Ramblings...

Do you ever have a week that you try to process and don't know quite where to begin? We have had some crazy times since the last post. Last week being the peak and this week the week of recovery. Last week we had a septic problem and an overflow in our downstairs bathroom. Yes, quite the fun and quite the pleasant smell. Unfortunately the bathroom floor was completely ruined and had to be replaced which brings us to this week. Greg spent a full day last week working on everything and this week we had the flooring replaced with new tile. The kids actually went crazy about the horrible smell downstairs, especially Micah... which makes me laugh. He hates the smell of a single dirty diaper and will repeatedly ask me to change it as soon as possible. So... you can only imagine what the smell of septic overflow will do for the poor little guy.
To add on top of our normal routine in any way is quite challenging so I am finding myself worn out from exhaustion. I also decided this week that I needed to kick myself into organizational gear and finally pulled out baby girl clothes to be washed and ready for our little one. I had tons of clothes to organize of all sizes and repeatedly told myself I needed to come up with a better system around here. Any pointers out there?
This last month has been quite challenging with the pregnancy as I have been struggling with feeling sick and I think I have come to the conclusion that I just do not well with double the female hormones. We can blame anything and everything on hormones right?

Well, I'll end my ramblings with a few notes on some things that I felt the Lord teaching me this past week. It really started with church over the weekend. Our pastor talked about enjoying life and actually started a series on Ecclesiastes. It was definitely something I needed to hear. I have found myself so wrapped up with the things that NEED to get done (and very little energy to get them done!) that I have neglected finding joy in the simple things of life and really enjoying life all together. Again, can I blame it on the hormones?
I was convicted that I lacked joy lately. Big time. Joy in my Savior, joy in my husband, joy in my kids. Since I have also found myself really fighting sickness with the pregnancy here at the end, I have consumed myself with how crummy I have been feeling that it was hard to make anything else matter.

So...this week I enjoyed my husband and I found joy in doing things for him like actually preparing dinner and doing his laundry...serving him and enjoying my role as his helpmate.

I enjoyed my kids.
I read them books, danced to music with them, (even when I did not have anymore energy!), painted with them, did play-dough, made necklaces with the girls, played outside on the swing set, watched Micah do all of his "cool tricks" on his scooter, and added extra fun activities to Caitlyn's school days. I even did school with Micah and Cassidy.
I also picked up my camera again. I have honestly felt so sick that I hadn't taken pictures in weeks. Well, two weeks since Cassidy's birthday. Shocking I know.
Photography is something that I really enjoy, but I also enjoy making meals (Also something that I have not done well lately due to sickness!). This week I also made an effort to create meals for my family. I enjoyed making them and eating them with my family!

I found strength and joy in my Savior this week and was reminded by a good book, The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper. It is pretty much a shortened version of his book Desiring God, which I had read before. I always enjoy reading but find little times these days to actually read. It also went along with the theme of joy. Specifically, glorifying God BY enjoying HIM.
One quote from the book: "Love pursues its own joy in the joy of the beloved."

Anyways, there is wisdom in Solomon's teaching. Enjoy the simple things in life.

I can't really say that through all of these events I have felt much better as far as feeling sick, but hopefully my attitude has changed which makes LIFE BETTER, even in the midst of challenging times.