of time we will be taken. But I am thankful that it is coming and I know that I will make it. I have been feeling better today and have been doing a much better job taking care of myself with things I typically postpone. With all the stress, I was desperately needing to get back into the Chiropractor routine and I have finally done that. It's amazing what a few crackings of the neck can do!

Psalm 18:32 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

So after these past few weeks I will pick myself up again and dust myself off and refocus my eyes on God for they have not been focusing there as often as they should.

Madison With A New Skill

Today was Madison's first day roller skating!

We were both completely wore out after roller skating! I was so proud of her how she learned so quickly. I think the roller skating thing will become a regular activity for us!

Is It Date Night Yet?

I woke up today just really missing my husband. Even though we have not been apart other than for work, I missed him. We are finding it more and more difficult to make sure we get in our date nights. We both agreed last night we have got to do a better job of scheduling our date nights before other events take its place. We find ourselves having this conversation almost regularly. It’s so important that as a couple, and especially a couple with a child, that we do not forget who we are as just “James and Andrea”.

Riding to work the other morning I was listening to a Christian radio station and it was talking about marriage. It said one of the main reasons that some Christian marriages end in divorce is because couples are putting all of their efforts into the children and forgetting about each other. When couples no longer have their children to focus on, they realize they do not know the person in front of them. I think so many couples have the best of intentions in making sure they are being the best parents they can but forget that sometimes the best thing they can do is model to their children a healthy Christian marriage. I know for James and I, Madison is a huge part of us, and rightfully so. She is very special to us and such an amazing joy to have! But there has to be a middle ground. One of balance between time spent with the children and time spent alone with your spouse.

Having a child is such a wonderful thing, but you have to keep your priorities right. James and I both find it important that we model to Madison how a husband and wife should treat each other. So in my rambling tonight, I just want to make sure that you and your spouse take time for each other. James and I will very soon be planning a date night for just us. I woke up this morning and told him I was ready for a hot date! I am convinced I have the best husband in the world and I know that I am only blessed as much as I am because of God.

A Special Day

I am currently hearing loud crashing sounds upstairs...which tells me that instead of Madison falling asleep that she has convinced her daddy it's play time! They are too funny together. Let's just say Madison has her daddy wrapped around that little finger of hers. I have been taking some time to focus on my family and other blessings that God has blessed me with this week. I felt like I had been spending too much time blogging on a daily basis. It was a good break this week. I thoroughly enjoy blogging, however, sometimes it can become a bit consuming.

I felt like I had a few other things I could take care of instead of taking time to blog this week so I did. I pray that as I continue to blog that God uses my life as an encouragement to someone else. Now I can not say that I have lived this long difficult life that would be a tremendous example for someone else but I have had my struggles. God has blessed me tremendously. And though right now, I am on a mountain, I know there will be valleys to come. I can not help to think what some of my posts on my blog would have read if I had started blogging a few years ago. But I am excited how God continues to grow my desires for different things. I never thought that I would openly share my life with others via the Internet. But I am convinced that it is just another way of witnessing as we live in a world that has gone cyber.

And speaking of focusing on some of God's blessings this week, tomorrow I will be spending the day with lots of family in celebration of Mother's Day. The day is for my grandma Grace as we celebrate having her this Mother's Day. I think everyone will feel a sense of hope and joy in Christ tomorrow as we realize the reason she is still here. A lot of us struggled seeing her in the hospital and struggled with many questions to why she would go through what she went through, but in looking back I can see God's hand in so many different things. I am so very thankful for everyone who had a part in her recovery. So I am excited about tomorrow and bringing all of our families together to enjoy the day. I am looking forward to taking lots of pictures! And of course, Madison is excited to get to play with everyone and has already decided she wants to wear a sun dress!

The End Result

What if we never made a change again? We continued living life just as we are today. Would you be happy with the end result? Think back to this morning and the food you ate for breakfast. Look at your food choices for the rest of the day. Would you be happy with the end result of the physical you if you continued to eat the same? What about financially? What if you continued to spend your money just as you are today? Would you be happy with the end result? What if we continued to parent just as you do today, spending the same amount of time with our children and using the same behaviors in front of our children? Would you be happy with the end result? What if you continued spiritually just as you are? What if today repeated on a daily basis. Think back to the start of your day and how many conversations you have had with God. What if you made the same decisions for the rest of your life whether it represented what pleased God or not? Repeating the same actions and words. Would you be happy with the end result?

Some of us do live the same day over and over. It's hard to change from what we are use to living on a daily basis. It's hard to change what was modeled to us either from family or the friends we chose to hang around. Change is difficult. Change is not the "popular" choice. But if we find ourselves not currently pleased with our physical appearance, our financial situation, our parenting skills, our walk with God, etc., then maybe change is going to be necessary to reach some sort of acceptance of where we are at. Maybe change is what it will take to see some sort of growth in the direction we desire. 2 Corinthians 5:7 & 8 of the Message Version of the Bible says this: "It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us?" Making changes in our life requires faith. We have no clue what will happen the next day if we choose to live it differently but know that if you are looking at God while making that change, God will see you through it. There may (and will be) difficult times or "ruts in the road" that will cause you to want to give up and go back to the same living that you were dissatisfied with. But keep pushing and keep trusting. Then tell me what you see the end result to be.

She's A Good Mom

I rediscovered my competitive side today!! Besides the fact that I am not very good at softball I did at least enjoy my day in the sun! Sunscreen and water and I was good to go. We had a church softball game today and a cookout afterwards. Love days like that! Lots of good conversations and just a chance to get to know everyone a little bit better. But I think my favorite part of the day was the short time I spent with my mom.

Madison spent the day with her grandma and had a blast. So I saw mom just prior to leaving the house and then returned home and Madison was sleeping. With Mother's Day coming up I find it good timing to say that I have a wonderful mom. I am blessed to have her. I look up to her like no other person. She is hardworking and giving. She has been such a good grandmother to Madison by spending time with her especially when we are needing someone to watch her. I spoke with a friend today who does not have her mom anymore but can remember when her mother would watch her kids for her and she spoke about cherishing that time. I could not imagine not having my mom. She is absolutely the world to me and I hope that I take advantage of my time with her. Madison loves her grandparents and especially enjoyed her day with her grandma. Not to mention grandma lets her eat all the cookies her little heart desires!! But that's what so great about being a grandma I guess!

I am looking forward to the big Mother's Day event that we have with all our family this coming weekend to spend with family and friends that we do not see everyday. Thank you Lord for my life and your timing. Thank you Lord for the people you place in my life especially my mom. I would not have picked anyone else for the spot :)