A Very Ordinary Day March 2, 2011

It’s been a long time, I know.  But I felt like writing today.  So here goes:

Waking up this morning was hard.  I had stayed up way too late on my ipod reading comments on Amazon and other blogs about Ann Voskamp’s new  book, deciding if I want to get it.  And I think I do.   Since I wanted to sleep a little later today, (I normally wake way before the rest of the fam) of course it was the day that my sweet Lovebug woke up earlier than he has in at least a month.   So that meant no alone time with my Lord.

It has been a hard couple of weeks.  It all began two Sundays ago when my son began vomiting after church and since then someone has been vomiting nearly every other day.  Throw a two year old’s bladder infection, yeast infection (which resulted in her not urinating for at one point 16 hours), and two colds into the mix and you get a very weary Momma.  Lovebug started vomiting again this Sunday afternoon, and was fine by Monday evening, and so Tuesday the Hubs was right on time… driving down the highway when it all began.  I feel bad for the people driving around him.  I had to clean it off our car, but it’s different when you love the person you are cleaning up after.  🙂

The kids are doing great now… they are such troopers.  But when I woke up this morning I felt sorry for myself.  I feel like I have been on a treadmill, nothing ever staying accomplished, clean, or even healthy for long.  I have been exhausted and achy on and off for the last week and a half.  I finally get all the puke laundry done, only to be swimming in it once again…  Woe is me… can you hear it too?

I knew immediately that I needed to sit down and block everything else out and ask the Lord for some perspective on the day.  But the time just kept being put off.  One more juice, one  more water,  one more can I have this, can you help me with this,  one more scream cause Lovebug looked at Lulu wrong, and ten more frustrated whines that things aren’t going their way.    And all the while I am whining in my soul, wondering how much of what I am doing really matters and will the kids remember anything I try everyday to invest into them, because sometimes it feels like all I am a maid with a broken record for a voice.

I finally get everyone settled in for a few minutes and I sit down in our big comfy chair with a cup of coffee, figuring I have maybe five minutes.   I open up my heart to the Lord with all my guilt for my attitude and complaints because am I not supposed to be a servant, am I not supposed to find joy in serving?   I eventually find my way to the Psalms.  “The Lord is my strength”,  “The Lord is my rock” , and immediately I don’t feel alone.   Yes I am tired, and yes my body is weary, but God is my strength in this day and in everyday.  The strength to prepare one more meal, do one more load of laundry, the strength to be gentle when my patience is waning.    And as always I realize the guilt isn’t from Him, it never is.   It’s only the guilt I feel of not living up to my unreachable standards.   The grace I feel, the grace I want to extend is His way.   And suddenly I can breathe.

The kids find thier way from the dining room back into the living room to play with thier newly created airplane out of a box.  They both have thier own seats divided  by a sheet of cardboard down the middle.  Lovebug is steering and Lulu is playing with a bear that sings songs.  I grab another cup of coffee wondering how I drank the first so quickly, and sit down to just watch.  The bear sings “I love you, I love you, morning, noon, and night.  I love you, I love you, you make the world so bright.”

So Ann Voskamp’s book is about finding Him, finding Joy in the everyday ordinary.

Lovebug listening to the song, mumbles something under his breath.   It takes me a minute but I realized what he said: “No, you don’t make the world so bright.  Jesus does.”  I smile and my heart leaps.  This is exactly what I needed to hear, and from the very mouth I needed to hear it.   I thank the Lord for this moment, feeling Him reassuring me that my efforts are not in vain.   I find Him in this moment, this very ordinary moment of extraordinary value in my heart.   

And I can’t help but wonder if I would have had this moment but for all the sickness, laundry, and fatigue.  Probably not.  And so I’ll count it as a gift.  I’ll call it #1.

You can check out Ann’s book here. 

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A Letter March 2, 2010

I sent this letter to a girl this morning, but while writing it, I thought of many girls I knew that would say they struggle with this too.   I have modified a few things to help the initial receiver remain anonymous, but wanted to paste it here just in case any of you needed encouragement as well:

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I was studying this morning, and had some things that speak to me that I wanted to share with you cause I think they would apply to you too.

I talk to the Lord all the time about the things I feel like I can’t change, patterns that I hate in myself, and things that I think I’m stuck with.  And sometimes I get angry.   I know everyone has wounds, but most of the time I feel discouraged, like mine are beyond repair…  like I have tried for years and years to change and just end up feeling hopeless.

But, God.

This morning doing a word study on “hope” I found these verses:

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Psalm 42:11

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

HOPE in God;

for I shall yet praise him,

who is the HEALTH of my countenance,

and my God.

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Mark 2:17

And when Jesus heard it,

he said to them,

“Those who are well have no need of a physician,

but those who are sick.

I came not to call the righteous,

but sinners.”

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And finally this one:

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Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted,

and binds up their wounds.

