In honor of the upcoming new year, I am going to post my new year's resolutions. I think this will help me to be more accountable. Plus, the name of my blog is "Becoming...a better wife, mother, and follower of Christ." And I really don't talk about that very much, except the mother part, anyway. All of my resolutions ultimately have to do with those 3 things. My goal is to post them today and try to update once a week on how they're going. I hope this isn't a total bomb, but I've never really done this before (and been serious about it.) Pray for me as I start this journey!
Better wife
1. Nail down a good budget.
This one is mine and Shaun's. We've always had a budget of sorts, but lately we haven't stuck to it very well.
2. Plan my days better.
I'm not good with housecleaning and organization, so I'm going to start setting goals for the day, week, etc., and work at achieving those goals. I know that it will be impossible at this stage in my life to actually say "8:00 do this" because of Cayson. He's on a pretty good schedule, but I need to be flexible for him. So I think setting goals will be better.
3. Pray for husband more often.
I do this on a fairly regular basis, but it can stand some improvement.
4. Exercise more.
Actually, remove the "more". Because exercising isn't happening right now! I have lost all of my pregnancy weight, but I had gained some before I got pregnant that I am now working on. I've already lost 7 pounds below my pg weight.
Better Mother
1. Pray for my son more.
Again, this is happening, but it could be even better.
2. Spend more time playing with him.
This really isn't that hard!
*I guess the things I mentioned in the "Better wife" category will also make me a better mother as well!
Better follower of Christ
*I should have put this one at the top, because becoming a better follower of Christ will make me both a better wife and mother. But save the best for last, I guess.
1. Make time to spend with God.
I have to be more intentional about this. Otherwise, the day just gets away from me.
2. Pray more.
3. Go.
Matthew 28:19-20. This is our theme for our church this year. I need to be more intentional about meeting people and conversations I have.
Well, there it is. Shaun and I have some more that we've decided on as a family. One that I will share is we are going to invite at least 1 different couple over or out each month. Since we've been here, our circle of friends has gotten very small. It happened before we realized it. We made friends that we are very comfortable around and that's who we kinda stuck with. But we want to strive to "open the circle" and get to know some more couples. I'll try to update you on this as it happens. Please pray for us as we start this new year. I got a great start today (even though it's still 2006). I woke up feeling very refreshed and excited about going to worship. My outlook just seemed brighter today. Pray that I will remember these resolutions, even on days not like today!
I love you guys. Happy New Year!
Brittany
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Just to let you know...
all is well in the Martin household! (No, you didn't miss anything, I just hadn't posted any news in a while.)
Christmas went pretty much without a hitch. It wasn't quite what I expected, mainly because our traditions were "off". I am used to making a Christmas Eve "rush" to see all of my family and Shaun's. This year, we went to Warren over the weekend and came back on Saturday the 23rd. We went to church on Christmas Eve and spent that evening at Shaun's parents. Christmas day we actually got to sleep in a little bit. This will probably be the last Christmas morning that will happen for a while! And I did some cleaning...yes, on Christmas morning! Shaun's parents wanted to come see Cayson "open" his gifts so while we waited on them I cleaned. Cayson actually didn't open his gifts until about noon! That probably won't ever happen again either, for a while anyway! He really did a good job. He loved the ribbon and the paper. And he loved chewing on his new clothes. He also got some toys, but I think he will have to grow into them a little.
That night, Shaun and I prepared a special dinner for just the two of us. Roast duck, twice baked mashed potatoes, and sweet green beans. It was wonderful! Then we opened our gifts to each other. It really was a nice day. Just different without my family.
Our worship time on Sunday was really special, in my opinion. There were several technical bloopers, which irks Shaun, but as I told him, it was still a really worshipful time. There is just something really special about being in church at Christmastime.
Well, I guess I need to get off of here. We spent the whole day today, just being lazy. It felt good, but now I need to clean! Oh, I get to see Lee Ann and Taylor tomorrow!
Happy New Year!
