Winning My Man's Heart: The Biscuits and Gravy Edition

Another recipe I'd never tried... one of his favorites.

Now, in my defense... we don't usually eat sausage.  That makes it a little hard to do this recipe.  But when he brought lard home from our favorite farm a few weeks ago, biscuits went on the menu and he went out and bought some sausage. :)

Yum!  And easy!

One more piece of his heart forever in my hand. :)  I'm so glad.

Labels: As it happens..., In the Kitchen, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 0 Comments

A{nother} Change in our Homeschool Plan

Being a "mouse trap" with felt cheese

In my review of this past school year, I mentioned several places that I would share more later.  Well, here is one time I'm actually going to follow through with one of those promises!

The five of us were all loaded in the car one day in February.  Well, six of us if you include Belle, who was sharing my seat belt... and my body for that matter.  We run our errands together.  The whole family.  And this was one such outing.

"You know," My Beloved started as we turned passed the house that always counts down Christmas, "it's probably almost time for you to get a curriculum for Tornado."

I went hot.  He continued.

Toilet Paper Roll Pilgrims and Indian Craft at Thanksgiving

"You're not going to be able to be consistent enough on your own."  

We'd had conversations about curriculum half a dozen times or more over the last couple years.  But this was the first time he'd said that last part.  The first time he'd had some solid evidence.  The first time I knew he was right.

I wanted to argue.  Like every other time he'd mentioned curriculum.  I don't like curriculum.  We don't need curriculum,  I wanted to say.  I was tempted to dive into my heated explanation about how "homeschooling doesn't have to be just like a classroom."  To explain that I could come up with my own plans.  But I didn't.

I've been realizing that communication is always something that needs to be worked on...even in a happy marriage.  Out of no where it occurred to me that I should make sure I knew what he meant by "curriculum" before I got offended and upset at the notion.  When he said curriculum, I imagined he meant some all inclusive every subject and everything spelled out for me kind of curriculum.  He didn't.  I'm so glad I asked.

Planting flower seedlings

My initial burning was forced out as I started cautiously, measuring my words for calm.  "What do you mean by curriculum?"  There.  That was a normal conversational question.  Not an attack.  Not defensive.  Not as defensive as I was feeling anyway.

And I'm so glad I did.

Turns out, he didn't mean an all inclusive, take away my flexibility and creativity in educating the children kind of curriculum.  He didn't mean structuring our home school day like a classroom.  He meant math.  And handwriting.

That's all.

Math and handwriting.

"Oh," I said, shocked.  Is it possible that this is what he's always meant when mentioning curriculum in the past?  I have no idea.  I try not to think about it too much.  "I can do that."

So there you have it.  My Beloved, the leader of our marriage, head of our home, and official "buck stops here" guy of all things children, thought it was about time to start Tornado on an official math and handwriting program.  Now that wasn't so hard after all.  I didn't completely disagree.  More than that?  It was such a relief to have "permission" to "cop out" of designing the whole program from scratch.  And I can still do what I've been planning for the other stuff.


Next Week:  What came of this decision.



An aside:  There are a lot of great curriculums.  I don't mean this post to be an attack on curriculum, or on those of you who use it.  I know it is a great tool.  I simply mean that I've never wanted to use it and have always pictured myself coming up with my own stuff.  I hope I haven't offended anyone.  If you love pre-made curriculum... go for it!

Labels: As it happens..., Homeschooling 2011-2012, Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming, Raising Children

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 2 Comments

The Way to a Man's Heart

Over the years my sweet husband has commented about how he'd love it if I made a number of things.  We've been married more than 7 years now and I've yet to touch most of them.  But I'm determined to change that.  I'm done sticking with what I know.  I'm going to branch out.  Add some spice (er... sweetness?) to his life.

So this past week I took a stab at a Banana Cream Pie... without all the "instant" ingredients many recipes call for.  Completely from scratch.  And not just whipped cream on top either... real meringue. 

He loved it!  And it was easy!  I'd never tried a cream pie... or the meringue.  Now I've tried both.

