My Bigger Picture

I'm sitting here attempting to write my Bigger Picture Moment {this is draft number three} and no matter what I write, I end up on my husband.

In my first draft, I was writing about my children and ended up writing about how supportive my husband is, especially when I'm struggling with parenting.

My second attempt at a Bigger Picture Moment, I was writing about friendship. I was lost in thought, trying to convey what happens to friendships when moving every couple years since, well, birth {in my parents defense, we moved houses a lot but we only changed school systems three times}, when my mind wandered to my husband. I've had friends come and go, some have stayed in my life while other's haven't.

My husband has played a major role in my life for almost ten years! For the first time, my best friend was with me when I moved across the world, across the Pacific and across the country.

God had a time and a place for us, we know that know. We've discovered we've been in the same place, frequented the same establishments, lived a barracks apart {twice}, and celebrated Fleet Week in the same town but never met. For those who don't know, I met my husband while we were both serving in the Middle East.

Our lives have changed with deployments, transfers, children, Christ. My "I believe there's some kind of higher power" husband is now the spiritual leader of our family. I often go to him when I can't find something in scripture. He's helped further my relationship with Christ.

Watching God work in his life has forever changed my perception.

And today, he, my amazing, spectacular, wonderful husband, is helping me see the bigger picture.

Bigger Picture Moment: I Walked a Mile

Take a step back and take in life!



Today I had the chance to experience my husband's chore and bare his burden for a little bit. The old saying of "walk a mile in their shoes" really struck a cord this morning, giving me a new appreciation and respect for my husband.

What did it take, you ask.

I mowed!

I actually got to walk where he normally does.

Now I know some of you are thinking, big whoop, but it was big for me. This is the biggest yard I've mowed as an adult and quite frankly, it's hot here, even in the morning.

Yet my husband does it, without complaint. And keeping in mind the house we're renting was vacant for some time before we moved in, he had a small forest to cut down the first couple times mowed.

And the bugs... Oh the bugs!

I didn't realize how big our yard really is. I knew the back yard is big but I had forgotten we have a front yard, berm, and two sides that have to be mowed as well. With little hills, holes, ruts, and a whole bunch of bushes daring you to come closer so they can scratch you with their prickly leaves. Did I mention the holes? They are cleverly disguised voids in the ground waiting for a solitary mower wheel, and given the chance it will hold on.

And the ants... Oh the ants!

I really enjoyed it though, as hot and sweaty as I was getting, it was soothing. It gave me good thinking time and helped me get my thoughts straight. Pushing to and fro, enjoying the leisurely, yet productive, pace, my mind was able to wander in and out of story ideas, plan trips and completely take in the scents and colors surrounding me.

Soothing, that is, until a thorn caught my ankle. I came to a stop to remove it, lifted my pant leg to find an ant, holding on to dear life with his little pincers. (I now have a slightly painful bite mark on my ankle).

But the battle of the bugs is a whole post in its own!

For now, I will remain so very thankful for my husband and our yard.

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Four (Heavy Metal)

Our Random Word Prompt for today really threw me for a loop. I spent all day mulling this over in my mind. What type of inspiration could I get from "Heavy Metal"? What did it mean to me? What images did it evoke? I was stumped! I kept coming back to music, the Christian rock my husband listens to, how he and I are alike and different, the separate yet similar journeys we've been on. Then I realized, I kept coming back to my husband.

*****

He brought us together

From miles apart

Two souls long searching

Attached at the heart

He gave us each other

To have and to hold

For better or worse

From now till we're old

I have no idea

The plans He has for me

As long as we're together

My joy you'll always be

Journey: Daily Mothering

My journey as a wife and mother is different everyday!

