In Pursuit...

Just Keep Going

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:48:00 +0000

What do you do when something you have been believing for hasn't happened or seems to end in disappointment?

Just keep going. Life goes on. Baby steps.

We must remember: His Grace IS Sufficient. When things don't go they way you want or expect, don't forget God is the author of our story, and tests our motives. His Grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9. We need to believe that not only will we make it, but when we are in God's Will we will not only survive in it, but thrive.

Another thing that has been swirling around in my head is something Pastor Mark Batterson says all the time: "Don't put a period where God puts a comma, and don't put a comma where God puts a period."

Just keep going.

Being Intentional

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:30:00 +0000

There are so many thing we need to be intentional on, our relationship with God, being a good friend, keeping marriage lively, raising non-mediocre kids, and the list goes on...

One area that has been on my heart a lot recently is being intentional to have a Christ- Centered Family. We can not just say we have a Christian home because we go to church, and Ross and I happen to be pastors. I went to the Focus on the Family Parenting Conference a few months ago, where I realized we need to be more intentional in changing the culture in our homes for Christ, not just outside our homes, hoping that rubs off on the kids.

We as parents have to take responsibility to change in the home and spiritually develop our kids, not just hope that they get it from an average of under 30 hrs a year in Sunday school or going to youth group. Mom's and Dad's are 2-3x's more influential than church programs. (which on a ministry side note, makes me realize we need to be spending more time, energy and resources in equipping parents to be able to have faith in the home) Deut. 6:1-20 really addresses our role as parents.

To being changing the culture in your home we need to know, you can't pass something on to your kids, that you don't have yourself. 61% of Churched teens don't got to church after 20- the #1 reason: Hypocracy. Do you live what you say you believe behind closed doors?

We are trying to start a new tradition as a family, we call it: Sunday Night Lights (well, I call it that, Ross just laughs) :) We try, at least 1x a month to do a small group bible study as a family. Originally the goal was to do it every week, but that was near impossible to be consistent because of schedules and random things popping up, so we have resolved to 1x a month. Glad to say we're on month 3, and it seems to be going good & the boys get excited about it! This isn't the only way we are trying to do to place Christ at the center of our home, but one of many. Another thing we do every night is read a bible story with the kids. FYI: So far my 2 fav. kids bibles are This One and This One. :)

Here are some things we've done so far:
Ross and I rotate leading each time. The elements we try to have each time are Worship, Bible Story, Illustration, Scripture Memory, Prayer. We keep it simple.

The 1st Sunday Night Lights we Read and Reenacted the story about David and Goliath. It was hilarious how into it the boys got with their swords, pretend sling shots and knocking daddy-Goliath down! They learned: God always wins his battles!

2nd we read about Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We actually went outside and had 2 clay flower pots, put paper in them, got one wet and left one dry. We showed how God lit Elijah's sacrifice on fire, but the prophets couldn't get their god to do it. They LOVED the fire, lol. They learned: God is most powerful!

3rd we read Jonah, I put a big blanket on me, and when Jonah was thrown out of the boat during the reading, I "swam" up to the boys and swallowed them in the blanket, they had to say "sorry for running away" to get out. Needless to say, it was a hit. :) They learned: Never run away from God, and Obey God.

I, as a parent, need as much help as I can get, and want to share what I'm trying out. I would love to hear your ideas too!

Bedtime Battles

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:06:00 +0000

We are into a new phase in our house... we affectionately have deemed it "bedtime battles". The boys are GREAT sleepers, I am so thankful for that... but actually getting them to sleep is getting harder and harder, this is new for us.

I would love any advice... here is what happens:

We have a consistent routine, starting at 7 or 7:30 we bathe, brush teeth, get p.j.'s on, pick out a book and a bible story to read, pray and sing a few songs together. That generally goes smoothly. Then the lights go out, and the battles begin...

Aiden is having the hardest time. Eli is usually pretty calm and quiet, unless Aiden tells him to do something naughty. We have 2 simple rules- 1. stay in bed. 2. be quiet. I don't mind if they talk, laugh or sing (as long as it's quietly), but lately they (Aiden) are breaking the 2 simple rules over and over and over and over...

