another wild post....

Didn't get to go to church services today. Lily was sick. She's better now. I hate it when my kids are sick. I wish I could take their place every time. Poor babies. :(

Got my running shoes yesterday. Nikes. Silver & kind of a mauve purple. I will have to take a picture. I know a lot of people don't like Nikes for running but I do. These fit the best out of all the options I looked at. Also, I wore Nikes for 7 years playing basketball and they never really hurt my feet. Maybe I won't like them so much after I put some miles on them but for now, they are great!! :) Also, a GREAT price!! Charlie & I both got shoes for what I would have paid regular price for mine!! I LOVE a great deal!

Still haven't found the perfect computer. Still looking. I am such a tightwad. I also have to buy a new printer so I am just cringing at the prices. Laugh if you want. I am serious. This is why my computer is ancient and about to kick the bucket on me. I just hate to buy anything expensive. See above on running shoes. Haha. :)

So, it's a lazy Sunday. I am going to head out in a little bit and get Valentine's for the kids Valentine's party next week and stuff to make them a box.(SO excited about this!!!) I also need to get their Valentine's presents from Mama & Daddy and Charlie's gift. Also, I have to get final things for Claire's birthday party (her birthday is the 15th.) So, I have A LOT to do today!!

Going to do some baking and cleaning. Already did 6 loads of laundry and 2 loads of dishes. Cleaned our bathroom and dusted from the wood stove soot. Argh..... well, hey, it's heat and it's free!!! (we cut our own firewood off of our property)

So, now I am off to go running while the kids nap... I don't know how much I will be blogging this week. Kinda busy!! Lots to do and plan!! Family: I am mailing birthday invitations so you should get them sometime early this week. Sorry it's so late! But, that's how we roll around here. :)

Have a great week, everyone and remember, to keep up the Husband Encouragement Challenge!!! Also, the 31 Days of Praying for your husband are great, as well!! Do these along with the Love Dare and you will be knocking Satan out right and left!! :)

(If you need information on any of the challenges or the love dare just email me at mama2clairelilydrew (at) gmail (dot) com. using the symbols, of course, not the words! I will be SO glad to help you in any way!!)

Love,
Julie

*LOVE, LOVE this on the bottom of my shoes:

"I run like a girl; try to keep up" ;)

doing your husband good-days1-4

A blog I read quite often, Girl Talk, has a series posted, "Doing your husband good". It has a lot of good suggestions on things we can do to improve our marriage and show our appreciation to our husbands. I plan on trying a few of these in the next week or so. =)

I just wanted to share this wonderful series with you! Now, I am off to finish the details on Claire & Lily's costumes. Lily is a "sleeping princess". long story. I promise to share it with you when I post pictures. I have to go now and take cookies out of the oven and finish the costumes up while everyone is napping. I am SO happy that all three of my children nap at the same time every day! Thank you, GOD! =)

See you tomorrow......

Power of a Praying Wife thoughts, continued....

Okay, here we go:

" I've known people who use the excuse of "just being honest" to devestate others with their words. The Bible says, " A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back" Prov. 29:11. In other words, it's foolish to share every feeling and thougt. Being honest doesn't mean you have to be completely frank in your every comment. That hurts people. While honesty is a requirement for a succesful marriage, telling your husband everything that is wrong with him is not only ill-advised, it probably doesn't reveal the complete truth. "

"The total truth is from God's perspective and He, undoubtedly, doesn't have the same problems with some of your husband's actions as you do. Our goal must not be to get our husbands to do what WE want, but rather to release them to God so He can get them to do what HE wants."

"Distinguish carefully between what is truly right and wrong. If it doesn't fall clearly into either of these categories, keep your personal opinions to yourself. Or pray about them and then, as the Lord leads, reveal them in a calm discussion. The Bible says, "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2. There are times when we are to just listen and not offer advice, to support and not offer constructive criticism."

"I'm not for a moment suggesting that you become a timid doormat who doesn't ever confront your husband with the truth-especially when it's for his greater good. By all means you must clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings. But once he has heard them, don't continue to press him until it becomes a point of contention and strife."

"IF you do have to say words that are hard to hear, ask God to help you discern when your husband would be most open to hearing them. Pray for the right words and for his heart to be totally receptive. "

"I wish I had learned earlier to pray before I spoke. My words too often set up a defensive reaction in my husband that produced harsh words we both regret. He perceived my suggestions as pressure to do or be something, even though I always had his best interests at heart. It had to come to him from God."

"It's not the words we speak that make a difference, it's the power of God accompanying them." Stormie O'Martian

Wow! So true, So true!

Hope this helped you today.

Love and Prayers,
Julie