And it was sooooo good!

There's half a Lemon Meringue Pie in the fridge now.  Another I'd never tried before.  So much easier than I ever thought.  The meringue didn't turn out as well this time, but it's still really good.  And now I know to be more careful.

I wonder what I'll try next.

My Beloved keeps telling me that it's true... the way to a man's heart really IS through his stomach!


Here's to many more years of winning my man's heart! 



Linking to:

Labels: In the Kitchen, Prince Charming, With These Hands

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 7:00 AM 0 Comments

Loved... and why I'm content to wait this baby out

I am so loved.  And so in love!

I've debated posting on this topic in the last few days because each time I start, my heart is so full... my feelings so personal... I just don't want to share it. 

Even now, having decided to just do it, I keep changing what I'm willing to type.  Keeping what is so precious to myself. 

Suffice it to say, such special days and nights with My Beloved leave me not quite ready for this little one (due tomorrow) to come yet.  I'm not ready to give up the evenings of game playing, long talks, just sitting together. 

And when he comes home from a late night grocery run with these... I know he feels the same way.

That just makes my heart smile.

Labels: As it happens..., Getting Ready for Baby, Prince Charming, Reflections

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 1:50 PM 0 Comments

Good... not harm!

These verses just don't get enough attention!

They don't. Think about it... when you think about the Proverbs 31 woman, you think about sewing, planting, selling, working hard, buying and preparing food... and doing it all by candle light either early in the morning or late into the night. We know that these things are bringing our husbands good (at least they would if we were doing them all), but do we really think about this specifically?

My hearts desire all these long years has been to be that Proverbs 31 woman for my husband... for my Lord. And really, isn't that why we are here now... talking about these things? But now I'm wondering. Do I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman for God? For my sweet husband? Or for me?

Yep... here it is again. AGAIN.

Pride.

And this is news to me ladies! I sat down to type something completely different tonight. Or, maybe I didn't know what to type, but I had to start anyway. I didn't even realize that my desire to be a P31 was anything but purely motivated. And I'm shocked and astonished.

Or not.

Oh, I'm surprised by this new realization. I'm just not so surprised to see one more area of my life where pride has control.

Perhaps this is why it's easier to make lists and schedules and routines than it is to actually do them. Perhaps that's why it's easier to read books and posts and testimonial on this topic of being a homemaker/helpmeet/etc. than it is to actually work at it. Perhaps it's the reason I can spend all afternoon decorating a print out of verse 31:27 instead of actually applying it.

So what if my motives were changed?

Labels: Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming, Suzy meets P31

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:11 PM 0 Comments

Thankful for...

... a few more and counting...


172. Daddy coming home at the end of the day

173. you tube time in the chair with Daddy

174. this view from the kitchen

175. help while I finish up dinner

176. my servant husband willing to put aside tiredness or quiet time after work to grab up the kids so I can concentrate

177. those same arms that hug me tight

178. being on this crazy journey together

Labels: Gratitude, Prince Charming, Raising Children

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:58 PM 0 Comments

Pet Food

Tuesday night was the state testing for My Beloved's EMT certification. He's been taking classes for this since August. And he's been at the top of his class the whole time. And blessed with a partner who was right up there with him. What a blessing! Saturday he passed his practical state exam with flying colors. Tuesday night was the final deal. The last time he would be away from us... for this class anyway. We won't know the results for a couple more weeks... but it's done just the same.

Anyway... Tuesday night I heard car doors close and turned in my chair when I heard lock and keys working together at the door. In he came... on the phone, with flowers in hand.

That's my sweetheart! He stops for bananas (again, a sweetheart!) and can't help but bring home flowers!

Well... I thought they were for me anyway. And he let me believe it too. Last night at dinner I found out the real story:

We have a pet in the house this week (there were two until Sweet Pea got a little too close to one of them with her foot). "Night time butterflies," as they are known around here. We call them moths too, but they are less scary when they are "night time butterflies". It's just too cold and snowy to turn them out, so for now, they stay. Plus, it's great entertainment when they flutter around the kids... they freak out. (Mother of the year anyone?)