We are super consistent about the rules and disciplining when they aren't followed, but Aiden is king of stalling and both of them are oh so stubborn! Yelling for bathroom, water, kisses, hugs, blanket put just right, or certain stuffed animals. I am trying my hardest to be strong, but I would love any suggestions if you have gone though this battle! I feel like I am forced to get my "angry eyes" on every night, and it is making me sad. I don't want them going to sleep with me having to be so hard on them!

What to do.

Where God gives the Vision, He gives the ProVision

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:54:00 +0000

That is a saying our pastor at NCC, Mark Batterson, says all the time, and more and more I see how true it is.

Ross and I have been living on financial support from many partners (from individuals and a few churches) for the past 7 years. It's been amazing how God has provided every pay check, and above.

I just wanted to testify on one of the many levels to His Goodness on this Good Friday. In marriage, it is so important to keep a consistent date night, for many reasons. I am so incredibly thankful that where God has given us a vision to keep consistent date nights in our marriage, he has amazed us with his Provision.

We joke that we are the King/Queen of the hook up... and I don't say it to brag on us, but on God! These hook ups aren't shabby, from vacations to restaurants. I am extremely thankful. It almost seems silly or trivial to think the Almighty God would care about a simple date night, but He does!

Our budget is beyond "tight" right now... and there is no way we would be able to keep our date nights (which more and more I see how crucial they are!) without God providing in special ways. I am blown away week to week to see the way He is providing. It sounds funny, but I can't remember the last time Ross and I have had to pay out of pocket for a date! We have been blessed in creative ways and with gift cards, and babysitting since we have had kids! I'm not kidding, even thinking back it blows my mind.

All this to say... build your faith! If you have a vision for consistent date nights, pray and believe God and have faith to ask him to provide. He won't let you down!

A quick (but not exhaustive) thank you list:
Joel
Elizabeth
Grace
Mom & Dad
Jim & Martha
Anonymous NCCers
Stephanie
Shelby
and the list goes on...

Miami Fall 2010!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:21:00 +0000

Here is why we are moving to Miami... and how YOU can play a part!

Not dead but Asleep

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:19:00 +0000

I was reading Mark 5: 21-43 today and the reality of this passage lights me up.

So the man's daughter is going to die, and he wants Jesus to go touch her. Jesus starts going in that direction, but gets "side tracked" by mobs of people needing/wanting him, and he stops to spend time "healing another with His touch" (the lady with the issue of blood). So the man gets upset that it's too late now, and his daughter has died. Jesus ignores what they say, goes and raises her from the dead.

Here are some points to consider:

1- Jesus demonstrated a healing through touch (just what the man wanted Him to do for his daughter), but that still didn't sink in to him- to have faith, like the woman w/ blood.

2- God's timing and order are perfect, and have a purpose.

3- God is God and we are not. We may grumble and complain that our prayers aren't answered the way we think or as fast as we think they should be, but there is a reason.

4- It just takes one word, one touch, one thought from Jesus and it's done.

So... do you have a prayer or a dream that you have asked God to come touch?

Maybe God has to do a few other miracles first on the way to fulfilling your dream.
Maybe God is building Hope and Trust in you, even when the dream looks dead.
Maybe God is wanting to demonstrate His greater power in your situation, rather than answer your prayer the easy way like you expect.
Maybe God wants to see if your Hope is in Him, more than in the dream you seek.
Maybe God wants to build your faith first by doing something else that looks to you like He's gettting side tracked. We need to think bigger picture!

"Don't be afraid. Just Believe"- Mark 5:36

Thoughts by Martin Luther

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:59:00 +0000

I was reading some great quotes by Martin Luther, and thought I would share some powerful ones:

Pray, and let God worry.

If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.

Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.

There are so many other great quotes, I recommend you check out some of his writings!

So True.

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:38:00 +0000

Saw this quote in an article this week and it has stuck with me. I'm reading through the Bible in one year with NCC right now and it truly is coming to life for me!

