Leaves changing...lifes changing?

So my adventure that I am on...WOW!!! Amazing!!! I am doing this new study by Beth Moore and loving it!!! 5 Basic Principles and she digs right into them! Exactly what I needed!!

1. God is who he says he is
2. God can do what he says he can do
3. I am who God says I am
4. I can do all thing through Christ
5. God's word is active and alive in me

I'M BELIEVING GOD!!

I have been doing this study for about a month now and I have notice a change in myself...it has been an inner change that people on the outside might not notice and that is OK. Big thing that has changed is my view about myself. I am not saying that I had a bad view about myself but I wasn't trusting God as much as I should have been with his plan for me because I always want answers now! I am sssoooo not the patient person BUT I am working on that. Right now in this moment I am who God says I am...a daughter, a stay at home wife, a stay at home Momma, a homeschooling Momma, a nurse to kiss the boo-boos of my children (and of my family) NOT the RN at the end of my name that tells me that I could be working and taking care of other boo-boos. And I do love it...even the tough moments because I wouldn't want to be somewhere else.

My quiet time with God has become more intense and this is a good thing...also one of the things that I love is that yes I have my quiet time BUT that isn't the only time that I find myself talking and praying to God....AND it isn't always times of "OH PLEASE HELP ME....". I find myself thanking Him more often for my many, many, many blessings. And they are simple blessings like...this mornings devotion for my girls was about not being scared because God is there with you always, right on the morning of vaccine clinic day....the ability to walk and run with my girls....to bake with my oldest and for her to look at me and say "this is the best day ever!"....to be able to breathe!! So many blessings that I could have (and have) taken for granted.

Now if I am going to spout all of this I also have to say...does leaning on God sometimes scare me and make my anxiety go up....yes because I am a huge control freak!! BUT I am working on it because seriously who knows better....God with infinite wisdom and power...or me....not a hard question to answer...just sometimes a hard question to follow ;-)

Testing...

Routine, routine, routine!!! Yay we are back to routine!!! Homeschooling has started in this household and it is exciting. The first day was a little rough BUT day #2 and day #3 have been going very nicely!! I now have a first grader and a preschooler (who can be a little distracting to the first grader but she will learn to adjust). I am excited to see what this year of homeschooling has in store for us.

Now on a heavier note, a new adventure started today and I am still trying to figure out all the thoughts that are going around in my head. I believe that this new adventure will be a great addition to my life. The hard part of this new adventure is that it is going to make me think...and that sometimes can be a little bad for this blogger....actually I should say this non-patient blogger. I know that this is going to make me stronger and develop a closer relationship with God...I also know that this adventure will stretch me emotionally, mentally and possibly physically.

?? First Day of School???

So today was an amazing day and it was spent with three of my most favorite people. We first went hiking a 2 mile loop trail that took us up to a Fire Tower. The view from the top of the tower was beautiful and I almost missed it. Looking at the Fire Tower, it doesn't look that sturdy even though it is. My imagination starts to run wild and that isn't necessarily a good thing. My first thought is that I am not going up there but when you have two little girls that look at you with disappointment in their eyes because you aren't going up I decided to get past my fear. I never used to be scared of heights but as I get a little bit older it seems like some phobias have begun to develop. So up I start this little conquer of my fear. I can feel my heart pounding and I also had to remind myselft that really I probably should concentrate on my feet until I get up on the platform. Up on the platform I get and really the view was worth the heart palpitations. It was beautiful and the girls loved every moment of looking through the binoculars and also a little lesson with a compass. It was a moment that will always be in my heart. We also looked at different types of moss. We also had some fun following a butterfly so that we could get a good picture of the butterfly's markings and colors. After this short hike we then when to the playground so that we could have lunch and then the girls got to play for a little bit. It was so much fun just enjoying the sun with my famiy, cherishing every moment. So now....shall we call this a field trip as an added extra bonus?

CDO...who me?!!