This particular pet was getting threats from me during dinner last night for fluttering around my head and face while I was trying to eat. I threatened to toss it in the snow if it didn't find somewhere to settle for a while. (Tornado informed me that it was to cold and it would die... I told him I knew and that he'd better think about that. Again, mother of the year!)

That's when he settled in to join us for dinner. He ate at this flower for the remainder of the meal. And really seemed to enjoy it.

It was then that I figured him out. My Beloved was really bringing food home for our pet moth Tuesday night. Not flowers for his wife.

Or not.

Labels: as it happens, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 12:07 PM 0 Comments

6 years... and half a day off

Sunday, My Beloved and I celebrated 6 years of marriage! It's hard to believe it's been six years... and yet it feels like we've been married always!

With no big plans for the day, we took the kids to church like always, then got a sitter for the afternoon and took the rest of the day "off".

It was great!

We don't do that very often... just get a sitter. If we get a sitter, usually it's for business reasons and we're back as soon as we can.

Sunday, we just went out. The PA Farmshow is this week and we've never been (well, I hadn't anyway). It was so fun to just walk around and be together. We bought spices, tasted all the yummy food, and looked at all sorts of fun farm animals. Some of our best talks are walking around like that. When nothing else is happening.

We had options for our day... we could bring the baby with us, or we could stop by home to feed him and go back out. We went with that one. We called one of our favorite sitters and headed out. Came home, fed the baby, dealt with a few discipline issues and headed back out. Not because we had anywhere to go, but to just be together. (Again, not something we ever do away from home.)

We went to Target. And to a pizza shop where we ordered and waited and talked... then took it home. When we returned, the kids were jammied and in bed. Little Man was beside himself without Mommy, inconsolable in the sitter's arms (never have tried being gone like that before... now we know what happens).

It was a wonderful day together. I fed Little Man and got him settled back in bed.

Then we ate pizza.

And watched a movie.

Nothing special about the day... but the day was so special!

Labels: Gratitude, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:24 AM 2 Comments

Father's Day... how my babies' daddy wanted to spend it

Father's Day started for us the same way every Sunday does... we get up and get going to church. We were almost 30 minutes late for Sunday school (just like last week), but I figure we got more out of it than we would have if we'd skipped because we were running so late.

During our morning preparations, My Beloved mentioned that he might want to go get fireworks after church. A friend of his from work sets up a stand about 40 minutes south of us. He delivers, so re really didn't have to drive all the way down there, but My Beloved wanted to go down... if it worked out.

So after church we took our time visiting and chatting and fellowshipping... taking the slow way out of church. It was a lot of fun. Then just before 1, we headed out of the parking lot. Turns out this firework stand was right in front of a yummy pizza shop, so we were going to do lunch too!

We got down there around 1:30 and headed over to say hi before heading in to eat. Sadly, his family wasn't there yet but we hoped that if we took our time eating lunch, we may still get to meet them.

Lunch was good! I polished off this last piece after taking the picture! :)

After we got cleaned up, My Beloved did his big shopping. He browsed, he picked, he read off his list and gathered. I'm pretty sure he was having a good time! I sat in the swivel chair under the tent (where not all customers get to hang out... apparently I look like I'm supposed to have a baby in 6 weeks or so) and watched my kids run around. Our shopping time took a lot longer than a normal person's would have because 80 percent of our being down there was social.

Just before My Beloved was finished wrapping up his order, we were thrilled for his friend's family to arrive! It's always fun to meet the family of a friend... but it gets even better than that. Apparently, a while back, My Beloved told his friend about this little blog of mine... and he told his wife... and they follow! All of this is crazy to me... but I officially met a reader! What a treat!

And it gets better! We talked and chatted all afternoon (until just after 5!) What like-minded people they seem to be so far! We are looking forward to getting to know them better. We still have hours and hours and hours to go before I'd say we know them well, but on the way home My Beloved said to me... "Well, you said we didn't know anyone (locally anyway) who thinks the way we do... we may have just found them."