When asked if he accepted the historical existence of Jesus, the famous scientist, Albert Einstein, once told George Sylvester Viereck in a 1929 interview: "Unquestionably. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. How different, for instance, is the impression which we receive from an account of legendary heroes of antiquity like Theseus. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus."

They Never Cease to Amaze Me

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:27:00 +0000

It's hard not to compare my boys to each other. It's amazing to me how the DNA passed and they are so different. Aiden's personality is a lot like mine, and Eli's like Ross. Yet they share some, go figure.

I try not to compare them too much, because they ARE so different. Aiden was running by 10 months old and could read the whole alphabet by 18 mo, Eli didn't even try to walk until 17 months and is 26 months old now and still hasn't done the whole alphabet. haha. Aiden is mr. social, and just the other day on our walk home from school, passing the Capitol and all the "important Hill staffers" and he waved to EVERY person and said "Good Afternoon!". (that was a fun social experiment!). Where Eli is a little timid when he firsts meets people and it takes a minute for him to warm up (then he's about just as social).

So the other day we were at church and I was trying to pass the time while waiting for Ross to finish talking. It's always a battle to keep the boys content, so I asked them to start counting the chairs. Eli just started right up! From the kid who has only counted to 3 ONE TIME before, he, just plain as day, counted perfectly and loudly 1 all the way through to 10!!! I didn't even know he had it in him!!!

Now I don't feel as guilty that I haven't had as much 1 on 1 time with him teaching him (being the 2nd child) stuff like that as I did with Aiden, he has somehow absorbed it without me even trying! Phew! :)

Never Thought I'd Admit....

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:53:00 +0000

...that I miss Florida Weather. There. I said it. :) I grew up in Florida pretty much my whole life. I always thought I'd want to live more up North where I could have all 4 seasons. After being gone for 5 months now, it's true, I miss it!

Don't get me wrong, it is really pretty seeing the leaves change, and to get to play in snow. That is really fun. But the cold is just relentless! I have been used to N. Florida for the past 10 years and it getting pretty cold, then the next day up in the 70's. :) I loved wearing jackets and everything, but now after having to wear jackets and gloves and hats every day since October, I'm over it. lol.

I cannot wait for Spring! I Never thought I'd admit it, but I'm a Florida Girl. I am getting the most out of my time here in DC while I can, and enjoying the almost 30" of snow we got today... but I am now honestly really excited to move back to Florida in the Fall!

The Way to My Little Man's Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:10:00 +0000

The cutest thing happened today. Eli was taking a sweet long nap this afternoon. I had to wake him up to get to Sat. night church. Aiden and I were both sweetly trying to wake him up and he was sleeping so hard. He started getting mad and kicking.

Then Aiden walked in with a bag of popcorn.

Without Eli even opening his eyes he softly says "popcorn?" and got a little grin (eyes still closed) and slowly started sitting up. My Little Man has a good sniffer! I can't believe that made him get up so happily and that he knew the smell so good!

Using some Johnny Maxwell in the Family :)

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:10:00 +0000

Something we are working on in our household lately is a simple little concept known as Self-Control. I am so convicted lately because I realize that "everything rises and falls on leadership" as John Maxwell says, and that doesn't just apply to the workplace, it completely relates to family life. How I go, is how the family tends to go.

If I want my kids to show self-control, I HAVE to show it first. This doesn't sound that a "light bulb" moment, but it is in my head. Every time I start to feel my blood pressure start to rise when the boys are getting wild, the first question that pops in my head now is "what am I doing?". It can spin out of control FAST if I don't take that second to pause and collect myself and assess.

