Really, This Breaks My Heart

Okay, so this may seem like the lamest post ever, but its my blog so whatever... Oh, and if you're super liberal, just skip this one because you will likely take offense to my more conservative views.

Because we don't have cable I watch TV either via Hulu.com or whichever TV network streams shows on their website (like LOST on ABC, which I am super behind on). When that doesn't work we have Netflix and if its not on instant play I have to wait for the DVD to arrive in the mail the 'old-fashioned' way. (I still can't believe I'm blogging about this.)

Anyway, I used to love watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC! They were a great Christian family, their kids were adorable, they were tackling the near impossible with grace and humor, and I loved seeing their kitchen cabinets adorned with scripture-written index cards. Plus, they made my parenting two children (at the time) seem like cake.

By the time their relationship hit hard times we had already cancelled cable and so left in my mind was the happy fun-loving Gosselin's from the early days. Of course I heard about their split here and there but thought for sure they'd work it out. And they didn't. Enter Netflix and I was able to 'catch up'.

The last season they have on instant play is season 4 where Jon and Kate renew their marriage vows. Being a Christian and a Wedding Planner I was of course interested in their wedding. What broke my heart was when they explained to their kids WHY they were renewing their vows, the significance behind it all, that they were promising with their children (and America) as witnesses that they would be together forever.

That must have been a hard one for them to explain away to their children....

Something I noticed at the end of that season 4 was how Jon openly said that he didn't want to do the show anymore. He is private and wanted his life back. Kate was obviously not on the same page and she reasoned away his reluctance to do another season.

Ahhh.....let this be a lesson to us women! Not that anything Jon did was justified in any way (adultery never is), but as Christian women we should not emasculate our men (and I know from personal experience how that can be easy to do at times)! We are always saying that we want our husbands to lead our family's but only if that fits in with our agenda and plans? Kate showed Jon disrespect so many times during that show. I wonder where they'd be if she reverenced him, affirmed him and had really listened to his concerns regarding their new-found fame? I would bet LOTS that they would be living it up in their nice big house with their 8 adorable babies, happy. Not perfect, but happy. And I have a feeling they would both give up everything right now to have their family back together.

Anyway, their whole situation breaks my heart. More proof that no family is immune to this type of destruction. And no matter who they end up with, that person will never understand all the time and sacrifice that went into having two sets of multiples, 8 kids total. No one will ever appreciate that experience or relate to it like they do.

I did a post a long while ago about this awesome book entitled "Created to be His Help Meet". No matter how you feel about your role in marriage, or where your marriage is right now, if your desire is to have a healthy, Christ-centered, happy, lasting marriage: read it. It totally challenged my views. I admittedly hated the book for a while, but God's truth (whether I liked it or not) was all over it. Check it out.

So what do you think? As a Christian rooting for another Christian family, did your heart also break?

p.s. At the beginning of this post I said that this is probably the lamest post ever....lame because I hate discussing celebrity couples, not lame because of my conservative views. And I am positive that this post was my needing to vent after watching GMA last week (yes, online) and learning that Kate will be on Dancing With The Stars. Every time I see her (with her new hair and all) I feel sad for her and her family and I pray that something good would come out of all this for them.

A Favorite Quote

Below is one of my favorite quotes. Just thought I'd share. Happy Monday! :)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

--Marianne Williamson

An Award For Me?!

A big thank you to Jessica for this awesome award!! How very sweet of you for thinking of me!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank then link to the person that gave you the award

2. Pass this award on to 10 bloggers you've recently discovered & whom you think are fantastic
3. Contact said Blogs to let them know they've won
4. State 7 Things about yourself!

The 10 bloggers who I think are fantastic and never cease to make me smile are:

1. Bethany @ Something To Talk About

2. Megan (who just happens to be my lil sis) @ Simple Sayings...

3. Taryn @ Deep & Not So Deep Thoughts, by Taryn

4. Lindsey @ Mommy Wonderland

5. The Nester @ The Nesting Place

6. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious?

7. Angie @ Bring The Rain

8. Kristina @ On Fire in PNG

9. Kelly @ Kelly's Korner

10. Layla @ The Lettered Cottage

7 Things About ME:

1. I will be 28 in 2 days!!!

2. I am mildly obsessed with the Twilight Saga.

3. I just planted my first organic garden two days ago!

4. My blackberry is my constant companion.

5. I crochet and really enjoy it.

6. I am a wedding planner and love it.

7. I eat a piece of dark chocolate almost daily.

A Virtuous Woman

I have been meditating on Proverbs 31 for the past week. Right now I am balancing being a wife, mother, and homemaker with homeschooling, being a business owner, serving at church, and on and on. Throw in a newborn, gardening, weekly errands, and coffee with a friend (if I'm lucky) and I find that I have little to no time for me.

But reading Prov 31 reminds me of the kind of woman I want to be.

