I read the ABC's of Marriage over at Homemaker's By Choice and I think the really simple things are often overlooked when stress comes and Mum's get tired. I needed a reminder of these simple things that show value and love to my Prince. I have printed them to remind me. :
26 Ways to Build Your Marriage on Holy Ground
Always kiss each other upon departing.
Be there for your spouse. Always.
Create an environment of love.
Do it. Now.
Escape from the kids.
Fight fair.
Give of your time.
Handle with care.
Inspire your spouse with your love.
Judge not.
Keep your good memories alive.
Listen to your spouse.
Make love with your spouse’s needs foremost.
Never go o bed mad.
Offer to handle an unpleasant chore.
Praise your spouse.
Quality Time isn’t just for kids.
Respect your spouse’s feelings.
Say what you feel when you feel it.
Tell your spouse you love him or her every day. Every day. Every day.Every
day.
Understand your differences.
Valentine’s Day is every day.
Walk together. Talk together.
Excite your spouse as only you know how.
You can never say “I love you” too often.
Zero in on your spouse’s little passions.
www.homemakersbychoice.org/pdf/26%20Ways%20to%20Build%20Your%20Marriage.pdf
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Made some really yummy cordial!!
When my aunty was visiting she had a recipe for some lemon cordial and I have run out of cold drinks today and had some lemons in the fridge so I thought I'd give it a try. IT WAS SUPERB!!!
The toddler loves it too.
I juiced four lemons.
I took the peels and cut them into chunks, all the stuff off the top of the squeezer and put them into a saucepan with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar (the recipe said 1.5 cup sugar so add that if you like but I didnt need it)
Bring to the boil & then simmer for 4 mins. It looks a bit of a mess!! Doesnt matter - you strain it later/
Add a few sprigs of mint, boil 1 more minute.
Strain into a bottle.
Put in the fridge and use just like lemon cordial (dilute about 1:5)
It tastes just like shop bought lemon cordial with no preservatives, chemicals and less sugar. I put it into our regular cordial bottle and didnt tell anyone and everyone commented on how good the cordial was!!
Have a taste- Its a hit :)
The toddler loves it too.
I juiced four lemons.
I took the peels and cut them into chunks, all the stuff off the top of the squeezer and put them into a saucepan with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar (the recipe said 1.5 cup sugar so add that if you like but I didnt need it)
Bring to the boil & then simmer for 4 mins. It looks a bit of a mess!! Doesnt matter - you strain it later/
Strain into a bottle.
Put in the fridge and use just like lemon cordial (dilute about 1:5)
It tastes just like shop bought lemon cordial with no preservatives, chemicals and less sugar. I put it into our regular cordial bottle and didnt tell anyone and everyone commented on how good the cordial was!!
Have a taste- Its a hit :)
News
NEWS!!
Last monday DH had to go back to work- He has been off since January and just as I was wondering how I was going to manage alone I got a phone call from my sister in the blue mountains and my aunt & uncle who are retired and on a 3 month road trip wanted to know if they could come & help.They came here last tuesday and stayed a full week til this morning- talk about praying for practical help to come- just when I thought I would be alone a live in helper that loves cuddling & reading to the toddler & pegging out washing arrives as my first houseguest in the 7 years we have lived here!!!!
I had a MRI & angiogram on Saturday and was fitted into a cancellation with the Neurologist Professor yesterday. He assessed me for 70 minutes (usually you are in and out and have no idea.) He explained everything I can expect and He even had a huge interest in what had happened and following our toddler up as she recovers from the encephalitis so we can save some big trips to sydney.
He said that I have not had a complete stroke and that the MRI shows that there is no permanent damage at all in my brain. He says that I am to take 100mg asprin for the rest of my life and that will prevent it from ever happening again. He says that it will take between 2-6weeks and I will have full use of my arm & my face & my sight in the left eye will be back to normal and that I will then be able to drive again! ( I live on a farm 30 minutes out of town and DH travels away for work every other week so that was a HUGE concern.
The problem can be big- but God IS INDEED BIGGER
Have a great day,
Last monday DH had to go back to work- He has been off since January and just as I was wondering how I was going to manage alone I got a phone call from my sister in the blue mountains and my aunt & uncle who are retired and on a 3 month road trip wanted to know if they could come & help.They came here last tuesday and stayed a full week til this morning- talk about praying for practical help to come- just when I thought I would be alone a live in helper that loves cuddling & reading to the toddler & pegging out washing arrives as my first houseguest in the 7 years we have lived here!!!!
I had a MRI & angiogram on Saturday and was fitted into a cancellation with the Neurologist Professor yesterday. He assessed me for 70 minutes (usually you are in and out and have no idea.) He explained everything I can expect and He even had a huge interest in what had happened and following our toddler up as she recovers from the encephalitis so we can save some big trips to sydney.
