JUST REDICULOUS!!!!

Why is it that I haven't posted in EXACTLY a month? Why is it that I seem to never have time to fully enjoy my blogging experience? I don't know, exactly, but it's rediculous. Just REDICULOUS. I simply need to get better at this, and hopeful through divine intervention I will.

So what's been going on the last month? Well, I've averaged 24 hours a week working, which in my book is bordering on too much, Skyler has been having a blast at Mother's Day Out and playing with her sitters Loren and Ariel, we've had a garage sale, we've attended our nephew's birthday party, I've been hard at work with our youth choir (called Motion) practicing and planning outreaches and organizing door prizes for our Women of Highland Women's Retreat, I am attending a great bible study on the Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore, Coby took a "business trip" to Denver to learn about orthopedic stuff...and ski for two days on a beautiful mountain with perfect powder, and I got the privilege of attending the Women of Faith Conference with my mom, sister, aunt, and grandma last weekend. We also had another sonogram of our sweet Chloe Grace, and she's nearly 2 lbs., VERY active, and has a gorgeous profile. We're counting down the days until she's here...probably me more than anyone. It's hard to believe I've only got 15 weeks to go!!

So, in looking at all the things I've been doing, I guess it's fair to say I've been busy. Let me apologize to all my friends and family who diligently check my blog only to be DISAPPOINTED when it looks the same. FOREVER. I've been exceptionally tired at night lately, and Skyler has had some issues going to sleep all by herself in her princess bed lately, so before I know it, the day is done, and I'm asleep right along with her. I guess I need to look for other times to blog.

OK--for those who tagged me to write seven wierd things about myself...

1. I rub my right foot back and forth in bed at night before I fall asleep. I don't know why I do it, but I've done it since I was a kid. Strange.
2. I have one attached ear lobe and one that is not attached. This is a genetic anomoly and shouldn't be able to happen, but I guess it does.
3. I have one foot that looks like my mom's, and one that looks like my dad's.
4. I don't get squimish about snakes--I actually think they are kind of cool--but I'm incredibly scared of spiders. I would even wrap myself up in my sheets at night as a kid, kind of like a mummy, so that if a spider tried to get to me while I slept, I'd be safe.
5. I really like the smell of gasoline, although I've managed all these years to only smell it from a safe distance. It can really mess you up to smell the stuff out of confined containers, although at times it has been tempting!! :) (Just kidding.)
6. I really hate floating things in drinks, which is unfortunate for a pregnant mom of a toddler who insists on drinking out of a "big girl cup" while she has a mouth full of food. It's led to many a gagging session the past few months. And my drink has been TOTALLY off limits. I also have a hard time letting Skyler look dirty. She's a kid, I know, but even getting dirty at dinner is hard for me.
7. I tend to do everything the hardest way possible. Usually totally by accident, but still. It's hard.


For those who tagged me to write about The Things I love...
* coffee
* chocolate
* taking naps with my babies
* being outside on a beautiful day
* sleeping in a freshly made bed with good-smelling sheets
* the sun
* my friends
* time with my husband
* roses
* ice cream
* music, music, music!! My new fav is worship leader Kari Jobe.
* my new minivan
* my dog Bogey
* Skyler's laugh
* working with kids

I could list a million other things, I think. There's really not much I don't like, but since I'm trying to cram a month worth of blogs in one entry, I better stop while I'm ahead. :)

For those who expect deep insight....

more to come on this, but God is taking me through some very important life lessons right now. One is to look to him, not my circumstances, and the other is to discover the meaning of HOPE in my own life.

In my bible study this semester, we are focusing on the Psalms of Ascent, which are the psalms sung by the Jews on their pilgrimage back to Israel after captivity in Babylon. I love the parallels that I'm drawing between the words of these praises to the Father and the situations in my present-day life. I am realizing how much I stay in the here and now, dwelling on my circumstances and rarely looking into the eyes of my Abba Father to focus on his goodness to me, his mercy, his provision, and his love. I have been blown away, also by the amazing companionship I've found in my small group that gets together to discuss the lessons and pray together. What an amazing blessing they've been to share their hearts and lives with me!! It is a great group of women, and I feel so supported by them!! It's comforting to walk through this time in my life with others experiencing the same things.

In addition, I got so much out of the Women of Faith conference last weekend. The main theme was HOPE, and it was amazing the lessons God was teaching me, intertwining all I've been learning in bible study with the truths of God's ultimate DESIRE for our lives.

So the question to consider in my next blog and what I am pursuing in scripture and meditation right now: "What is the difference between hoping and wishing?"

Are you curious? I'll share more soon.

Thank you, dear ones, for putting up with my late-coming blogs!!! Congrats, MIMI, on the new baby!!! We're excited for you!! And I will try with all my might to blog more, and sooner. Please don't give up me!! Visit again soon!!! :)