Christmas went pretty much without a hitch. It wasn't quite what I expected, mainly because our traditions were "off". I am used to making a Christmas Eve "rush" to see all of my family and Shaun's. This year, we went to Warren over the weekend and came back on Saturday the 23rd. We went to church on Christmas Eve and spent that evening at Shaun's parents. Christmas day we actually got to sleep in a little bit. This will probably be the last Christmas morning that will happen for a while! And I did some cleaning...yes, on Christmas morning! Shaun's parents wanted to come see Cayson "open" his gifts so while we waited on them I cleaned. Cayson actually didn't open his gifts until about noon! That probably won't ever happen again either, for a while anyway! He really did a good job. He loved the ribbon and the paper. And he loved chewing on his new clothes. He also got some toys, but I think he will have to grow into them a little.
That night, Shaun and I prepared a special dinner for just the two of us. Roast duck, twice baked mashed potatoes, and sweet green beans. It was wonderful! Then we opened our gifts to each other. It really was a nice day. Just different without my family.
Our worship time on Sunday was really special, in my opinion. There were several technical bloopers, which irks Shaun, but as I told him, it was still a really worshipful time. There is just something really special about being in church at Christmastime.
Well, I guess I need to get off of here. We spent the whole day today, just being lazy. It felt good, but now I need to clean! Oh, I get to see Lee Ann and Taylor tomorrow!
Happy New Year!
This is so true!
I get a weekly email from BabyCenter.com which gives me information about Cayson's development and this was at the end of it!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
I Feel Better
After writing my last post, I was determined to get in the Christmas spirit and really focus on what's most important. But the devil knows just where to attack. Something else happened that really got me down, but after reading a wonderful comment that Suzanne made on my last post, I feel so much better. I'm not going let circumstances steal my joy. Pray for me this week as I've got lots of feelings to sort through and major shopping to do!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
A Christmas Vent
This Christmas season I have had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. This is really hard for me because I love Christmas. I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving, start listening to Christmas music in October, and usually have my shopping done by the first of December. And you would think this year would be especially exciting since it's Cayson's first Christmas. But some things are hindering my enthusiasm. I though maybe if I address the problems then I can get past them. So here goes...
1. We went to Warren this year for Thanksgiving and didn't come home until that Saturday night. Therefore I didn't get my tree up until late Sunday night. And it took longer than I expected so after midnight we still had stuff everywhere and I had to have the place cleaned up by the next morning because I had to babysit. (Wow that was a long runon sentence.) It just seemed more like a chore after that.
2. We still aren't through with our shopping. Mainly because we're broke.
3. We haven't had a chance to go look at lights yet, which is also one of my favorite things to do.
4. Our anniversary was this past Wednesday and it was spent at the church, again because we're broke.
5. People shopping are rude this time of year. A lot are, anyway. I went to Walmart today. First of all, I parked in the back so I wouldn't have to fight for a space. It was perfect, too. There was a lone buggy sitting there, waiting for me to get it. It's easier for me to put Cayson in the buggy so I don't have to carry him in the carrier all the way. He's pretty heavy. Anyway, this man pulls in the spot next to me, at the same time. Because I'm a mother that has lots of stuff to get, including a baby, he beat me to the buggy. And he didn't even have anything to put in it. So I had to carry Cayson, who weighs about 16 pounds now, plus the weight of his carrier, all the way to the front. Plus, carrying my purse and his diaper bag. Once I got in Walmart and got a buggy, it was so packed. I had to go to the Christmas section, which I found that they are already marking down and condensing the aisles. They will probably put out Valentine's stuff tomorrow. Or maybe even Easter. Anyway, here I am with a buggy and a baby, I'm trying to get down an aisle and someone starts coming down the other way. Also, there is a Walmart associate working on one side of the aisle, so it's pretty much one way only. And the person just keeps on coming. They didn't even have a buggy! Whew...I'm getting mad again. Ibetter stop!
Okay, I need to list some positive things before I close this blogging session.
1. I have a wonderful husband and son who are both healthy, happy, and handsome!
2. I have a place to live, 2 cars to drive, food to eat, cell phones with bluetooth, a cute dog, a wonderful church family, this list could go on and on.
3. The most important: I have a wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who came to earth to save me from my sin.
Wow, that really puts things in perspective! Thanks for letting me sort through my "Scrooginess" and really get to the heart of the season!
P.S. One more good thing: we're getting fiber to the home! (It's something to do with the internet that makes it really, really fast and my husband has assured me it's a great thing!)