As I am getting closer to our first day of school it seems like I am getting more OCD, I mean CDO...I mean OCD!! My calendar is filling up with colors upon colors! I have a different color for each of us BUT then I have colors for appts that include Alyssa and Tori, or just Ryan and I or for the whole family. I also have a different color for when we are volunteering at church. Right now I have a calendar in outlook on my computer, send everything to Ry's calendar at work and then I also have it set up with a google calendar. I was thinking about having a written calendar that I could have with me at all times BUT I know that what I really really want is a IPhone or blackberry or something like that. So it is a want and not a need so budgetwise, that is something that we just can't swing. The phone isn't the issue but paying for the plan...well that is another story. Maybe someday right? Guess that I might just have to get a book/written one. I know I know...can you get more anal.

I also have our full year of lesson plans done for homeschooling BUT I also do a weekly lesson plan the Thursday or Friday before. This means that usually that full year lesson plan gets changed A LOT. Even though I know this I have to have that yearly one done or I feel like I am completely behind and I am not going to know what I have to do.

I know crazy right?! But what are you going to do......

So I will leave you with a little story. The other day Ry comes home and had gotten stung by a bee while he was driving home on his motorcycle. So there was a discussion about bees and why they sting.

Ryan: (while explaining to Alyssa about that you don't have to be scared of bees) "It is not like a bee says 'Oh I am going to go sting that person'. It happens when the get scared"

Victoria: "Daaaaadddddyyyyy...bees can't talk!!"

Sitting back and relaxing...is that possible?

Hello again! I thought that this week would be a good week to catch up...but first I had to finish the week out!! I knew that I wanted to blog about the events that had happened in the middle of the week but decided, let's finish the week off first. At the beginning of this week I knew that I was going to be teaching Lamaze one night and then all day on Saturday so I was already feeling guilty about not being home with the girls those night. I was thinking this on Sunday and I decided that I was going to stop myself right there and then...I am going to enjoy this week instead of spending it with guilt on my mind. Seriously I have a great time teaching Lamaze and I shouldn't feel bad that I do. I am with the girls a lot and it is OK to work sometimes. So Monday was a little bit of a downer because of the rain BUT the girlies and I snuggled up on the couch and had a movie day. Part of me wanted to clean the house but really thought otherwise...the girls wanted to snuggle and I really want to soak in all those moments. In the back of my mind I was feeling guilty for not cleaning and then again I had to stop myself...seriously girl...you got to just chill and give yourself a break!! Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were great days where the girls and I went to my parent's pool. The girls swam and I sat back on the lounge chair watching them giggle and swim. Friday again we got to play but instead of playing at the pool, we met Ry and my dad at a nearby park where we had a picnic and the girls got to fly their kites. I also got to walk around the park with both of the girls individually...it wasn't a long walk...about 15 minutes...but it was 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with each of them...holding their hands the whole way. Friday night Ry and I met up with another couple and we went to a Minor League Baseball game and the girls had some time with Mimi and Bampy.

Some of my lessons this week: 1) Take the time to slow down because guess what the chores still got done and I had one of the best weeks of this summer with the girls. 2) I really need to make sure that I take time for Ry, this week has been so refreshing for us & I really thought that we couldn't get any closer but we did! 3) Take time for yourself because it is OK to have a job that you enjoy even if it takes you away from you family because realistically I am not away from them that much or that long 4) Sometimes the best things are free so open up my eyes and see them 5) when you take time to slow down you hear the voice of God more and more....even tho you may take time every day to have your "quiet time" with God, slowing things can help you hear him all day long :-)

So my rambling is done. Til next time!

Hahahahahaha

So I thought that I was going to be blogging more and then I stopped again!! But I am back again...for how long...not really sure...how many times a week, a month...still not sure...hehehehe.

