What a week

So I have to apologize for not writing over the last week. I was going to do a double entry Sunday, but then the week spun out of control. It has just been a really long week, and I just never thought to write.

But...I could really see how doing this blog so many days before this week came effected how I handled the week. I handled it without getting over stressed, outright angry, etc. I handled it by being able to talk to my husband about things I needed to, deal with the things that were happening at work without letting it effect the rest of my day, and truly enjoy the good moments I had. It doesn't mean I loved the week, it does mean that I reacted to the week better than I might have before.

I enjoyed the time Bailey and I had with Kelly on Saturday last week, I loved playing an April Fools joke on our daycare provider, and her getting us back, I loved B's laugh, playing outside with the dog and so much more. Amidst lots of bad and stressful stuff last week there was joy to be had, and I never lost sight of that.

I am glad I decided to do this over Lent, and I will probably continue it beyond Lent. I may not update every day, but I will try to update at least once a week. It's a good thing to keep focused on, and it clearly helps overall perspective.

Today my joy is in sacrifice. Today is the day that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for ME! He made it for you too!! Today he was selfless, and his Father was selfless. Jesus asked for this cross to be taken from him, and his Father knew he couldn't do that or we wouldn't have what we have now...Jesus knew he couldn't run away from it because he was here to save us. Sacrifice was made today in ways that humble me. Jesus gave his life so that I can live eternally. It puts me in awe that someone who didn't know me yet could do it for me. He did it for so many that don't know him yet, and he wants to know them. It was selfless, and it was sacrifice. Because of that sacrifice I have joy.

Stream Netflix

I signed us up for Netflix about a month ago because they were going to start streaming movies through the Wii in the "spring". We have a Wii, and I figured having this option would be a great way to watch more movies and not have to go out to rent them. We also get one movie at a time mailed to us for a total of $9 a month.

So today our disk arrived that allows us to stream movies. It's awesome! Right now we are streaming Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland and B is loving it.

So my joy is in the streaming disk. I love to watch movies, and it is a nice way for Jason and I to always have something at our fingertips for quiet time together away from our computers :)

Bathtime!!

B got a bath tonight. Now that I have figured out how to put her in the bath without the world ending...it's pretty fun.

She went through a phase where she hated the bath. It came out of nowhere, she just hated it. So one day I let her stand there as I drew the bath. I splashed in it a little then put her in. Suddenly...she was having fun in the tub.

So tonight was a bath night. It's awesome because she laughs, splashes enough so we are both wet, and just in general has a blast. I had so much fun watching her play and splashing her. That bath time was most certainly the joy in my day today :)

I know...I'm late!

Yep...I know, I'm late on the entry for yesterday. But...that is why I am joyful.

I decided last night that I wouldn't be on my computer for long. Once dinner was on plates my computer was shut off for the night. I just enjoyed relaxing. Dinner was very tasty and easy, I finished it off with the last piece of chocolate cake, and I enjoyed watching Survivor with my hubby.

The joy in yesterday was closing the laptop and just fully relaxing. So yes, the post is late, but it's late because of my joy...so I'll give myself a pass on that one ;)

Fearless!!!!

So my joy today is in learning of something to come. I have been thinking about it non stop since last night.

Jason and I take Bailey with us, and we spend a week each summer volunteering for a Christian retreat camp for High School age kids. CAMPS (Christ As My Personal Savior). I went as a high school student, and have staffed many times...it's wonderful and we are so glad to do it as a family.

Each year has a different theme, and I learned the theme for this year last night....Fearless! I can't tell you how excited I am by this theme. I am literally jumping out of my skin excited for it.

In the last year or so I've become more fearless in my faith, and I have fully experienced what awesome things that has done for me. I am beyond excited to witness others learn the same lesson and be able to stand tall and strong in their faith and relationship with Christ.

I must admit, the excitement of this theme has brought me to tears at moments. I'm this inspired by it and we haven't even had our first staff meeting yet!

The hymn "Be Not Afraid" has always been one to make me cry. Not because it is a funeral song...but because it is so empowering. It is our Father's message to us that we don't need to be afraid...he is with us!!! It is an exciting song, not a sad one.

I was also excited for the theme as it relates to my favorite verse in the bible. Romans 8:31, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" How amazing is that?!! To me it gives me the power to say BRING IT ON every day.

Fearless is an amazing way to live. It's joyful, loving, and exciting!!! So be fearless in God's love for you. He will guide you and love you in ways you could never imagine.

I like to reflect on the lyrics of a Tom Petty classic...to me it relates to being fearless in faith.

Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down

No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground... and I won't back down

Chorus:(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I'll stand my ground...and I won't back down

cuddles, snuggles, and giggles

B didn't sleep well last night, so she was tired earlier tonight but really not wanting to go to bed.

She was very cuddly because she wanted to fight going to sleep. She would get down off the recliner, run around, then come back for a hug and a snuggle. A few times I would tickle her and she would just laugh and love it.

These times won't always happen as she grows older, so I love it when they do. The day just seems to fade away and I love those moments with her.

her laugh

It has been beautiful out for a few days now. We took that as our opportunity to go to the playground with B. She's been on the playground twice a day at school, and we have brought her Friday, Saturday and Sunday....you would think she would be over it. But she loves it!

She loves the slide, and general running around, but what she laughs the most at is the swing. She would laugh and laugh with a huge smile on her face. B just loved being pushed on the swing...don't we all.

Her laughter was the highlight of my day today. It was a nice Sunday (I love Sunday), but her laugh in the swing was just amazing. To see how much she loved it brought me so much joy, and I loved being there watching her enjoy it.