1. We went to Warren this year for Thanksgiving and didn't come home until that Saturday night. Therefore I didn't get my tree up until late Sunday night. And it took longer than I expected so after midnight we still had stuff everywhere and I had to have the place cleaned up by the next morning because I had to babysit. (Wow that was a long runon sentence.) It just seemed more like a chore after that.
2. We still aren't through with our shopping. Mainly because we're broke.
3. We haven't had a chance to go look at lights yet, which is also one of my favorite things to do.
4. Our anniversary was this past Wednesday and it was spent at the church, again because we're broke.
5. People shopping are rude this time of year. A lot are, anyway. I went to Walmart today. First of all, I parked in the back so I wouldn't have to fight for a space. It was perfect, too. There was a lone buggy sitting there, waiting for me to get it. It's easier for me to put Cayson in the buggy so I don't have to carry him in the carrier all the way. He's pretty heavy. Anyway, this man pulls in the spot next to me, at the same time. Because I'm a mother that has lots of stuff to get, including a baby, he beat me to the buggy. And he didn't even have anything to put in it. So I had to carry Cayson, who weighs about 16 pounds now, plus the weight of his carrier, all the way to the front. Plus, carrying my purse and his diaper bag. Once I got in Walmart and got a buggy, it was so packed. I had to go to the Christmas section, which I found that they are already marking down and condensing the aisles. They will probably put out Valentine's stuff tomorrow. Or maybe even Easter. Anyway, here I am with a buggy and a baby, I'm trying to get down an aisle and someone starts coming down the other way. Also, there is a Walmart associate working on one side of the aisle, so it's pretty much one way only. And the person just keeps on coming. They didn't even have a buggy! Whew...I'm getting mad again. Ibetter stop!
Okay, I need to list some positive things before I close this blogging session.
1. I have a wonderful husband and son who are both healthy, happy, and handsome!
2. I have a place to live, 2 cars to drive, food to eat, cell phones with bluetooth, a cute dog, a wonderful church family, this list could go on and on.
3. The most important: I have a wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who came to earth to save me from my sin.
Wow, that really puts things in perspective! Thanks for letting me sort through my "Scrooginess" and really get to the heart of the season!
P.S. One more good thing: we're getting fiber to the home! (It's something to do with the internet that makes it really, really fast and my husband has assured me it's a great thing!)
Monday, December 11, 2006
A few updates
Our choir presented "The Christmas Shoes" last night. It went so well. Everyone is already talking about what we're going to do for Easter!
Shaun and I will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary this Wednesday. Time has flown by!
Cayson is doing so great. He is pretty much sleeping through the night now. And he's finally on a schedule. Granted, it's a loose one, but it is there! He's going to be starting solids before I know it.
Really, that's pretty much it. Our life lately has been so consumed with getting the musical ready that not much is going on. I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and not stressing out too much!
Shaun and I will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary this Wednesday. Time has flown by!
Cayson is doing so great. He is pretty much sleeping through the night now. And he's finally on a schedule. Granted, it's a loose one, but it is there! He's going to be starting solids before I know it.
Really, that's pretty much it. Our life lately has been so consumed with getting the musical ready that not much is going on. I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and not stressing out too much!
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Going Better...
Well, it's getting better. Putting Cayson to bed, I mean. I mentioned in my last post that we are putting him to bed almost asleep now, and letting him soothe himself to sleep. The first night, he cried for the first 5 minutes and we then soothed him to sleep. The next night, he cried for 5 minutes, we comforted him, laid him down again, and he was asleep BY HIMSELF in about 9 minutes. Last night, he was asleep within the first 5 minutes. And today during his afternoon nap he even went to sleep on his own, within a couple of minutes. Tonight, however, was a different story. He cried for 5 minutes. I comforted him. He cried for 10 minutes. I comforted him. Then he cried for 14 minutes and fell asleep. This was very rough. But it is working. I just have to stand my ground. (OH, I always make sure when he's crying that it's not because he's hungry or wet or something. Just in case you were wondering.) This is a hard time for me because, number 1, it's horrible hearing him cry. And number 2, it's his first step of independence. It's very bittersweet. He's just growing so fast!