We're looking forward to finding out! Thanks J and L for a fun afternoon!


And thanks for all the fireworks!

Labels: As it happens..., Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 2:29 PM 0 Comments

Adding #3: Project Sleeping Arrangements

With just about 8 weeks to go before adding a third child to this bedroom (in theory anyway, if not in practice), we're working to make space.

I don't have a picture of our current set up (wouldn't that have called for forethought?!?) but right now Tornado is sleeping in this red toddler bed (which used to live on this wall and not in the middle of the unfinished bed frame) and Sweet Pea is still in the crib (because she doesn't climb out at every moment like Tornado did at a lot younger than she is now).

We were posed with a bit of a challenge when we learned baby number 3 was on the way... and no plans to move immediately into a larger home. That means 3 littles in one little room. Ok... so the room isn't tiny. It works. But the layout does pose us with a bit of a problem, so we're working with it. I'll try to give more details in a future post, but for now it's enough to say that Daddy is building a bunk bed! That's right... in his spare time. He got this much done Sunday afternoon/evening. It takes up a big chunk of the room, especially as it relates to the door, so we will be reorganizing and reevaluating the "stuff" that is in there currently.

The kids think it's great and Tornado is very excited that he gets to sleep on top and that Sweet Pea will sleep under him, and especially that he will get to use a ladder to get in and out of bed. I don't know if he really understands it all to the fullest, but I guess we'll find out.

Labels: As it happens..., Getting Ready for Baby, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 2:12 PM 3 Comments

Romantic Vacation for Two

In less than 3 weeks, My Beloved and I will be departing on our first (ever) solo vacation without our children. It's officially our 5th anniversary trip... even though our anniversary was back in January.

Now, I have mixed feelings about this whole leaving the kids behind thing, but I'm doing it anyway. Here are a few of the reasons:

1. We earned enough points on our Royal Caribbean credit card for a 7 night cruise. Hard to pass up!
2. My Beloved benefits from time alone together (as do I if we're going to be honest) and extended "no kid" time is a dream of his. With this "surprise" third baby on its way, this is the last opportunity for a while to come.
   
3. My in-laws are able to come from Michigan to stay with the children for the week! What a blessing!

This won't be the first time away from our kids. We were away shooting a wedding in NY this past summer and left the kids overnight... and again in November we were in VA shooting a wedding and were gone two nights. They do very well with others... and grandma and grandpa will be even better. I'm certain they will have a lot of fun and, if history repeats itself, won't miss us too much.

I do worry a little bit about Sweet Pea. She was very ready for Mommy to be home after our time away in November... and at her age she's changing so much each day. I just don't know what to expect. I am hoping that being at home, in her own element, following a somewhat normal schedule will be a big help. Sleeping in her own bed. Eating normal food in her own chair. Playing with her own things. Pottying on her own potty. You get the idea.

We're making some plans to be "present" for them as possible while away though. Here are a few things we have planned...

• I'm hoping to record the song I sing them each night so that they can still hear it at bedtime.
  
• We're paying for the 1 hour internet package on the ship so that we can be in email contact with My Beloved's parents and to send home pictures and little video clips of us and our trip.
  
• We're also planning to use skype with that 1 hour of internet so that we can "video conference" with the children a couple times.

I'll also be leaving detailed schedules and "activities to do" lists with grandma and grandpa... not so that they will follow them to the letter, but so that they are never left wondering what to do next. I'll try to share that with you when it's done... it can take a while to put together. I'm hoping I still have a draft of the one I made last summer!! And if it could be warm and sunny while we're gone, that would help too! Rain makes it hard to visit the park or go for walks each day as exciting time fillers!

There are still so many details to work out and prepare for before our departure... and so little time! Things like pre-making and freezing enough bread for them for the week, finding and purchasing summer maternity clothes for the cruise (thankfully I'll be able to use those all summer too!), finding a modest swimsuit for snorkeling and swimming and such, making that schedule for the kids, meal plan and make ahead recipes for our time away, packing, planning the trip, and so on and so on!