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These are the translations for those words:

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heals: to heal, make healthful; also to sew together, mend

broken: to break, rend violently, wreck, crush, maimed, crippled, shattered

heart: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding, soul, reflection, memory, conscience, a seat of emotions, passions, courage

bind up: to bind up 😉

wounds: pain, hurt, injury, sorrow, wound, also translated: he binds up their pains, “the wounds of their minds”

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I feel like God used this verse to remind me there is hope in him. That my “shattered, crushed, and maimed” mind and sorrows can be healed. That there will still be scars just like any wound, but that he is the Master Physician and I NEED him every day.

I know you go through alot in your lives everyday too. I hope this bit from God’s word can encourage you that he is and always will be working in us to make us WHOLE.  That he wants us to experience health.  That  the things we have gone through can be used to bind us to him.  I know this is simple stuff for those of you who do in-depth Bible study all the time, but sometimes it is the simple things I need to be reminded of.

A Dunn Family Update February 21, 2010

Oh my.  It has been a really long time since I have posted here!  The months have flown by so fast!  Over the holidays, Lulu learned to walk and now she is all over the place.  It makes it more difficult to keep up with my kids, but also even more fun!  I turned her car seat around two weeks ago, and it felt so weird.  I have had a baby either in my belly or in my arms for 3 1/2  years.  And now I don’t have babies anymore… I have “toddlers”.

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Anyways, I thought I would just kind of do an update of what we have been up to in this season!  Here are some random tidbits in no particular order:

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Lovebug has really been into golfing, hunting (not quite sure how I feel about this yet ), tractors, and of course making music- basically what he sees any of the guys he adores doing.   He is constantly sorting his golf balls and finding new places to stash them.  Among the many places I have found large amounts of golf balls is in my bed, on the widowsills, in the ice/water compartment on the fridge, in his play kitchen’s oven, in his sister’s baby doll carrier, in a ride-on toy, and under couch pillows.  That’s of course besides his golf bag and toolbox, where they are actually supposed to be!

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Lovebug and I have a little game between us where he likes if I pretend to cry about how big he is getting to be!  I “cry” and say something like “Boohooo, my baby boy is growing toooooo fast!  I don’t want my baby to grow up!”.  One time after I said this, he said to me “I want to grow up so I can be a big boy and HUNT DEER.”  Are you kidding me?  I just started laughing.  And then crying for real.  Just kidding! 🙂  I just couldn’t believe how he put all of that together and he is only 2!  You see, his pawpaw is a hunter, and he likes to be like his grandfathers.  So he has asked about hunting and guns, but we have told him that he is too young right now but we will see when he gets older.  He put those two things together and came up with being bigger means he gets to hunt.  This kid keeps me on my toes, I am telling ya!

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Like I said before, Lulu is walking and saying 1 word over and over and over again.  It’s “mommy” of course!  She literally says it nearly 50 times in a row, even if I am holding her!  It’s really great until it gets on my nerves.  Is that bad, lol?   She has been attached to her baby doll lately.  She sleeps with two, a mini one and a regular sized one.  I love how tender, sweet, and genuinely nurturing she is with them already.  She holds them and kisses them all the time! I know that means she is going to be an amazing Mama!

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Even though her brother can torture her, Lulu still adores him.  For the most part she wants to be around him, and she loves to hold his hand and kiss him.  He normally feels the same way about her unless he is having a testosterone ladened aggressive moment.  Then he wants to see how hard he can squeeze her hand, or how long he can smash her by laying on her until she starts squawking.  Normally its not very long. 🙂

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In the last six months I have developed a few new hobbies and interests with the main being nutrition.  I really think it has helped us to not have to visit the doctor for a sick visit since May of last year. (We are usually pretty healthy during the summer, but had the dreaded “swine flu” while on vacation.) This includes my husband who normally spends the entire winter taking prescription antibiotics!  I have been amazed at what eating fairly healthy, and taking some supplements can do for your body.  We have incorporated green smoothies into our diets 3-5 times a week, and the kids love them!  I will do a post later on the exact supplements we are taking and why I have chosen them if anyone is interested.

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My creative juices have started flowing again.  I am really enjoying making some “girly” things like hairbows and tutus, and at some point would like to learn to sew some aprons.  A website or facebook page might be soon to follow, although I am having some trouble coming up with a name for this idea.  Any suggestions?

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The hubs has been working harder than ever lately trying to fit one full time job, another nearly full time job, spending time with his children and me, and teaching into one 7 day week.  I must say he is doing it brilliantly and I am so proud of him!

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Okay, so this blovel about sums it up!  I promise to try to post a little more often!

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A Doc’s Opinion on Health Care Reform December 23, 2009

I read an interesting post about a Pediatrician’s perspective on why Health Care Reform won’t work.  She works here in Cincinnati.

Check it out here:  6YearMed

While you are there, browse around her site.  It is one of my favorite blogs!

