Vacation

January 23, 2020 / heartmomma / Leave a comment

So, we just got back from a family vacation to Florida. We started giving our kids “experience” gifts for Christmas last year (a trip to Florida) and we loved it so much we gave them the same gift this past Christmas.

Anyway, it was a beautiful week and we soaked up as much sun as possible to take back to frozen Iowa.

But, it was a vacation with five kids which equals a lot of unpredictable. This vacation included four of our five kids having fevers most of the week. Ugh.

So, we hunkered down in our beautiful vacation rental house, bought groceries, and gave the kids lots of screen time. I read books on the deck, we swam in the pool, and took well kids on walks.

We had planned on this being a low key vacation…it just ended up being more low key then planned.

The last couple days we were able to go to our favorite ice cream shop and see the sunset on the beach (two of our favorite things). We played pool together and swam together and watched movies together. Dustin and I were even able to sneak away a couple times for coffee and a walk on the beach. And those are the sweet moments I’m choosing to remember and focus on.

But those sweet moments were just that…moments.

Rotten attitudes, sibling squabbles, selfish behavior…those all came with us on vacation too. There were times when D and I would look at each other and wonder why on earth we did this.

I often have to do battle in my own heart and remember that all of these moments with those I love are valuable. The fun times of laughter….and the times of discipline. Those picture perfect moments (which are few and far between) and confronting sinful hearts.

I have to continually redirect my own thinking about what I want our time together to look like and see that each moment is a gift and an opportunity to not only try to point my kiddos to Christ…but to turn my own mind and heart too.

So, whether I’m on a beautiful beach or in my own living room, my intention should be the same…not for idyllic family moments…but for hearts to turn to God.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”. 1 Corinthians 10:31

It’s a…..?

October 25, 2012 / heartmomma / 6 Comments

My heart was pounding…or maybe it stopped just for a second. I was trying not to hold my breath as she gently rubbed the wand on my slightly swollen belly, but it felt like time was standing still. I had been here before. I had heard that beautiful sound twice before, but I had also been there when there was none…both for myself and for my mother when I was a child.

So, I waited….and then….I heard it. That beautiful rhythmic sound of my unborn child growing strong inside of me, and a weight was lifted off my chest. My heart rejoiced and breathed a silent thank-you to the One who created this life inside of me. Nerves were gone. Worry satisfied. And the smile that wouldn’t leave my face was an indicator of the peace in my heart.

When I got back into my car, the events that just happened washed over me again. My eyes filled with tears…joyful tears…as I again thanked the Giver of Life for such a precious gift.

At 13 weeks gestation, our baby already has fingerprints.

And they are already imprinted on my heart.

I never thought I would ever experience this again, and my heart has been content with that for the past three years. I will admit that my initial response to this new addition was less than great. I was overwhelmed…even more than I am already on a daily basis. I was in shock. I mean, I thought we might have another child…someday…but now? I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God’s timing is always perfect, even when we don’t understand it. And I have been through a lot of His timing that I don’t understand. But I choose to trust Him. So…God worked in me and I slowly let go of control and released my plans. Excitement grew, along with the nausea and exhaustion. Not gonna lie, it’s been a rough couple months. The love…well the love I have for this child has never faltered…but it has grown.

While this child may be a surprise to us (and the Lord knows I don’t always handle surprises well)…every beat of this baby’s heart and every second of this baby’s life, was ordained before the beginning of time by the One who loves my baby more than I can even imagine.

Expectantly waiting to meet #5 coming this Spring!