Some tips I've heard that seem to help us with a 2 & 4 yr old are:
1. Get your kid to say the word. example: if they are being impatient and want something, make them stop and say the word "patient" and go over the definition. By the time they repeat it, it usually gets them to calm down enough that you can "talk". If it gets ugly from there, you know discipline must ensue. :) This works when trying to get them to learn any of the fruits of the Spirit.
2. The calmer you are, the quicker you see a change in their attitude. I am definitely working on. I get easily revved up, and I learned this lesson from watching the few episodes of the Duggar family with 18 kids, that mom is amazing how calm she stays in chaos.
3. Take a time out. As much as the kids may need it, I do too. :) If I don't take a few minutes to recollect myself, it's not pretty. This also goes for "time off". I don't like using that term, but it's the best way I can describe it. Taking a few hours, have someone stay with the kids (usually my hubby in my case) and decompress. My goal is to try to do that once a week.

So I in no way have it all figured out, and would love ANY tips you may have for teaching self-control and patience. This is a work in progress. :)

Kid Friendly Big Cities?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:07:00 +0000

We got to travel up to NYC the 1st week of January to visit my sister in law and her hubby. We had a great time, but I discovered 1 thing, NYC is not kid friendly. I love visiting the Big Apple. This was our first trip with the boys. We had a great time. The 2 famous huge toy stores were the big hit for sure. NYC does have some great things to offer for little kids, Central Park, Times Square Toys R Us, FAO Schwartz, and a few others.... but the NYC Subway system is NOT, I repeat NOT kid friendly. I think I have gotten spoiled in DC with their Metro system & free events/museums.

#1 We don't have a rat problem here,

#2 we have elevators at every Metro stop, and escalators too,

#3 you have to pay for just about everything.

The entire time we were in NYC we didn't see 1 elevator or escalator for the stroller. Luckily we just brought our small umbrella one and we had extra hands, because we would have been out of luck if we had the double stroller.

So note to self, if you feel the itch to go to a big city with little kids, I recommend Washington, DC... so many free great places to go with kids, and a friendly Metro for sure! If you live in NYC- God Bless you if you have children, I don't know HOW you do it. :) Don't worry I still {heart} NYC!

Monthly Ministry Newsletters

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:05:00 +0000

If you are interested in reading our monthly ministry newsletters or signing up to be on the email list for them, let me know. Here is a link to check it out!

Middleton Monthly Ministry Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:02:00 +0000

Peer Pressure Paying Off?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:38:00 +0000

There is good peer pressure, that pushes you to do the right thing, then there is bad peer pressure.... i'm sure we all know about that one.

Tonight we moved Eli into a big boy bed for the 1st time! I am optimistic that this will go well from the looks of it tonight. After thinking about it, I honestly think it's because of good peer pressure! Aiden and Eli share a room, and Eli has been asking and asking to sleep in a big bed for weeks now. He started climbing out of his crib, so we had to make the decision. We didn't have such luck when Aiden made this transition... that was a battle. But I really think that since Eli has Aiden there (to tell on him) and to show by example Eli should do better.

Maybe it's a theory, we'll have to see how it goes. :) I can't believe how fast they grow up!!

Birthday Week Wrap Up

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

My boys turned 2, 4 & 29 this week! :) Dec. 6-12 is an insane week for us every year, but oh so fun! The best part is we get to eat cake and ice cream pretty much every day & night for a whole week and we don't have to feel guilty!

My amazing hubby's birthday is today! I love you, Ross and am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to you and get to celebrate your 29 blessed years so far on this earth!

I was looking back through my blog and found this one when Aiden and Eli were 2 and 3 mo. old.... I figured I'd up date commemorating their birthdays! We'll see how many remain the same!

Top 10 fun facts about Aiden (2 yrs old, now 4!):

1. his personality reminds me of me.- STILL!

2. he truly loves people (I have yet to see him scared of anyone or not like them)- STILL!

3. he talks with a British accent sometimes (and I didn't coax him!) UPDATE: no more british accent, sad, but he is picking up some Spanish now!

4. he never stops (talking, moving, you name it) UPDATE: add Climbing to that.

5. he loves the Bible (especially page 368) UPDATE: he loves ALL books

6. he loves to sing (and hear ME sing!)- STILL!

7. his favorite hobbies lately are playing with cars, riding his bike, and coloring. UPDATE: Painting & writing letters has trumped coloring.