Busy busy summer!! Everyone usually always have a busy summer so I figure why should we be any different. The summer started with T-ball games, then church softball games with occasional little league games (which I would have liked to make more of BUT unfortunately schedules were conflicting...better luck next year!!). I was teaching more Lamaze classes this summer so June was a little more busy then last year because of it and then also a wedding a friend. Then July rolls around with the 4th of July and those fun festivities, VBS where we were on a High Seas Expedition to end July with two weddings. One wedding I got the privilege and honor to be the Matron of Honor!! It was a beautiful wedding with a beautiful couple that have put God first with their morals and beliefs. I am so proud to have my children call them aunt and uncle!!

So we have also tried to pack in as much time by the pool as we can and my two little ones are turning into quite the little Nemo's! We have only made it to the beach a couple of times but there is still summer left!

Now we are in August and we are still on the roll. Have a birthday party to plan for my soon to be 4 y.o. and then to pack in as much summer as we can before school starts. Will be teaching Lamaze a little bit more again...also should be studying for certification...in a due time right?!

So hopefully I will be talking to you all sooner than later!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Hey I am still here!!

Today I did a little unit on St. Patrick's Day for Alyssa for homeschooling. We did mazes, word searches, coloring activities and made cupcakes with GREEN frosting! I didn't let the girls know that it was a sugar-free recipe but it is all good! Today was a great day!!

My healthier lifestyle is going great. Homeschooling has it's ups and downs but thankfully there are mostly ups! Things at church are starting to pick up with my responsibilities (can't wait for VBS!), Easter choir for Alyssa. I am going to be working on my Childbirth Educator Certification soon, I have the paper work and now just need to start working on the study guides. Lots and lots of fun!!

So.......I would love to write more but I am off and running!

"Not if Jesus was in the boat with me"

Wow, did my devotion this morning hit me right upside the head! In this devotion, a four year old had faith and the answer without even doubting it. I want that faith! In my head, I know that Jesus is always in the boat with me and that even though I may have fears and worries I shouldn't....but they still come. I know that I am doing better then what I used to do about six years ago. I would agonize about what was to come and sometimes I do find myself starting to go into panic mode but can take a deep breath now and start praying. I never did that before...it has take some time for this control freak to let go (of some...hehehehehe...still a lot of work to be done). But in this devotion this four year said it so matter of factly that I am just in awe...I want to be there...just shrug my shoulders and say, "Jesus will lead me to what I am suppose to do and that I should have no worries, just trust...just faith! WOW...the faith of a child...no wonder Jesus said for us to come to him like children. No wonder I love working in Children's Ministries...their actions are just so genuine and true.

What a weekend!!

What an amazing weekend we had! First on Friday night, Ry and I went to a Mexican restaurant with my BFF and her hubby (Ry's BFF) and two other couples. Oh my lots of laughter all around. There was a guy that was going around singing to the tables and it was a little annoying but at the same time funny (when he was at someone else's table). There one song that this guy did and he made this sound like a donkey! I couldn't believe it...it totally shocked me. I even jumped a little! So of course that just caused some more laughter and stories to tell. The girlies got to go play at their friends house so they were all good and not really ready to go home when we came to pick them up. The next day we spent a lot of time with my mom and dad because the girls had been missing them. We had been seeing them quite a bit and then last week we were just busier than usual and didn't see them....so they were going through Mimi & Bampy withdrawals. It is wonderful to see how much they love them! Then on Saturday night we were went to my BFF's house and had homemade minnestrone soup...it was yummy! Again the girlies got to play with their friends and then the adults play Guesstures (guys vs girls)...the girls kicked some boot-ay! It was great! Sunday morning came and I was working with the kiddos at children's church...they are so much fun!! Then we had my cousin's little girl birthday party, then home for a very quick nap (for the girls) and then Ry was back to youth group.