In other news, this week is one of 2 of the busiest weeks of the year for Shaun and I. It's Christmas cantata week. (The other is Easter cantata week.) Shaun will be at the church late every night this week preparing for it. We were able to purchase a new projector for the sanctuary. We put the old one facing the back wall so that the choir can see their words and not have to have books. (We actually have it memorized, most of us anyway, but it's nice to have a crutch.) Plus, our pastor can use it to keep an eye on his powerpoint and not have to turn around. And it saves money on copies of music for the choir.
Anyway, Shaun installed the projectors last night and tonight. And he's working on building the set. This should really be an awesome cantata. We're presenting "The Christmas Shoes" based on the novel by Donna VanLiere and the song by Newsong. It's very powerful.
If anybody reading this happens to be in the Fort Smith area on Sunday, December 10, we'd love to have you! It starts at 6 pm at First Southern Baptist Church in Central City. We're right on Hwy 22.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Sleep Methods
Ok, here's a question for the parents out there. What sleep method did you use on your children? Did you rock them to sleep, or lay them down almost alseep and let them fall asleep on their own? And if they cried did you do the "let them cry for 5 minutes and check on them and increase the time every time"? How did it work?
Here's where this is coming from. From speaking to a few people and doing a lot of reading, I've found that now is the time to start teaching Cayson to soothe himself to sleep. So we started last night. I nursed him and when he got really sleepy we laid him down. Of course he started crying. He's getting in the habit of wanting to be nursed to sleep. So we let him cry for 5 minutes. This was the hardest 5 minutes of my life! I think I cried more than he did. But it seemed to work. At the end of it, he was almost asleep, so Shaun picked him up and comforted him to sleep. And he slept through his normal 3 am feeding! So tonight we're going to try it again and this time check on him at 5 minutes and then at 10 minutes.
I'd love to hear from parents out there to see how you handled this. And if you did use this method, did you feel just horrible, too? I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he gets older and we have to discipline him.
Being a mom is hard work! But so far it has been such a blessing!
Here's where this is coming from. From speaking to a few people and doing a lot of reading, I've found that now is the time to start teaching Cayson to soothe himself to sleep. So we started last night. I nursed him and when he got really sleepy we laid him down. Of course he started crying. He's getting in the habit of wanting to be nursed to sleep. So we let him cry for 5 minutes. This was the hardest 5 minutes of my life! I think I cried more than he did. But it seemed to work. At the end of it, he was almost asleep, so Shaun picked him up and comforted him to sleep. And he slept through his normal 3 am feeding! So tonight we're going to try it again and this time check on him at 5 minutes and then at 10 minutes.
I'd love to hear from parents out there to see how you handled this. And if you did use this method, did you feel just horrible, too? I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he gets older and we have to discipline him.
Being a mom is hard work! But so far it has been such a blessing!
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Holiday Quiz
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White
4. Do you hang mistletoe? yes
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving as possible!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey and dressing
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my grandparents' houses.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I really don't remember.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Shaun and I exchange an ornament on Christmas Eve.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, blue and silver decorations, and lots of snowmen!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!
12. Can you ice skate? I am decent.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My bicycle when I was 7, I think.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Christ's birth and being with family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My grandma's chocolate pie, lemon pie, and Shaun's grandma's peanut butter balls!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating and my ornament exchange with my husband.
17. What tops your tree? Angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Because it's Christmas
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum!
I'm tagging Lee Ann and Mandy!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White
4. Do you hang mistletoe? yes
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving as possible!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey and dressing
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my grandparents' houses.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I really don't remember.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Shaun and I exchange an ornament on Christmas Eve.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, blue and silver decorations, and lots of snowmen!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!
12. Can you ice skate? I am decent.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My bicycle when I was 7, I think.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Christ's birth and being with family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My grandma's chocolate pie, lemon pie, and Shaun's grandma's peanut butter balls!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating and my ornament exchange with my husband.
17. What tops your tree? Angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Because it's Christmas
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum!
I'm tagging Lee Ann and Mandy!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Ok, Ok!
I made a quiz about me and posted it on Facebook a little while back, but I forgot to put it on here. So if you think you know me, take this quiz!
Brittany's Quiz
Another great quiz you should check out is Lee Ann's quiz.
