Plans Delayed

I should be in my new house by now.  I understand that paperwork doesn't always go through when it's supposed to.  These things happen in Real Estate.  That much I know from when my husband was a Realtor.  Still, that drags our move out for another week, and here I sit with boxes and furniture piled up ready to be moved.  Though we were all disappointed, we weren't about to let this delay ruin our weekend.

Father's Day weekend was full of fun and laughter.  We didn't go anywhere, but just hung out at home, watched the Mariners, played some games, and ate Pizza on Saturday and BBQ on Sunday.  We had company over yesterday for the last time in this house.  They are such good friends and we will miss their family most of all when we move.  They are helping us move though, so they will also be our first company in our new house next weekend! :) 

This week I am planning easy meals and trying to keep life simple.  The older boys are each having over-nighters to say their last goodbyes to their closest friends.  I scheduled BC's annual check up on Wednesday so I can get it out of the way.  Other than that, I will tape up the last of the boxes and hang out with the kids until Saturday finally comes. 

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Spring and bring in Summer.  We're supposed to finally get some warmer weather, so there's lots of outdoor fun to be had!

Next time I post I will probably be in my new home!  Then, the fun of UN-packing begins! 

The Birthday Boy

Today is this guy's birthday...

He's very excited to be 8!  I took cupcakes and balloons to his class to celebrate and one by one his classmates all told me how much they like being his friend.  Some told me how much they are going to miss him when we move.  He's just a likable kind of guy.  That's my boy!

He's not having a birthday party this year because he wanted to wait and celebrate with his dad, after we move next weekend.  Isn't that sweet?  He offered to use some of his birthday money to treat the whole family to dinner...how generous!  (I didn't take him up on it, by the way.)  He often tells me what a great mom I am. Thanks, kiddo...I think you're great too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BC! 

WE LOVE YOU!  

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 11

"The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and faithful in all He does."  Psalm 145:17 (NIV)

It is hard to define in human terms just how faithful God is.  Some versions of this verse say "kind" in all He does.  The word "faithful" appears countless times in the Bible when describing the character of God.  Here are a few examples from the New Testament: 

• He is faithful to call us into fellowship with His Son. (1 Cor. 1:9)
• He is faithful to not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. (1 Cor. 10:13)
• He is faithful to sanctify us completely. (1 Thess. 5:24)
• He is faithful to strengthen and protect us. (2 Thess. 3:3)
• Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. (Hebrews 3:6)
• He is faithful to His promises. (Hebrews 10:23)
• He is faithful when we suffer for doing His will. (1 Peter 4:19)
• He is faithful to forgive our sins. (1 John 1:9)

And let us not forget:

• He is faithful even if we are not, for  "if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for He cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:12-13)

Oh yes, God is faithful.  And I, for one will declair with David in Psalm 36:5 "Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness, to the skies."

Company Girl Coffee - Moving

I've known for 4 months now that I will be moving next month.  Slowly but surely I've been packing what we don't need and getting rid of what we will never need again.  I've taken countless trips to Good Will, and I've thrown away numerous bags of trash.  Now that we're down to three weeks, I am anxious to just pack it all up and be done with the moving part. 

I'm ready to close the chapter here and turn the page to our new life in another town, another home.  But oh, this home has been good to us for almost 7 years now.  It's given us room to grow from 3 children to 5.  We've been able to open our doors to family members, and help out a friend by letting them live with us.  We've had New Year's celebrations with friends and hosted many game nights.  There were BBQ's and S'mores in the Summer and snowmen and Hot Cocoa in the Winter.  Yes, we have lived well here.

I am looking forward to those things and more in our new location.  We are moving to a smaller town, with family only 5 minutes away.  We're looking at a quiet, safe neighborhood where I can let my kids ride their bikes without worry.  If we are blessed enough to get the home we want, it is even more spacious than the one we live in now, with plenty of room for my children to grow into teens.  It will be fun to re-connect with old friends from when we lived their before and meet their children.

There are a lot of uncertainties ahead of us, but this I know:  God has facilitated this move, and He is guiding us every step of the way.

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." -Psalm 48:14 

Following His Lead,
~Melissa 

Company Girl Coffee - Trials and Crowns

I have a weapon, and I'm not afraid to use it!  It seems like lately more and more I am quoting scripture when I feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed.  I am not a Bible scholar, and I do not claim to understand everything I read in the Word of God.  What I do know, is that His Word is strong and His promises are true.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I am on memory verse 10 for this year.  With each verse that I hide away in my heart I feel stronger, and better equipped for when I really need it.  Every one of them has been accompanied by a life lesson, to help me grow in my walk with Him.  I struggled to memorize my last verse, rehearsing it again and again.   Just when I was about to give up, He revealed the significance of the chosen verse in my life.  Because of His generosity, I am changed.

This verse is a long one, but when I heard it from a speaker, I knew I had to memorize it.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  -James 1:12 

If you are experiencing trials of any kind right now, take heart!   The greek word for persevere here is hypomeno, which translates "to remain, abide, not recede or flee:  to preserve- under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ."  (Strongs translation) Do you love Him?  Then "hold fast" to your faith when under trial.  In the end, you will receive the promised crown of life.

Seeking to know Him more,
~Melissa

Link up for more coffee with the Company Girls!

Housekeeping Matters

The words "She keeps her house immaculate" resonated through my mind as I worked swiftly, cleaning the kitchen and dining room this morning.  Questions like "Does she keep a schedule," "What supplies does she use," and "Did she keep it that clean when she had children in the home?" arose in my mind as I pondered what "immaculate" meant to the commenter.  I cleaned what I can only assume was boogers off my dining room wall today.  What more could anyone ask for than a booger-free wall?

Seriously though.  Could I do a better job at keeping my house clean?  Sure.  Immaculate, no.  But there is always room for improvement.  I asked my husband last week if there was one or two things around the house he wished I would do more often, or better.  I gave him complete freedom to hand out any suggestions he wanted, and told him I would take no offense whatsoever.

He suggested vacuuming 2x a week instead of one, and making sure the kids pick up their things before bedtime on a consistent basis.  How helpful!  Those are both easily done!  I don't think he expects me to keep the house immaculate.  If he did, that would be asking way too much at this stage in our lives.  I sure can do my best to keep a reasonable housekeeping schedule though.  It all goes back to my housekeeping mission that I revised at the beginning of the year.

"I want my home to be peaceful, simple, and cozy.  I will value my relationships with my husband and children by showing them unconditional acceptance.  I will maintain a reasonable housekeeping schedule and designate chores to keep clutter at bay.  I will decorate tastefully and affordably creating a relaxing environment for my family and all who enter my home."

Peaceful, simple, cozy.  These are attainable goals.  I think many of us look around and compare ourselves with others far too often.  What is a reasonable schedule for me may be different for a single mom, working mom, or otherwise.  If we set goals that are too unreasonable, then we are only setting ourselves up for failure.

Proverbs 31: 17 says "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."

There is always work to be done.  For me, what matters is that I decide what I am going to do, and then do it well.  Even if it's the task of wiping boogers off my walls! :)

Blessings,
Melissa

P.S. If you've never set up a house-keeping schedule of your own but would like to, pop over to Home Sanctary and start the process with this post.  You'll be glad you did!

Mother's Day Photos

A couple of years ago I started a tradition where I take photos with my kids on Mother's Day. One day I will put them all together in an album, but for now, I'm just going to post them here. :) What a fantastic Mother's Day I had! I feel so blessed to have five wonderful children.

RL (Almost 10)

JS (Almost 9)

BC (Almost 8)

LR (6 1/2)

CD (4 1/2)

My Lovely Gifts! :)