I am greatly looking forward to the book Steady Days I 'won' [??] in a give away.

... from the website... *ahem*

Steady Days takes you through the process of becoming a professional mother: one who is organized and excited to spend time with your young children.

Poor Mr. Baker has been hearing about it all day.
... work sheets.
...40 chapters

I can't wait to read all of the guidance this book has to offers.

Much thanks to the 'wearethatfamily' blogger, Kristen, for sharing such a gift...

www.wearethatfamily.com

It is a really delightful blog. [Thanks, Lacy for introducing me]

Morrie

This book has really touched my heart over these past few days... I had seen it on Best Seller racks years ago, but it wasn't until it was only 10 cents at the library sale that I picked it up.

It is a short read, and worth every word. I highly recommend that everyone read it.

Redeem

Let go, for you are encumbered.

Wait...

Listen...

Breathe.

Festivities!

:: Insert sigh of content here ::

I am really looking forward to these new endeavors we are taking on here at the Baker home..

Which coincides with the movie 'Fire Proof' ... You watch the DVD with your lover and then go through this little 40 day bootcamp for marriages. At the end of each day there is a little Love Dare.

IE: Day 12 : Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Oh, I'm so excited!

We decided to hop on the bandwagon for Your Baby Can Read. We are on Day 3 of having it.
$200 is a lot of money... I was thinking of opting to get the DVDs for $50-60 online at some other retailer.. and I am SO THANKFUL I didn't. The Word Cards and flip books are extremely high quality! It makes up for the cheesy movie.

For records sake, I'll leave a little documentation of Vance's development as I remember..
Day 3: Moderate attention. Watched two times today. Repeated words 4:5 times. Played with cards and flip books.

I spent a lot of time cleaning and rearranging today... ohh, It makes me feel so good inside! I am off to finish and enjoy my quarters.

Clean of filth

I knew I had to do something... but sitting around ignoring my personal cares is just so easy! I live with two huskies, a slob of a man, a tumultuous toddler, and a booby-bandit of an infant to occupy me within the small quarters of several things in my little cottage.

It wasn't until two people dropped by unannounced that I realized what big of a problem I had. I sounded the alarms of intruders.

"Daddy! DADDY! Two people are coming! Who are they?! DO NOT LET THEM IN YET! I need a sweater! My pants have a hole in my butt cheek! No! I need a long sweater! Wait! Hand me a pencil so I can twirl my hair up!"

That is no way to welcome family, nor is it any way to live...

A 45 minute shower bought me...

-*-60% more of my lion's mane freed from the captivities of an evil dredlock that had taken over.

[the other 10% was yanked out and now resembles a small guinea pig]

-*-A new fresh scent that felt like an aura of confidence.
-*-A mini baptism of my filth... reminding me of all the new beginnings we're blessed with.

Thank you, shower... and Daddy.

I am in a thick fog; a deceiving fog, for just as you wince and catch a glimpse of life, the mask returns.

I've been hearing a lot of tolerance, patience, and expectations lately. Conflict and preference seem to manage their way into every relationship it seems. And by relationship, I'm not just saying lover to lover. I'm referring to any and everything that that we make exchanges with.

... more to think about.

When taking just one step seems too much, how does one react when presented with a leap?
Leaps aren't as thrilling as they once were.

... more to think about while I put away groceries.

Seeds of Opportunity

"It's 2010 and I don't have a hoverboard?"

Now, that right there is one of my favorite responses to the New Year...

Aside of ambitious goals, many to be faltered without much restraint, or pursuits one could make any time of the year, I have made a decision. A decision that is not to be mistaken with any standard resolution. I have decided to live this year!

I realized by the end of this past year that I really lost grasp with myself. I lost my faith, interests, and a large part of my identity [aside of mama]. And, of course... as the ever so trite expression goes, "when mama's happy, everyone's happy." We'll just ignore the depth of the problem for now and acknowledge a significant time of a determined transition.

My desire is solely TO live. To experience life at this season of my life. With my husband, two children, putrid dogs [jk :)], and this home with endless repairs on it's list... I have so much ahead of me. What I was lacking was the appropriate mental perspective. Thank you God, for providing me that insight and guidance.

Re-discovery is all around my home right now. I'm taking the time to investigate and appreciate life. I want to cherish and value it as I once had. Aside of the marvels of life my children present, I've taken a great liking to plants. The plants that have become part of the family are constant reminders. It's amazing what a little seed is capable of accomplishing... with a little water, hidden away for just a day, a seed sprouts - tripling in size. All of that LIFE in a simple seed... And that seed is capable of growing with some tender care.

Rather than tossing away all of the seeds in my life, I want to nurture them. I am ready to give them the care they need to blossom into whatever marvels God intends. I am prepared for all of my seeds of opportunity. I am ready to live this gift.