I'm actually thankful for so much to keep my mind busy before we go... it's when I slow a bit and think about it that I get sad about leaving my babies. I warned My Beloved last night that come departure time, I'll probably need a little extra TLC over missing my babies!! I can barely go out for dinner without wishing they were with us at least once!

Labels: Prince Charming, Raising Children

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 8:06 AM 0 Comments

Just the 2 of us...

...and about 20 others. Saturday was the "World Wide Photo Walk" through Scott Kelby's blog. I really didn't much care one way or the other (I'm more distracted by the fact that I would be away from the kids a bunch that day), but My Beloved likes that sort of thing, so we signed up. But we didn't just sign up for one, but both of the walks in our area. And I'm so glad we did!

Many of you know our stance on being the ones to raise our children, but I find that my husband needs just me from time to time, and you know what... turns out I need him too. It was such a fun day!! We try to use babysitters only when business dictates it, but that means that we haven't spent any relaxed time away from home away from our children in a very long time! Sure, we get to spent evenings together after the kids are in bed, but many nights that is down in the greenhouse or folding laundry or policing a bedtime that isn't going smoothly. We do often get to sit and watch a movie together, but that isn't quite the same thing.

Saturday we got a sitter (though I wasn't feeling great about it) and I spent the day devoted to my husband alone! We had so much fun! We took pictures. We walked around town. We met new people. We held hands. We didn't correct or discipline anyone. We didn't worry when we turned and couldn't see a kid or when a car was coming. It was a very relaxing day.

As we walked around Walmart that night with kids in tow, we reflected on what a wonderful day we'd had. What a joy it was to be together and how that joy continued even now... walking around Walmart... with the kids.

It is important to be the ones to be with our children, but it's also important to be the one with my husband!

Labels: Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 11:34 AM 2 Comments

Submission

I've been learning what submission should look like in my life and find myself sorely lacking. Having grown up without much example of what this should look like, I married knowing that I should and wanted to be a submissive wife... and I set out to be so. I imagine I did better at it in the first year we were married, but still, I don't think I was doing all I should have to be submissive.

Submission to my husband is more than just giving in because I know I have to... or should. It's deeper than that. Submission to my husband is something I should do in everything thing... big or little. And more than that, it should come without clarification or appeal.

Often, My Beloved will say something or ask something and I am unsure whether he is serious or not (he is a bit of a joker at times). Example: cookies after church. I mention that I want to go over and get one and he says "I don't think you need to do that." Is he just giving me a hard time? OR is he serious? We've been married almost 4 1/2 years, but still I struggle with knowing that. So instead of submitting and dropping the subject, I clarify... "are you serious? do you really not want me to?" To which he says, "I suppose you can." And I say, "Are you sure? I don't have to if you really don't want me too." And on and on it goes until I either go get myself a cookie or feel let down not to get one.

Oh how I've missed the point! Regardless of whether or not he should be more clear (something we have discussed and he's working on it too), I've missed an opportunity to bring him honor.

Don't miss that... I've missed a chance to honor my husband. Sure... it may not matter. Sure, he may have been kidding. But as he said last night (while we were talking about this very subject), how much more am I honoring him if I joyfully submit whether he really meant it or not.

Today I will be looking for ways to joyfully submit to him completely... in big and little things. I welcome any suggestions, reminders and encouragement from those of you who have been down this road ahead of me!

Labels: Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming, Reflections

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 7:41 AM 2 Comments

Ambitious

This is my to do list for today. I made it up during breakfast. If you can read it, it says "birthday wish list" at the top. To clarify, it's My Beloved's birthday, but my wish list. These are the things I want to have done by the time my husband gets home from work this afternoon... to bless him. There is always some reason I don't get to house cleaning and such and our home has been sorely neglected of late (you know... the last few years). So as part of his birthday surprise, I want to make it sparkle as much as possible today.