8. he loves being outside (and swimming in the summer) UPDATE: Playing in SNOW!

9. he eats his veggies without complaining (unlike his father!) UPDATE: He still prefers veggies over meat, but it's harder to get him to eat it these days, he's more into bread & dessert.

10. when he will be still enough to give me a hug, it's the best!- STILL!

10 fun things about Eli (3 months old/ now 2!):

1. he came early so I didn't have to gain as much weight this pregnancy. UPDATE: he has more than caught up from being a premie, in weight, development, etc!

2. he is a chunky monkey (15 lbs already, 97th percentile!) - STILL! (weighs pretty much the same as Aiden now!) Eli is my meat eater too... prefers meat over anything else.

3. he smiles every time Aiden gets in his face- STILL! (and copies everything he does too!)

4. he has an amazing ability to projectile poop UPDATE: Thankfully we are past that stage, but he sure does love talking about poopie and bum bums now!

5. he sleeps a lot (great on long car rides) UPDATE: not so great on long car rides anymore, but does still sleep great (with the exception of this afternoon and him crying instead of napping)

6. he has blue eyes- STILL- and kept that blonde hair!!!

7. he has started to laugh UPDATE: his laugh is so infectious!

8. he is totally different than Aiden (looks and personality)- STILL!

9. he looks just like his daddy-STILL!

10. he snuggles!- STILL!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my birthday boys this week! I love you all!

I Met a MilkMan!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:06:00 +0000

I don't know why this is so funny to me, but I actually met a milkman the other day! I honestly didn't know they still existed! I was babysitting for a friend in a beautiful old restored row house in DC and someone rang the door bell. When I opened the door I literally felt like I stepped back in time to 1950!

The Milkman looked exactly like this dude pictured to the left! The bottles were exactly the same, and his truck was old school! It was quite the experience! The friend I was babysitting for gets her milk, eggs and cream delivered by this dude like once a week! He just drops it off on her doorstep wether she's there or not.

So there you have it, if you ever need one, they're still out there!

Need Mommy Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Eli climbed out of his crib tonight. Aiden never even tried when he slept in it.... so I wanted to know- anyone have this happen? What did you do? Do I discipline him and teach him not to or does that mean it's time to move him to a big boy bed?

The boys share a room, so I'd rather keep him in the crib. They'd have to share the double bed if he left it. What would you do? He turns 2 on Sunday!!!!

Grocery Shopping in the year 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Grocery shopping has gone to a whole new level.... everyone say it with me like Conan O'brien "in the year 2000...9". :)

I thought my boys went crazy over the race car carts at Publix, but after my shopping trip this morning I have to ask.... have we gone too far?

TV SHOPPING CARTS PEOPLE!

That's right. FREE. CAR CARTS. KIDS TV SHOWS. need I say more?

I almost feel like a bad mother putting my boys in there. It's a car cart, with an added bonus, a little LCD flat screen tv inside! You can choose from Dora, Handy Many, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent OSO, and more! There is even a screen for me that I can flip through recipes, see the latest sales and ads, and control the kids show. Crazy!

RIDICULOUS.

but I use it. :)

Baby Fever!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:51:00 +0000

That's it.... it's official, I have baby fever! I can count on my hand the number of friends, NOT preggo right now.... yeah pretty much everyone is getting pregnant or having babies all around me.... and my boys are turning 2 & 4 in less than a month! UGH!

I cannot wait to have another baby, I love being pregnant and the whole process SO amazing to me, and shows me more of God each time.

But alas.... I must wait, lots going on in our life right now, and finances need to be in a better place before we can focus on that. Be still my heart (and womb!) :) I guess I gotta just keep telling myself {don't give in to peer pressure, don't give in to peer pressure} lol.

My Precious....

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Nothing in the world is quite as precious as watching your children sleep.

1. because they are actually asleep!

2. because they look so sweet and innocent.