I did get some exciting news tho...my mom and dad are both really serious about eating healthier and having a healthier lifestyle. I so proud of them both! They have asked me to help get them going and start exercising with them. I usually exercise in the afternoon when the girls are in quiet time but for some reason I had it in my head that I should try to start exercising twice a day...a little in the morning and a little in the afternoon. That would mean that I would have to wake up early and I am not a morning person. BUT I started doing it before I was even approached by mom and with the fact that mom and dad would like me to exercise with them...the morning is really the only possibility. So I am inclined to think that God orchestrated that one (actually no doubt) and it is going to work out well....I will do 30 minutes with mom and dad in the morning...and in the afternoon I will do 30 minutes. I am waiting for my walk away the pounds video so that I can play with that and also with my step. I think that I need to work the Wii back in my exercise routine. My back was having some difficulty with my Gold's Gym work out but I think that the Wii Fit would be good to do some because I can feel that I am shifting to one side again.

So I feel like I am getting a little long so I will post again another time!

Right out from underneath ya...

Yesterday was a pretty rough day all around...every cliche that you can think of can really explain it. "The rug was pulled out from underneath me." "The wind was taken out of my sails"....blah blah blah. I was left dumbfounded. Completely without words. I finally think that I have reached something, solid ground, for it to be pushed away yet again. Just feel like I am not getting anywhere with the whole situation. I am not sure what this all means and what I should be learning but I can tell ya it is no fun. And really it isn't something that I should be worrying about. I am just really confused right now but whatcha going to do, right? Prayer will be my guide which will hopefully get ride of all of Satan's doubts that he has decided to put in my head.

Homeschooling is continuing to go well. Alyssa is feeling a little bit under the weather and I thought that yesterday would be torture but it worked out well. We took a pretty easy day of reading to each other and some small little things. Lots of cuddles and snuggles. Which did this mommy good. Today will be about the same...laying low because the sniffles are still there. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Stubborness

Today's exercise routine was completely done on pure stubbornness because the motivation was really not there!! I really just wanted to curl up with my electric blanket and sleep. I know that if I do that then tonight I will not be able to sleep....I sssssssssssoooooooooooo don't want to start that cycle again. I finally feel like I am starting to sleep a little bit better. So today's time on the step was because I refused to not workout today. I guess that I will take it no matter how I can get the workout done.

I don't really know what happen to the motivation today. I has actually woke up early to exercise a little bit this morning and that totally didn't plan out but what are you going to do right?

Homeschooling went really well this morning and again we got done early. I am in the search of a phonics book or worksheets or something for Alyssa to continue/review the lessons that we have learned so far in the year. We have been working on worksheets off the Internet for the past month but it just doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore and really kind of boring her so I think that I need to be going to a bookstore or something. We got books yesterday at the library that I think will challenge her without frustrating her. We will see....

Well quiet time is almost up so I am off to figure out what I might be doing for supper. Have a wonderful night!

Back in blogging!!

The break was fun I have to admit but I did miss typing down my thoughts. I think that the fun of blogging for me was being sucked away because I felt like I had to have something intelligent and thought provoking to say. I didn't start blogging that way so I don't know why I changed. So here is to a new era of me just blogging for myself!

Today the girls and I got back into our routine...it was great!!! We had taken off February vacation from homeschooling. Although it was a nice break, I did miss my daily routine...ALOT! This past week was rather busy and then Ry was gone for the weekend. That was really hard on the girls and me. Poor Alyssa cried when he left and then when she talked to him on the phone at bedtime she would start crying again. It was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. Tori wasn't really feeling that great with a little bit of a cold. Just enough to mess with her sleep routine. The minute she laid down she would start coughing and coughing because of the postnasal drip. My poor babies! We made it through and Daddy was home again.

I thought that homeschooling would be a little rough today because of the week vacation but actually things went a lot smoother than I thought. Alyssa needed some help focusing on her work but we actually got done a little quicker than I expected. We have finished a lot of her homeschooling curriculum so I am trying to add things in here and there. I am also trying to focus her on her reading. She is doing amazingly well. Tori is working on her letter and number recognition, counting and some sounds. She is spending more and more time with us in the homeschool room (which I love) coloring, drawing, writing her name and some times writing some letters. Alyssa likes it most of the time...sometimes she gets a little distracted by her little sister.

So this was glimpse into our lives today. Now we are off to the library. Have a wonderful night!