You'll notice not much is crossed off my list in the picture. Here's my list in case you can't read it. I'll try to update it throughout the day. (it's in no apparent order as I just emptied my head onto the card and then went back to fill in skipped lines when I ran out of room.)

• iron pants (My Beloved's... he will be very excited)
• Laundry ~in the dryer now
  
• Empty diaper pail (MB usually does this)
• Empty trash (again, MB does this)
• Vacuum living room and kitchen
• Sweep/vacuum bathroom
• mop bathroom
• mop kitchen
• dishes
  
• de-clutter shelves in LR ~started
  
• upload kid (business thing) ~started
  
• clean toilet and sink
• clear corner (in the kitchen)
• make dinner ~rice is soaking
  
• scrub kitchen
• wipe toaster oven
• dust main rooms ~1/2 done
  
• order cards (business thing)
• email update (picture update for family)
• clear kitchen table
  

As you can see, this is a long list... and rather ambitious. We'll see what gets done. I'm not working on anything now because Sweet Pea is up and I'm expecting a client to pick something up shortly. Then I'll get back to the list.

Labels: As it happens..., Keeping My Home, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 1:30 PM 0 Comments

Science with Daddy

Today is My Beloved's day off... I love that he is working 4 day weeks! It is so fun.

This morning, our list of errands was cut short by the reminder that it's President's Day and nothing we needed to do would be open... so home we stayed. After Sweet Pea went down for her nap, Daddy brought out the gyroscope we got recently.

For 30 or more minutes Daddy and son sat on the kitchen floor and played with the gyroscope. Tornado held it, felt it on his finger, picked it up from the floor, and tried to set it on the little balancing point... all while it was spinning. Meanwhile, Daddy was talking to him using words like "centrifical force", "gravity", and "kinetic"... words Tornado (age 2) won't understand for some time, but it's never too early to introduce these concepts to our little ones.



I'll tell you, it blessed my heart to hear them playing and having fun for so long. The first time Tornado had success setting it down, Daddy said "give me five". A while later I heard it come from Tornado himself... and every time after. I just kept hearing, "Gimmie five" from Tornado's mouth... and I'd know he'd been successful again.

Not only science introduction, but great fine motor practice!

Labels: As it happens..., Homeschooling my 2 Year Old, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:53 AM 2 Comments

Getting On Track

I'm pleased to say that I did (for the most part) get up with my husband each morning. For us, we find that it works best to hit snooze one time. When My Beloved's alarm goes off in the morning, he rolls over to hit snooze and I roll over to turn on my bedside lamp. We then roll back and get to cuddle for another 10 minutes. When it goes off again we are more ready to get up.

These past few days have been brutal as I haven't been sleeping well, or much. That makes it even harder to get up in the morning. I was encouraged last week, after my initial post on this matter, to get an email from my father in law. He was sharing with me what a blessing it was (and still is) when his wife (aka my mother in law) gets up with him in the mornings. I've got to tell you... a couple times this week that email is the only reason I got up.

This week Crystal is encouraging us to go to bed early enough to get up early. We've been doing ok at this, but we will continue to work at it. I can't tell you how much easier it is to get up when we are in bed around 10, instead of 11 or later!

Labels: Home Making, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 8:50 AM 1 Comments

Internet Down...and a little time reflection

When the internet is down in our house, that means no phones too... so we take note. We had ice the last couple days, and though it's gone today, the internet wasn't back. We had assumed a line was down somewhere, but My Beloved called today and discovered that there shouldn't be anything wrong. With instructions to "press the standby button on top of the modem", we are back online. The word is that "someone" must have pressed it. I'd say that I have no idea how that would happen... but I know you would all laugh at me... I have kids! Enough said.

Is it odd that I got a real weird feeling just now while typing "I have kids"? "I am a mom"... sure... I'm used to that. "I have babies"... I can even get a handle on that one. But for some reason, just now, "I have kids" felt weird. Makes me feel... I don't even know. I am thankful that "I have kids" though... otherwise, I would feel a lot worse about the snot encrusted pants I'm wearing, or the rainbow (covered in spit up) shirts I'm ever wearing and washing. Yeah... that would be hard to explain.

