Category Archives: Learning Looking back on my first pregnancy almost 6 years ago—I remember being overwhelmed…would I know what to do…would I mess them up?! How would I ever get them on a schedule? And what was a schedule anyway?! This mommy is definitely still learning. But 6 years and 3 kids later I definitely see things differently—wish I knew […]  K–I feel like I had a lot to say…but little time…so I’m all over the place. Once again…bear with me;) I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my hubby’s return from Africa…hence no bloggin’…and just chillin’ with the fam. I’ve also been playing with a video editing program—so hang tight…really fun videos to come all next week about […] Have I told you yet that your blog is like food for my soul?! Thank you giving me inspiration! It feels so good to do for others. Your husband is a very Blessed man! awesome garden and beautiful pics…what a great present 🙂 kj […] You can check out my last “hubby away let’s surprise him when he gets back” post here. You can trust my surprises with all my kids taggin’ along are never simple. I was made to […] […] to his favor. Like–the nervous energy has turned productive…like when I built him that flower garden when he was in Africa in March. But MY how the Lord has even taught me things through that. I would […] […] by side mean. The flowers in my garden were planted when Richard was in Africa in March of 2010. You can read about it here. (Most of you also know that I do crazy things every time Richard is gone to […]  OK—first before I get going…for those of you who are (YAY! SO EXCITED!) going to be accountability with me in 2010 in the chronological 1 year read through of the Bible (see previous post if you haven’t already! And join us!)–someone made a GREAT suggestion to post a link we could ALL print off to […] awesome post my friend!! that is a FABULOUS new born shot!! The wait was easy for me UNTIL I got to the #1 spot..and there I sat FOREVER!! I lost all patience and thought I’d throw up every day…THEN…losing referral was HARD…then waiting the 3 extra weeks to get LLM’s referral was EXCRUCIATING!! (sp?) THEN, it was hard all the way up until I boarded the plane…then I could deep breathe and finally relax…crazy, but yes, so worth it 🙂 kj Kristi–honestly, the Lord continues to use those of YOU who have traveled this road before to REMIND me how HIS plan and wait is WORTH it! Seeing those chubby cheeks and BIG happy smile on LLM’s face…SO WORTH THE WAIT. I love how God brings others in our lives at the perfect time to remind us…and He has been using you in my life during this journey and others who have traveled this road to remind me of His perfect plan…so I wait with joy:)…most of the time;) Thank you for sharing your heart. Your story is much like our story with Ryann. I posted it a couple of few weeks ago. I think that God has been aligning our lives to make this journey together and we will forever be friends. I agree sweet Amy! So funny how similar our stories are…and even crazier that we are right beside one another in line! And even crazier that our family lives in Columbia, TN…so getting our babies together during special holidays and visits will be so much fun!!! I remember reading your story of Ryann a few weeks ago and smiling that it reminded me of ours!!! XOXO! Well, I wasn’t on an adoption waiting list, but the month it took after our in-vitro was the LONGEST one of my life. When we found out that not even one of our 4 babies (embryos) made was probably one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with. Talk about crying, I was a basket case for quite a while. But thankfully, we serve an on-time God who knew there was going to be a sweet lady who was pregnant and couldn’t raise her baby. Had even one of the 4 babies survived, I wouldn’t have my Sam and my life wouldn’t be anywhere as wonderful as it is with him in it. God already knows your baby and the exact time He will give him/her to you. I too am not a patient person, but God’s timing is perfect and He is smiling at you right now even through your tears and impatience. Know that I love you and cannot wait to meet baby #4!!!!! Pam–thank you so much for your words of encouragement!!! I think of Mr.Sam ALL THE TIME…and what a MIRACLE he is!!! I love seeing pictures of your sweet family and how full of JOY you ALL are…so complete! The Lord has done great things for you!!! I am so thankful to be a part of your story and to have you a part of mine! Love you sweet cousin! I am so in for the Bible reading! Really excited about this! Oh, and that is by far the cutest announcment ever :)Could just eat him up! I don’t think I’ve commented to tell you I’m reading with ya:) I have a few fbook friends reading with us, too! Mommying is my job. Yes–I’m a photographer…but my first job is and always has been–MOM. This past year, having a 3rd baby in our family, I really began to feel my 2nd job (photographer) start to creep into how I did my first job (mommy)…so it was time to close down job #2 (photographer) for […] Love it!!!! Sounds great, and you are sooo right on 🙂  OK…so I was MIA for a few days. But lemme tell ya—now I can actually concentrate on writing again. First, muchos gracious to my blog readers for following me over to this new address. If you have my old blog address saved in your blogroll, please put this new address www.babeofmyheart.comin its place. I’m new to […] what a beautiful first gift for the nursery. and it does capture the love and sacrifice of both the ethiopian mommy and the forever mommy. what joy i find in resting in him and know that his power is greater in my weaknesses. i realize his power must be so great, because i am so weak! thank you for your honesty, sweet andrea! Geez, talk about getting emotional reading that quote! I guess I should not read blogs at work… Thank you for sharing! Love that frame too! You can’t go wrong with any of the frames from Magnolia Lane. I sure miss Carta Bella. 🙁 My favorite store in Vickery Village until they moved to Roswell. Such a sweet family. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂 How do you watermark a picture on your blog? thanks!!Polly |
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by admin
We had a scheduled “Quiet Time” for both kids until they went to all-day school (1st grade). We even used it during a long road trip in the mid-west one summer. They grew up knowing that Quiet Time meant quiet regardless where their bodies were. They need time to think and read and hopefully, as they grow into teens, young adults, adults, they will continue Quiet Time on their own and turn it into prayer, reading the Bible, thinking, goal setting, regrouping, resting. That has been my own “did right” for my family. =)
i love the way you share truth….about everything! and especially here about parenting. you do it with such grace and with no judgement. yet you share REAL truth and great practical ideas! thanks!
i agree…the Word has all we need to know to be the mom God wants us to be! there are lots of good books out there…but the Word is the BEST one! and the one we should go to when we’re really at the end of our ropes!
your children are blessed to call you their mom!
I love this post…your are so right….so many books! Read THE BOOK! How true…our souls long for answers and quick fixes….going to the One is what we need to do and he will guide us as parents! He promises to!
Hi andrea, i’ve just found your delightful blog; thanks for the great words you share. I am struggling with how to do meaningful devotions with our kids (5.5, 3.5, 1.5). We are just reading a devo book for kids (maybe a little too old for them), but I feel like we could do more. When you use the felt board, is that each night, with the bible story? Have you taught them a way to pray? i.e. one sentence thank you prayer/one sentence request prayer? Do you require the baby to be with you all too? Ours gets very noisy. With memory verses, what do you mean you teach one that you happen to be dealing with at that time? How do you teach them anyway?
Could you make a whole new post on this topic? 🙂
Thanks so very much
Great post, thanks for sharing your heart! So many of those books stressed me out so bad! Cryin it out? Really? That sooo did not work for me. 15 minutes was my breaking point. I did have a book that had a few ideas that helped me get my boy on schedule, but most of it I disregarded. The thing that worked bet for me is watching my son for one week, writing down his natural schedule…when he would start rubbing his eyes, when his cranky times were, when he at…and I started to notice a pattern! Now, he goes down for a nap at the same time everyday. Noon hits and I ask him if he’s ready for bed and HE walks to his room, turns on his fan and asks me to put him in his crib! Okie dokie! Easy enough….I agree…it really is easy just don’t read too much into all the overwhelming advice you get. …of course this is coming from a mom of one…I’m sure I have a lot to learn still.