Simply Sara

Tonight I am too wired up from consuming a large amount of Milk Duds and diet (caffeine free) Coke to go to bed. So instead, I want to share an entry from my journal that I wrote back in June. Too often lately I have been so focused on the negative and I forget to dwell in the good. This journal entry is a nice reminder of just how blessed I truly am and where my blessings come from. *June 2010* As an early birthday present, I was given an outdoor covered swing. Tonight is my first night to enjoy my gift. It's funny how I came outside to be quiet - to be alone - something I rarely experience in my daily life. But as my mind and body settle into the comforts of the swing, my ears are totally aware that I am far from being alone. Squirrels are in the trees above me. Birds are calling all around. Horns are honking in the distance and the voice of our precious daughter is calling "Mommy!" from the screen door. No I am not alone. Our tiny son has even made his presence known a...

I'm trying so hard to muster up the energy to take the kiddos somewhere this morning, like the water park or the movies, but I can't seem to find the strength to do it. Aside from dinner at a friend's house last night, we haven't left our home since Sunday! The kids are bored, not that I blame them, and nothing I suggest sounds like fun to them. Oh wait, I just saw Lucas take some play dough into the kitchen! Hopefully this will hold their attention for at least 20 minutes! I'm so thankful the kids having formed such a strong friendship between the two of them. They do spend 95% of their time with each other, so it's great they enjoy playing together. Our play dates with friends have dwindled because I simply don't have the energy to go on a play date. (I am happy to send them off to a friend's house for the morning, but that doesn't happen very often!) I pray this slow, lazy summer at home has been more positive than negative for the kids. I want th...

Our lazy, summer morning has gotten off to a great start. Pancakes for breakfast and lots of snuggling on the couch while watching Curious George on PBS. I love George. My two little ones are cozied up beside me while my littlest one is wiggling around in my over-extended belly. It's hard to believe that He will be here soon! I find myself daydreaming all the time about holding him in my arms, nuzzling him, cheek to cheek. Last night I was telling my sister, Melanie, about how I long for those quiet moments in the hospital, long after family has left, when Matt and I unswaddle our new baby and marvel at the miracle before us. Such joy-filled, exhausting moments are coming soon! Please continue to pray for us as we wait in expectation and do our best to prepare to become a family of 5!

We're making the most of the hot, humid days of summer! Lots of indoor, creative play. Too much t.v., trips to the water park and cherished time with friends. Thanks to Meg and Skye for a wonderful baby shower!

Our life is full of inconsistencies. Some days are lazy and slow, others are jammed packed and non-stop. One day the kids are happy, loving and obedient, the next, well, I wonder if they are possessed by the devil. Today I feel good, tomorrow I can barely get out of bed. Yesterday was one of our worst days this summer, while the day before was one of our best. Does anyone else have crazy seasons like this ? Sometimes I miss the boring days of summer....

We're weeks away from baby boy's big arrival and I'm doing exactly what my Momma told I would be doing - marveling (and mourning) at how fast Lucas and Ava are growing up. Amazing how a little perspective shift can give you hyper awareness of your current circumstances. Even as I am wishing that delivery day would come tomorrow, I feel the Holy Spirit reminding me to savor this fleeting time. Our last few weeks as a family of four. The last time I will ever feel a baby move inside of me. The last time I'll be this huge (hooray!). And the last time it will be just Lucas and Ava. I have prayed for a long time that Lucas and Ava would become best friends, and I'm watching this beautiful friendship form right before my eyes. Ever since we pulled Lucas out of preschool, our two little ones have been each other's constant playmate. And now they are sharing a room! It's a love/hate relationship. They wrestle, chase each other, perform dance concerts, jump on the be...

I don't know if it's the culmination of a busy couple weeks or the delayed effects of traveling last weekend to visit family, but today, my body is loudly waving the white flag of defeat. My toes are numb, my fingers are swelling and my back is killing me; and I'm really discouraged about this. I still have a little over a month left in this pregnancy and I'm struggling to see how I'm going to survive. I feel so limited in what I can accomplish around the house and for the family. Matt is heroically handling a lot of the household tasks for me, including caring for the kids when he's home. I haven't had to give a bath in over 3 weeks! Matt spent the better part of today cleaning out the hall closet and guest bedroom. He also is painting the kids' room and doing so much more. I could sink down into a well of self-pity, but instead I'm asking for prayer. I could really use some. Pray for my strength and joy to return. Pray that our family won't go ...

**Yes, I wrote this post a couple months ago, but never got around to posting it!** I think one of the greatest gifts about being as stay at home mom (SAHM) are mornings that start off slowly, no rushing or frantic pace to get out the door to somewhere important. The kids are still in their pajamas enjoying some PBSKids while I sip a cup of coffee and collect my thoughts. This peaceful feeling is something I will miss when the kids are in school, I'm sure. This morning started off in a magical way. I woke up about 10 minutes before Lucas and got to spend a few minutes in the Word. Soon after I heard little feet running to my door and saw a beaming little boy eager to jump in my bed and tell me that "he slept good." We turned on the t.v. and enjoyed sitting side by side until Miss A began to call from the other room. She never appreciates being left out. Soon breakfast was on the table, spoons were passed out and my coffee from the day before reheated. Pinks ...