Then there is something else that's weird... time. It seems odd to me that time can feel so fast at times, yet so slow at others... or sooo long in some respects, yet so short in others. Time is the same... whether our kids are sick and whinny all day (ehem) or we are having the time of our lives at the beach, a day still only lasts as long as it lasts. So when I say that I've been married 4 years, I have to take a moment to figure it out. Is four years long, or short? It sure was long when I was in college... and it must be, because I feel like I've been married to My Beloved for-wonderful-ever! Yet, then I think... Wow, it's only been 4 years?... like 4 years is no time at all. Throw into all this mess the fact that my 2 year old is already and only 2, and 4 sounds a lot more crazy.

All this to say, today My Beloved and I celebrate 4 wonderful years! To celebrate we are hoping to get the kids in bed a little early, eat the yummiest frozen pizza I've ever had (more on this another time) and just spend some time together (either a movie or games). I'm thrilled... I got to pick whatever I wanted to do!

Labels: As it happens..., Prince Charming, Reflections

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 3:24 PM 3 Comments

A moment of prayer

My Beloved and I were talking on the couch last night when I shared with him some fears and struggles I've been having. I didn't plan to say anything, but it flowed from the conversation we were having. I led out with the words "I don't know why that bothers me so much" and he could see my tears.

He didn't try to fix anything. He listened. He talked with me. Then he asked me... "do you want to pray about it?"

Why is that little question so powerful? When it comes from your husband, your head, your leader... those words, that question carries with it the strength of Christ, leading him in order that he can lead me.

Tears flowed more freely as I cozied up closer to him to pray. And as he prayed, God brought comfort. I felt the comfort and love of both... My Beloved... and mostly, my Lord!

Labels: As it happens..., Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming, Reflections

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 12:23 PM 1 Comments

The Father of my Children

I wanted to do a big, long tribute post about My Beloved for Father's Day. I was going to talk about all the things I appreciate about him, what a great father he is, etc. Now that it comes down to it, I am faced with a decision... sit and write that post, or straighten the house to bless him when he arrives, and take a nap so we can enjoy our time together when he gets here this evening.

Seems like a "no brainer"! I'm off... but Happy Father's Day to the best daddy my little ones could have!

Labels: Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 1:45 PM 0 Comments

Love that never blames!

I don't unabashedly (is that a word???) praise my husband on this blog anywhere near enough! I'm sure some of you have wonderful husbands, but there is not another man on this earth that I would want in place of mine!

I'll tell you straight out... if love is in the actions, he loves me way more than I love him! I hate that it's like that, but it's true. He never complains about the house, I complain for him. He never gives me a hard time (not a real one anyway) when dinner is unorganized or I've made some mess out of something, I do it for him. I'm constantly putting words into his mouth that he hasn't even formed thoughts for yet! And he wasn't going to!

We were searching the house today for a missing cell phone charger My Beloved needed for his trip (that he was supposed to leave for 5 minutes previously). We looked everywhere... twice. I found myself wading through the mess of junk on the book shelves, then the mess of junk on the kitchen table! The worst part is that I know he likes these surfaces cleaned off, but they have really gotten out of control... again! As I was moving everything, one thing at a time, to another "clear" space on the table in search, I was fighting tears knowing that this was all my fault and sure that I'd let MB down again... I was a terrible wife... everything bad happens because I can't keep our house... etc, etc! Ridiculous I know... but this is the path I took.

In the middle of my little woe is me and my homemaking abilities... I'm the bottom of the pit... etc, etc; My Beloved yells out from the bedroom how sorry he is for loosing the charger and not putting it in a better place! Now, if he had told me that he wasn't blaming me at that moment, I probably would have given a silent "yeah sure", but he was apologizing to me! I was overwhelmed by his love... a love that is blind to my shortcomings time and time again! When will I get that? When will I love him enough to only ever assume the best of him???

I'll tell you ladies... it's something to be loved like that!

Labels: As it happens..., Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 9:00 PM 2 Comments