He said that I have not had a complete stroke and that the MRI shows that there is no permanent damage at all in my brain. He says that I am to take 100mg asprin for the rest of my life and that will prevent it from ever happening again. He says that it will take between 2-6weeks and I will have full use of my arm & my face & my sight in the left eye will be back to normal and that I will then be able to drive again! ( I live on a farm 30 minutes out of town and DH travels away for work every other week so that was a HUGE concern.
The problem can be big- but God IS INDEED BIGGER
Have a great day,
Monday, May 24, 2010
Still on hold??
I am so challenged by what I read this am over in "the Quiet Corner" & I'm glad I have the whole day (including many hours in the car) to think on it. Seemingly simple enough but in practice God is going to have to do a mighty work!!!
"Respond out of mind set rather than mood." (Col. 3:2)
"When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending. And not just in spite of catastrophes. Often because of them. Don't just wait and see. Live and see." this is a quote from Beth Moore's study on Esther and is good words for me as we face more medical appointments.
My life & our family life is for living & rejoicing-always despite circumstances- God doesn't want to put us on "hold" til life settles down but He wants us to live in His peace & grace during these tough times.
I know He gives me strength- mine ran out months ago.
((hugs))
"Respond out of mind set rather than mood." (Col. 3:2)
"When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending. And not just in spite of catastrophes. Often because of them. Don't just wait and see. Live and see." this is a quote from Beth Moore's study on Esther and is good words for me as we face more medical appointments.
My life & our family life is for living & rejoicing-always despite circumstances- God doesn't want to put us on "hold" til life settles down but He wants us to live in His peace & grace during these tough times.
I know He gives me strength- mine ran out months ago.
((hugs))
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Who's in control?
Again so late but this is the first quiet minutes I have had all day & it will soon be tomorrow & the madness will all start again.
A friend has been reading in Second Samuel, and she has been sharing such wisdom and has blessed me by what she has been reflecting on in her studies. After her thoughts I was really interested in looking into this part of the OT. I was really challenged to think on how I act/ react in difficult situations.- and we have had ALOT of difficult situations recently that have sent my emotions flying. My friend pointed out that David did not have to take down his opponents - he trusted in God and God was very much in control.
I like most women, like to be in charge and fix things or "make it right" - I am definately self-reliant and I know this has come from my history. I need to open mself to the Holy Spirit's direction in this area.
My lesson today is maybe I need to read the message that DH bought me & hung above my coffee machine "good morning this is God, today I will be handling all your problems & I won't be needing your help so relax & have a good day"
I pray you are having a good day too!
Thanks for stopping by.
A friend has been reading in Second Samuel, and she has been sharing such wisdom and has blessed me by what she has been reflecting on in her studies. After her thoughts I was really interested in looking into this part of the OT. I was really challenged to think on how I act/ react in difficult situations.- and we have had ALOT of difficult situations recently that have sent my emotions flying. My friend pointed out that David did not have to take down his opponents - he trusted in God and God was very much in control.
I like most women, like to be in charge and fix things or "make it right" - I am definately self-reliant and I know this has come from my history. I need to open mself to the Holy Spirit's direction in this area.
My lesson today is maybe I need to read the message that DH bought me & hung above my coffee machine "good morning this is God, today I will be handling all your problems & I won't be needing your help so relax & have a good day"
I pray you are having a good day too!
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Decluttering I go!!
I have gone on a mission to de-clutter my life & my home.
I need to be able to de-stress and this cluttered disorganised home is not helping!!
I did my pantry and freezer 2 weeks ago and I made a big list that is in my iphone of whats in there and it has helped with my shopping and meal planning heaps.
We could go a month without needing to put anything else in there!!
Going to tackle under the kitchen sink next, wish me luck- Im going in!!
I need to be able to de-stress and this cluttered disorganised home is not helping!!
I did my pantry and freezer 2 weeks ago and I made a big list that is in my iphone of whats in there and it has helped with my shopping and meal planning heaps.
We could go a month without needing to put anything else in there!!
Going to tackle under the kitchen sink next, wish me luck- Im going in!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Managing Monday- Am I managing?
Today is very quiet at home.
My DH went back to work after being off for the last 4 months. We have had a season as a family of health crisises. Firstly it was DH that was ill, then our toddler contracted encephalitis after an ear infection and was hospitalised for a month and the family was on full stress mode.
As a mum I have been doing, doing, doing- planning & working to create a stable, peaceful home. I have been running on empty emotionally and my time with God has suffered. I have spent time reading in The Word, but most of my prayer times have been in the "desparate plea" category.
Last week this stress caught up with me.