That instead of getting overwhelmed I need to be thankful. When I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day I need to realize that instead of staying in bed until 7:30am (even though my older 2 kids are up by 7am) I could always get up at 5:30am with my husband and gain an extra 2 hours of quiet time to spend however I choose (but I am sooo tired these days!).

So she is my goal, this virtuous woman. Its always good to have goals, right? :) The passage is below. Enjoy!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Who can find a vurtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant's ship,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast
for her household
and plan the day's work for her servant girls.

She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.

Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.

She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her;
There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31 NLT

Look Who's 1 Month Old Already!

Miss Kyndall Arianna!!!!!!!!

My how a month has flown by! What is Kyndall up to these days? Mostly sleeping and eating but she is more and more alert each day and really starting to take in her surroundings. She is a pretty good sleeper at night and she takes a pacifier (gasp!) which her sister and brother never did. Kyndall is very easy-going, not fussy, super sweet. We think she might get her Daddy's blue eyes, but we aren't holding our breath. :)

We are so blessed to be parenting this sweet little thing. And little she is! At birth Kyndall was 6.1 and just this week she weighs in at 8.5 (Brody was 8.6 at birth). She has also grown two inches!! I am loving the newborn stage and know that it will soon be over!

Below are some pics of Kyndall taken today. Enjoy! :)

Food

I love food. And I love knowing where it comes from. If you are even slightly interested in knowing more about what you are putting into your body check out these documentaries:

1. Food, Inc.

2. The Beautiful Truth

3. Food Matters

Kyndall Arianna is Here!!!!

After 20 hours of my worst labor yet Kyndall Arianna is here! She arrived at 4:20am Monday, January 4th. She weighed in at only 6lbs. 1oz.! Our smallest baby so far! But she is perfect and healthy, loves to nurse and sleep! We are blessed!!

Our new family of 5!!

We agonized a bit over her name. Mark chose Kyndall, which means "inspiration, fire". It eventually grew on me and I love it now. And I chose Arianna, which means "very holy". Our prayer for Kyndall is that she follows God's command to "consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7)

Goodbye 2009

In 2009...

...I discovered that fostering a 4 day old newborn for nearly 3 months was HARD. A lot harder than I expected. It changed me and I look forward to the day when we are called to do it again.

...I learned to talk less and listen more. Discipline is golden.

...I realized that being a size 4 (or 2 or whatever) isn't important to me like it once was. I am beautiful, I have had three healthy pregnancies and have beautiful babies to show for it. Bring on the big butt and stretch marks! I AM BLESSED!

...I fell more in love with my husband than I ever thought possible. I am SO thankful for God's provision over my life when He placed my husband in it over 13 years ago and His many blessings and provisions ever since.

...I laughed so hard that I literally wet my pants (did I mention I'm preg with #3)! 'Nough said.

...I embarked on the journey of homeschooling and while unsure about this calling, felt God's hand ALL OVER IT! And it turns out I actually really like it.

...I (we) finally bought a house!!!! This was SO exciting and I am SO thankful for my humble little dwelling!

...I lead and completed my first Beth Moore study. Was super nervous about the intensity, but learned so much! Highly recommend it.

...I convinced my husband to get a cat. I have no idea how I accomplished this, but the cat is here and I am happy. And hubs even likes him.... go figure!

...I became a Twilight FAN! Who would have known that 4 books would cause such a fun obsession in my life and the lives of my girl friends?! Eclipse....here we come!!!!!!!!

...I accepted that despite all my efforts to be in control, I'm not... and I'm okay with that. I actually prefer it that way now.

Excited about all that is in store for us in 2010! Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Out Of It....

I am 35 weeks pregnant now and completely out of it. Very uncomfortable, super tired, but WAY excited to meet our girl!! :)

I had Emma at 37 weeks and Brody at 38 weeks and so I am feeling all the stress and anticipation that comes during the final weeks of pregnancy. I am trying to be organized since I am also preparing for the Christmas festivities, homeschooling Emma, running my business, etc.

I feel super anxious about meeting this baby... And now that I know what it feels like to deliver a baby without drugs, a little nervous about that too. OUCH. But I've done it before and I can do it again. I just hope that she doesn't weigh nearly 9 lbs. like her brother did.

Below are a few pics that our friend John (who also happen to be a photographer) took about 3 weeks ago. How much bigger will the belly get??

Halloween

Halloween was a blast! Emma was a 50's girl and Brody was a little Charger. We started off with a Halloween pizza party with friends and then went around with our group of nearly 20 kids trick-or-treating! Last year the kids were kind of confused by the whole thing, but this year they had it down! SO FUN!!!

Most of the kids...

Pizza time!!

Me & my sweet Emma.

Emma with her good buddies Ian (doesn't he look thrilled?) and Kenzie.

Emma was a princess last year so we told her she had to be something different. :) She has already declared that next year she will be Aurora! These girls share names (from left to right): Ava, Emma, Emma, Ava :)

Emma and one of her best friends, Emma G.

They would storm the houses.

Our buddy Eric in all his 80's coolness.