Brittany's Quiz
Another great quiz you should check out is Lee Ann's quiz.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Family Emphasis at First Southern
Hello fellow bloggers. Cayson is finally asleep so I have some time to blog.
Church was awesome Sunday. It has been family emphasis month at our church and Sunday was the climax. First of all, we had 4 baptisms. How awesome is that?! The worship time was so incredible. Our choir sang a song called "Something Happens" that has to be the most worshipful song I have ever sung. It's all about how something has to happen when we call on the name of Jesus. At the end of the song most of it is just calling/singing His name over and over. It's wonderful. Russ preached on the Lord's Supper. And during the invitation time, we took the Lord's Supper, but in a little different way. Usually the juice and wafer are just passed around, but this time we had 4 tables set up across the front of the sanctuary. Russ, Shaun, and a couple of our deacons each stood at a table. Russ invited everyone to pray together as a family and then come as a family to partake in the Lord's Supper. It was such an intimate time. And we didn't have children's church so everyone's whole family could be together. It was just an awesome time.
Then Sunday night we had our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat. We had a great turnout. Cayson was a tootsie roll! He was so cute! And he even won some baby food! Although he's not quite ready for it yet, it will come in handy when he is.
Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope everyone is having a great week!
Church was awesome Sunday. It has been family emphasis month at our church and Sunday was the climax. First of all, we had 4 baptisms. How awesome is that?! The worship time was so incredible. Our choir sang a song called "Something Happens" that has to be the most worshipful song I have ever sung. It's all about how something has to happen when we call on the name of Jesus. At the end of the song most of it is just calling/singing His name over and over. It's wonderful. Russ preached on the Lord's Supper. And during the invitation time, we took the Lord's Supper, but in a little different way. Usually the juice and wafer are just passed around, but this time we had 4 tables set up across the front of the sanctuary. Russ, Shaun, and a couple of our deacons each stood at a table. Russ invited everyone to pray together as a family and then come as a family to partake in the Lord's Supper. It was such an intimate time. And we didn't have children's church so everyone's whole family could be together. It was just an awesome time.
Then Sunday night we had our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat. We had a great turnout. Cayson was a tootsie roll! He was so cute! And he even won some baby food! Although he's not quite ready for it yet, it will come in handy when he is.
Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope everyone is having a great week!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Golden Opportunity
Hiya folks. As I'm writing this I am watching Dora the Explorer! Why? Because I am now keeping Ty, the 2 year old son of some friends of ours. Some of you might know them...his dad was the youth minister at Immanuel Baptist in Warren until about a year and a half ago. Now he's the youth minister at a church up here. Anyway, this is a golden opportunity because I'm getting to experience what it's like to have a toddler and a baby at the same time. I do want to have more kids someday, relatively close together. So far, it's been pretty easy. Nursing has been a small challenge, but I've figured out how to accomplish it while having privacy and keeping an eye on Ty. And he's potty-training, but that's just good experience for me! Time is flying by so quickly that it'll be no time before Cayson is ready to potty-train.
We had a double baby shower yesterday. One for a baby already born (they didn't know what they were having so we waited until after the fact) and the other is due in a month. Our church is growing in so many ways! Since we've been here there have been 5 babies born (counting Cayson) and 3 more expecting. There was another one, but we got the sad news a week ago Sunday that one of our mothers had lost her baby. And she was 8 months along. They had to deliver it on that Saturday and then the next day another lady had her baby. It was a sad situation. Please keep that family in your prayers.
This is also a golden opportunity because I'm actually getting to blog. Dora is Great!!! (What a random thought!)
Saturday I had to leave Cayson for the first time with his Grandma Sherri. (I don't know if she wants to be Grandma Sherri or Grandma Martin. She just now decided on Grandma, rather than Nana or something like that. I guess I'll have to ask her.) Shaun, his brother Kevin, his dad, and I went to the Razorbacks game. It was fun, mostly, but I missed Cayson terribly. And we didn't have the greatest seats. We sat in the level above the band...2 rows from the top! I felt like we were in another atmosphere. But the view was incredible. The leaves are starting to change and it was so beautiful. But getting up there was NOT. We were late anyway because the line to our gate was a mile long. (I'm not exaggerating.) So by the time we got to our seats we had missed the kickoff and the first touchdown. And everytime we tell someone that their reply is "You missed the best play of the game!" Oh well. Oh, it is not fun to climb all those ramps when you've just had a baby! I have seriously got to get back in shape. I have lost all of my pregnancy weight, however! Plus a pound.