I was sitting with my teen helping her prepare for her NAPLAN tests which grade her reading & writing & numeracy for her age and compare it nationally.
I felt an odd sensation in my head and I lost a part of my vision in my eye. I had a mini stroke.
I went to the hospital and this week has been one big blur surrounded by very worried faces. The Dr has started some medicine to keep my Blood pressure down and has said that it has ben a timely warning that I need to take better care of my family by taking better care of me.
This has forced me to have a long hard look at what I do and why I do it. What is necessary in my day and what just isnt. What things do I consider important and a "must have" in my day and funnily enough - those things are usually the things that I have been foregoing in order to keep on top of everything else- like my time with God, my Family First Four,(the first things I say to each person each day is a greeting not an instruction and endeavouring to keep a mental tally of 4 specific times that I tell each one "I love you" each day)I want to change my focus from tasks back to the people that I am striving to make this home a place of security and peace.
What do you give your energy to, is it wearing you out? is it important to you or to your family? What is necessary? What are your goals for your family as a mum?
This week is a time of change for me - a time of back to basics:
* Spending time reading & praying as a priority- not an after-thought
* Remembering my "Family First Four"
* taking time to love & play!
have a wonderful week,( and maybe a good nap or 2!!)
((Hugs)
My DH went back to work after being off for the last 4 months. We have had a season as a family of health crisises. Firstly it was DH that was ill, then our toddler contracted encephalitis after an ear infection and was hospitalised for a month and the family was on full stress mode.
As a mum I have been doing, doing, doing- planning & working to create a stable, peaceful home. I have been running on empty emotionally and my time with God has suffered. I have spent time reading in The Word, but most of my prayer times have been in the "desparate plea" category.
Last week this stress caught up with me.
I was sitting with my teen helping her prepare for her NAPLAN tests which grade her reading & writing & numeracy for her age and compare it nationally.
I felt an odd sensation in my head and I lost a part of my vision in my eye. I had a mini stroke.
I went to the hospital and this week has been one big blur surrounded by very worried faces. The Dr has started some medicine to keep my Blood pressure down and has said that it has ben a timely warning that I need to take better care of my family by taking better care of me.
This has forced me to have a long hard look at what I do and why I do it. What is necessary in my day and what just isnt. What things do I consider important and a "must have" in my day and funnily enough - those things are usually the things that I have been foregoing in order to keep on top of everything else- like my time with God, my Family First Four,(the first things I say to each person each day is a greeting not an instruction and endeavouring to keep a mental tally of 4 specific times that I tell each one "I love you" each day)I want to change my focus from tasks back to the people that I am striving to make this home a place of security and peace.
What do you give your energy to, is it wearing you out? is it important to you or to your family? What is necessary? What are your goals for your family as a mum?
This week is a time of change for me - a time of back to basics:
* Spending time reading & praying as a priority- not an after-thought
* Remembering my "Family First Four"
* taking time to love & play!
have a wonderful week,( and maybe a good nap or 2!!)
((Hugs)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Get your own coke- gulp!!
I struggle with emotions that I feel everyday. I get sooo mad when I am tired and the family want, want, want from me all the time. I feel used & unappreciated & when I look at individual examples (always drinking the last of my drink and never filling the cup, leaving me with no toilet paper on the roll, waiting til I sit down until asking me to get them a drink - afterall it is just as far for D. to get up & get it as it is for me!
Reading 1 Samuel 18-19 look at the consequences of letting a thought go- in that case it was jealous thought that did not get dealt with and in my case I am indulging thoughts that are just as dangerous.
We are commanded by Jesus to take every thought captive- why? Because they are the seeds that bring destruction into our lives. Hold up my thoughts to the 1Cor 14 that I was talking about below and it is immediately obvious that it is not patient, longsuffering or kind. I could also go over to Prov 31 and see if my thoughts lined up with our Biblical example of a Godly wife & mother. I don't think I need to, though my friends may agree if I whine to them God doesn't-Instead He gives me grace when I seek to be the wife & mother that He calls me to be. I desperately need that grace- I can't do it on my own!
Reading 1 Samuel 18-19 look at the consequences of letting a thought go- in that case it was jealous thought that did not get dealt with and in my case I am indulging thoughts that are just as dangerous.
We are commanded by Jesus to take every thought captive- why? Because they are the seeds that bring destruction into our lives. Hold up my thoughts to the 1Cor 14 that I was talking about below and it is immediately obvious that it is not patient, longsuffering or kind. I could also go over to Prov 31 and see if my thoughts lined up with our Biblical example of a Godly wife & mother. I don't think I need to, though my friends may agree if I whine to them God doesn't-Instead He gives me grace when I seek to be the wife & mother that He calls me to be. I desperately need that grace- I can't do it on my own!
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