Today was such a perfectly paced day. Throughout the day I kept thinking, that would make a good blog post and that would make a good blog post and yet here I sit, rambling. :0)

I could tell you Bear decided to climb the slide today, sure she's done it before, but today was special. Today, she discovered once she got to the top, instead of sitting there waiting for that dreaded trip to the bottom she could stand up and scare the living heck out of her mom. She seemed highly entertained with the squawk her sister made and the speed at which her mom could cross the room.

I could also tell you there seems to be a theme in the air. My dear friend Hyacynth seemed to be at odds with her 2.5 yo and I was at odds with my 3 yo.
If you've never had a 3 yo tell you you're a mean mom and I don't like you then you might not understand how your heart can break and in the exact same moment become completely irate.
It seems I was still a little on edge since yesterday when she announced, in a very angry voice, "you hit me!" Truth was, I was pulling her and her sister in wagon when we went over a bump and her head hit the plastic pole that hold the canopy on. I think it went something like this:

She: You hit me!
Me: Excuse me?
She: You hit me! {getting a little more annoyed like I didn't get what she was saying}
Me: How did I hit if I was up here pulling the wagon?
She: You hit me! I don't want you Mommy!
At this point we were in the driveway, I was a bit hurt by the last comment and a bit annoyed with her overall attitude.
Me: Fine, deal with your dad then. {and I went in the house}
A little later she apologized and we talked about how you cant just blame someone for whatever, that words can hurt, even adults. I apologized, because as Hy put it, I have a tendency to react when I should respond.
This morning, as I was trying to post a blog for How Did I Ever Live Without It? Bear wanted for me to do nothing but hold her. When she wants me off the computer she comes up and begins to take random things off my desk. Normally I can stall her by giving her a couple choice toys (my calculator or glasses holder) but this morning nothing would sooth her. When I was putting on the finishing touches, she got on my last nerve and I, quite gently actually, sat her on the floor next to my chair. She cried and B jumped up on the couch and announces, "You're a mean mommy!" I think my head collapsed onto the desk.
After a few more comments along similar lines, I had to sit B down. We've established some steps to clear up any misunderstandings. She will now tell me that she doesn't think that's very nice if she thinks I'm doing something not nice. Which worked well this evening when Bear was getting into my bag and I told her no and took it away and she cried, B spoke up and I was able to explain that Bear wasn't allowed to play with Mommy's bag.
Lately, I've been feeling like I haven't be reacting well and I haven't been the best Mommy. Thank you Hy for reminding me about the bigger picture and for letting me know I'm not the only one going through this.

I could also tell you that Bear took more steps today. It seems she is finally realizing, what we've always known, that she can actually walk if she wants to.

Or I could tell you how awesome God is and how amazing it is praying with my husband! My life is forever changed and I really wish I could share this feeling with everyone!

But I don't want to bore you with my daily details. May you have a blessed night and a wonderful week!

Update: Paleo Diet/Life Change

My husband has started blogging! Check him out!

Our lives have changed quite a bit since January, nothing dramatic but change none the less.

He started a new diet while the girls and I were in Oklahoma visiting my fam. The girls and I are slowly but surely working our way on to it. I view it less of a diet and more of a life change, especially since I haven't (and wont be for some time) giving up all the grains he has. For the most part, we don't eat processed foods. It's was strange not buying boxed meals, stovetop and whatnot, or canned veggies. I'm missing the convenience of throwing pasta and sauce together at the last minute and calling it dinner, but I don't really miss pasta. I must say I love the flavor of fresh veggies cooked into things. And the Paleo Pancakes we made this morning were wonderful!

I've been feeling great since I've cut out so much junk and I've even lost a little weight. I find I get headaches if I eat too much wheat (we had a cheat night with pizza and bread sticks and my head was killing me the next day!) and dairy no longer bothers me. I've even had some ice cream without a stomach ache. I went almost three weeks without a headache and in the world that is me, that is HUGE!

I want to add exercising to my changes but I find it so incredibly hard to get up early in the morning. One day I'll stop making excuses and just do it!

(My goodness I'm rambling, I can tell it's after midnight!)