Well, I've mostly caught everyone up on what's been going on in my life. Oh, Shaun's been leading worship for a revival. There, that's everything. Hopefully I'll get to blog more, so my posts won't be this long. I hope everyone has a great day!
We had a double baby shower yesterday. One for a baby already born (they didn't know what they were having so we waited until after the fact) and the other is due in a month. Our church is growing in so many ways! Since we've been here there have been 5 babies born (counting Cayson) and 3 more expecting. There was another one, but we got the sad news a week ago Sunday that one of our mothers had lost her baby. And she was 8 months along. They had to deliver it on that Saturday and then the next day another lady had her baby. It was a sad situation. Please keep that family in your prayers.
This is also a golden opportunity because I'm actually getting to blog. Dora is Great!!! (What a random thought!)
Saturday I had to leave Cayson for the first time with his Grandma Sherri. (I don't know if she wants to be Grandma Sherri or Grandma Martin. She just now decided on Grandma, rather than Nana or something like that. I guess I'll have to ask her.) Shaun, his brother Kevin, his dad, and I went to the Razorbacks game. It was fun, mostly, but I missed Cayson terribly. And we didn't have the greatest seats. We sat in the level above the band...2 rows from the top! I felt like we were in another atmosphere. But the view was incredible. The leaves are starting to change and it was so beautiful. But getting up there was NOT. We were late anyway because the line to our gate was a mile long. (I'm not exaggerating.) So by the time we got to our seats we had missed the kickoff and the first touchdown. And everytime we tell someone that their reply is "You missed the best play of the game!" Oh well. Oh, it is not fun to climb all those ramps when you've just had a baby! I have seriously got to get back in shape. I have lost all of my pregnancy weight, however! Plus a pound.
Well, I've mostly caught everyone up on what's been going on in my life. Oh, Shaun's been leading worship for a revival. There, that's everything. Hopefully I'll get to blog more, so my posts won't be this long. I hope everyone has a great day!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Cayson
My son blows my mind! I love him so much! Last night (or this morning, rather) he smiled at me. It was the biggest smile yet. It made me forget all about how tired I was. I love to just lay on the couch and hold him. Well, he's waking up from his nap, so I'd better go.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
We dedicated Cayson to the Lord Sunday. It was a very emotional event. Cayson did great...he slept through it! But afterwards, Shaun sang the song "I Want to be Just Like You" by Phillips, Craig and Dean. He cried the whole way through it! I have seen Shaun sing many times, even in some emotional situations, and he's always been able to push aside his own emotions and just sing. But this time was different. In a good way. It's just such an awesome song with very powerful words. And I know he took them to heart.
My whole family came up for the occasion. We had 12 people, including me, Shaun, and Cayson, in our house!!! It was definitely an adventure.
On Saturday, we held Hog Slop 2006 for the youth. We watched the Arkansas/Auburn game first--which was awesome, by the way--and then played games in the mud. It was pretty funny!
My whole family came up for the occasion. We had 12 people, including me, Shaun, and Cayson, in our house!!! It was definitely an adventure.
On Saturday, we held Hog Slop 2006 for the youth. We watched the Arkansas/Auburn game first--which was awesome, by the way--and then played games in the mud. It was pretty funny!
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Housecleaning and Church news
Wow, I finally have a little bit of free time! Such is the life of a new mother! I'm loving every minute of it, though. You know, I've learned a lot since I've become a mom. Like the fact that laundry never ends! Before, I could do laundry all in one day once a week and stay pretty well caught up. Now, it seems like I have so much more! For one thing, the baby goes through so many outfits a day, or so it seems anyway! And between spit-up and other types of leakage (I'll leave it at that!) Shaun and I go through more clothes, too. I have so much to do around the house and all I can seem to get done is nurse, laundry, change diapers, nurse, dishes, change diapers, nurse, pick up the living room, change diapers...did I mention nurse and change diapers??? I did get tSo o clean out our closet tonight. And the nursery is finally finished. But we still have that other room that needs cleaning. The office/junk room. Maybe we'll get around to it one day.