...melts my heart :)

Celebrating 10 Years!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:10:00 +0000

November 17, 1999

I was a freshman at FSU and living the "typical" college life. I joined a sorority, lived in a dorm, was really trying to control & live my own life. I had just gotten back from a fraternity formal weekend in Destin, FL, where some sketchy things happened and that was fresh off of a trip with some sorority sisters to Orlando the weekend before, where one of them OD'd and ended up in the hospital- just after we both had taken the same things at the same time. It was all catching up to me. Reality was hitting me that I was not in control. In fact, I was losing control pretty fast.

My roommate, Kelly, (hind sight was completely placed in my life by God) and her boyfriend at the time (now hubby) kept inviting me out to their campus ministry. I blew them off every time for a party or sorority function. But this week something was different. Just coming off some crazy weekends, with reality hitting me of what could happen with my life out of control. I gave in and figured it couldn't hurt to go with them this one time (I grew up in church and youth group and all, couldn't be that different, right?!).

We walked to the student union, entered one of the ballrooms and there was a band playing. Sterling Brown was leading that band, and Pastor Chip Buhleur was getting ready to preach. The music had begun, and there were only a few seats open, so we had to sit right in the front row. As Sterling started singing the lyrics, he made eye contact with me, I felt like he looked right into my soul and could see all the junk I was hiding.

I fell to my knees and started BALLING. Like the not pretty kind of crying. No one had even preached a word. God spoke to me in that moment like I had never heard before. He wanted me. I think I was embarrassing Clayton because he immediately ran to get the campus minister's wife (Jen!). She took (dragged) me outside along with her baby (Clara) who was only like 4 months old.

That night I changed. I have never been the same. I am dramatic in nature, and it seems like my180 was just as dramatic. November 17, 1999 was the night I completely surrendered my life to Christ. It has been the most AMAZING 10 years of my life since then. It is so hard to believe from one little moment like that the course of my destiny was changed. I am so completely grateful for Jesus getting a hold of me, and also for friends who didn't stop trying. I am just in awe of all that God has done in my life since then, just for being willing to lay it all down to Him. It is all about Jesus.... but I must also say thank you to all my great friends (and my hubby!) that constantly keep me encouraged, accountable, and in the game.

So as tomorrow comes. I will celebrate! 10 years of being a daughter of The King!

The Crazy Thing About Kids Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:21:00 +0000

It is unreal to me how "Kids Songs" appeal to kids! I cannot figure out why kids like to hear terrible music and singers over GREAT music and singers (ie. my/adult music). It's practically soothing to them! We have a couple of really really bad (as in annoying) kids CDs, so bad Ross can't stand them for a minute. And of course, those are the 2 that the boys MAKE us play.

It is rather amazing how they do the trick though. If we're in the car for a long time or late at night, just stick one of those CDs in, and it practically puts the boys in a trance. It's hilarious (yet annoying). :)

Luckily today I got the deal of the year! I went to Family Christian Bookstores and found a great CHRISTMAS VeggieTales CD... as I was checking out the clerk told me about a great deal they had, and only had 4 left of- I ended up with 1 VeggieTales DVD, 2 CDs, and 1 VeggieTales cookie cutter all for under $20! (great for part of the boys B-day gifts!). I was so excited. For some reason, the silly VeggieTales voice are WAY better to me than typical Kid CDs.

Do you have any recommendations of good Kid CDs? Especially worship or Scripture memory ones?

Decompression

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Middleton) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:49:00 +0000

How do YOU decompress?

Every so often "it" always piles up on me.... I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, stretched to my limit, get snappy, easily frustrated and I'm just not fun to be around. I realized this the other day, and it dawned on me... I haven't had any "time off". I try to have my quiet time each day, and that's usually enough to help me get through the day, but sometimes you need just a little bit more.

It's amazing how just a little change in scenery can change your perspective and help you decompress. I am trying to work it into our weekly schedule that Ross spends extra time with the boys alone, and I go somewhere to "decompress". It doesn't take a whole lot to have a huge effect on me. This week I just went window shopping, alone, for a few hours, got a Starbucks, journaled, and read a book. When I got home, I was like a new woman!

What does the trick for you? How do you refresh/decompress? I would love to hear some tips or ideas!