Viva Mexico! November 24, 2009

Well, we are back from Mexico!  We really had a great time laying on the beach and exploring in and around Playa Del Carmen.  Our friends Jake and Krisitin met us there, and we enjoyed getting to hang with them as well. We went to one of the top ten beaches in the world, and also checked out ancient Mayan ruins.  I will post some more pictures soon.

Now that I am back, I have so much to do.  Laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, packing for Thanksgiving, but most importantly loving on my precious kids.  Therefore, I probably won’t be around much unless I unexpectedly get some free time.  But I definitely don’t see that happening anytime soon. 🙂  Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Trying To Remember October 29, 2009

In this season of sickness and exhaustion I am having a hard time being thankful for the little things. At night I feel guilty that I often just want to get the kids to bed so I can have some time for myself. During the day I rarely get a chance to sit down without having to get someone a drink, or an apple, or rinse a paci, or change a pair of wet underpants, or pick up a bowl of  Cheerios for a bawling, devastated toddler- because spilling Cheerios is the END OF THE WORLD!

But then there are little things that remind me to enjoy this time.  Tonight as Lovebug and I were brushing his teeth, it hit me that he wasn’t going to need my help much longer.  That thought was like swallowing a bowling ball, not just a lump.  And ironically enough, just as I was writing this, he came down from bed because he wanted some “popcorn”.  He settled for a 5 minute cuddle with Mommy before being escorted back upstairs. 🙂

So many times I have a “can’t wait until….” mentality.   (We interrupt this post because Lovebug is back again. This time he is not greeted as favorably, lol.  As I was saying..) “I can’t wait until Lovebug does this, or doesn’t do that.”  Ahem.

I really need to work on enjoying the present without fast forwarding to a point in my mind that will be easier or more enjoyable.  The reality is that my life is filled with amazing moments every day, and I think I miss many of them because I see things as inconveniences.   Another (much-needed) perspective might show me these times are just extra opportunities to show love to these little human beings, who God most graciously gave me.

I have a quote above my sink that reads:

“The days are long, but the years are short.”

Oh my, this is so true.  It is such a good reminder to treasure every moment I am given with my children, even if those moments are not in the ideal scenarios.  I am sure there will come a time where I would give anything to be able to get Lovebug one more drink of water, or to wake up with Lulu at 5 a.m. for a feeding.

Well….. maybe not at 5 a.m. 🙂

Grrrrr… October 26, 2009

I am in need of your prayers.

I am in an extremely grumpy mood this morning.  It has been a very difficult 8 days, and I am tired.

We have been holed up in this house the entire time, except a brief 30 minute excursion to Walgreens for meds.The kids and I are going stir-crazy.  Unfortunately right now, the hubs has a six day workweek and even has to work some evenings.  And the kids have not been sleeping well due to Lovebug’s sickness and possibly teething for Lulu.  Who knows?  Hubs has been sleeping downstairs because we definitely do not want him sick. So far he hasn’t gotten it, but today he woke up with a runny nose and body aches. Soooo, we’ll see.

In addition, Lovebug’s temperature spiked again last night, and he has been coughing more.  This means I have to keep an extra-close eye on him to make sure he doesn’t develop a secondary infection. I thought he was getting better.  Wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful we are all not seriously ill, but this does stink.  And I need an attitude adjustment.

Please pray for my patience, energy, and ability to keep the kids entertained and happy while all of this is going on.

Thanks,

Good Ideas For Supporting Your PW October 24, 2009

FYI, My hubs and church body are great about the things mentioned here, but I thought this might be good information for those who are interested in ways to support their Pastor’s wife.

Death by Ministry- Mark Driscoll

I saw this video via Clutch– an amazing blog for pastor’s wives.

Any other PW’s out there?  What other suggestions or ideas do you have?

Children’s Place 50% Fall Sale October 20, 2009

Just wanted to give a quick update.  Children’s Place have now marked down all clearance 50% off!  You can read more about the sale and get some coupon codes here:

The Swine Flu Attacks… October 19, 2009

(Scary music)  It’s heeeerrrreeee….

We have had our first personal encounter with the swine flu!  Our good friends from Boston came to visit us for a few days this weekend, right after attending a wedding in Indianapolis.  I picked them up yesterday and they were scheduled to head out Tuesday morning.  We have been looking forward to this for quite some time, as it has been a whole year since we have seen them.

Last night, Jake had a headache, and started to get a fever.  My senses perked up just enough to make sure Lovebug wasn’t hugging or loving on him while he had a fever.  (This was such a bummer because Lovebug was really close to them when they lived in Cincy)  Well, this morning Jake woke up with a 101 degree fever, sore throat, body aches, and a cough.  Oh boy.

Kristen googled symptoms of H1N1 and of course, one of the top four priority cities for the flu is Indianapolis.   She immediately took him to Urgent Care, where he tested positive.  They wisely decided to fight this one out in a hotel, and hopefully spare our kids the sickness.  The hubs is taking them there now.

Needless to say our house smells like the inside of a Lysol can.  I actually am not very worried, but would definitely appreciate your prayers for Jake and Kristen, and for our family’s protection as well.