Oops...my intent for this post was not to talk about my housecleaning, or lack thereof. I meant to actually talk about the other major part of our life: the church. There's a lot going on right now. We've started a new outreach program called G.R.O.W. (God Rewards Our Work.) So far it's going well. We've had 2 outreach nights so far and we've made a total of 133 contacts with 28 people involved in this ministry. Also, we had high attendance Sunday a few weeks ago and our Bible Study hour had 185 people attend...the most this church has ever had! We had about 250 in worship that day. The really great thing is we have been averaging 150 in Bible Study (Sunday School) and 200 in worship since that day. The best thing is lives are changing. The night before high attendance Sunday, Shaun had a bonfire for the youth. We had 32 kids show up. We usually average about 10. The goal for this event was 20. And Shaun had the opportunity to lead a young man to Christ! He was baptized this past Sunday.
Also, this month is Family Emphasis month. This past Sunday Russ preached on the husband/wife relationship. It was awesome. Sunday night was very different. Instead of worship time as usual, we had date night. We provided activities for the children and youth at the church and the adults were to go out on a date and just spend quality time together. I think everyone really appreciated the opportunity. This coming Sunday the message is on the family and there will be a baby dedication. Guess who? Yep, Cayson will be dedicated Sunday! That night, instead of church, it is family game night. Each family is encouraged to stay home and spend quality time together. The week after that is focused on reaching out to other families. And that night we are supposed to invite a family from church that we don't know very well, as well as a couple that might be a prospect over for dinner. I'm really excited about that. Then the next week is a celebration time as well as a family Lord's supper. Then the last week we are having fall festival. Last year they had over 300 people, so we are expecting more than that this year. Oh, and I am very excited because we're dressing Cayson up as a Tootsie Roll!!!
Well, I guess that's it. I don't even know if anyone will read this. I haven't been having any visitors lately. I guess because it's been a while since I wrote anything of interest to anyone other than moms! I'll try to do better. I've just got to make more time. I can't imagine how it would be if I were working! Ok, now this post has come full circle. Oh well. Goodnight!
Oops...my intent for this post was not to talk about my housecleaning, or lack thereof. I meant to actually talk about the other major part of our life: the church. There's a lot going on right now. We've started a new outreach program called G.R.O.W. (God Rewards Our Work.) So far it's going well. We've had 2 outreach nights so far and we've made a total of 133 contacts with 28 people involved in this ministry. Also, we had high attendance Sunday a few weeks ago and our Bible Study hour had 185 people attend...the most this church has ever had! We had about 250 in worship that day. The really great thing is we have been averaging 150 in Bible Study (Sunday School) and 200 in worship since that day. The best thing is lives are changing. The night before high attendance Sunday, Shaun had a bonfire for the youth. We had 32 kids show up. We usually average about 10. The goal for this event was 20. And Shaun had the opportunity to lead a young man to Christ! He was baptized this past Sunday.
Also, this month is Family Emphasis month. This past Sunday Russ preached on the husband/wife relationship. It was awesome. Sunday night was very different. Instead of worship time as usual, we had date night. We provided activities for the children and youth at the church and the adults were to go out on a date and just spend quality time together. I think everyone really appreciated the opportunity. This coming Sunday the message is on the family and there will be a baby dedication. Guess who? Yep, Cayson will be dedicated Sunday! That night, instead of church, it is family game night. Each family is encouraged to stay home and spend quality time together. The week after that is focused on reaching out to other families. And that night we are supposed to invite a family from church that we don't know very well, as well as a couple that might be a prospect over for dinner. I'm really excited about that. Then the next week is a celebration time as well as a family Lord's supper. Then the last week we are having fall festival. Last year they had over 300 people, so we are expecting more than that this year. Oh, and I am very excited because we're dressing Cayson up as a Tootsie Roll!!!
Well, I guess that's it. I don't even know if anyone will read this. I haven't been having any visitors lately. I guess because it's been a while since I wrote anything of interest to anyone other than moms! I'll try to do better. I've just got to make more time. I can't imagine how it would be if I were working! Ok, now this post has come full circle. Oh well. Goodnight!
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