This week has been awfully trying for us at the Teer house. It has not been anything monumental on the jobless front. Instead it has all been wrapped around the Sleep Wars we keep having with our precious little girls! I thought I would post a synopsis of the events of this week because I know many of you would appreciate the humor we are still not quite able to see...yet...
Although the Sleep Wars were seemingly over before school started, Sleep Wars II started with the new school schedule. Each day pretty much goes the same way. Many excuses and complaints later, the girls are in bed with an hour to spare before they MUST be asleep. The next hour is spent correcting, disciplining, and reminding them that it's nite-nite time and not time to get out of their beds and/or play and talk. About 4 days ago, they decided to move to def-con 5.
Not only did we do the normal to bed dance as mentioned above, but both girls decided to go into hyper drive when it came to resisting sleep. Our "love you!"s and "nite-nite"s were met with uncontrollable screaming and crying fits as we closed the door. Imagine it, our quiet evening together being serenaded by massive amounts of temper tantrums playing like music in the background. Obviously, self-control was at an all time low for the girls. That was just the beginning...
The girls have decided to play specific roles in this war. Meliya has become the informant and general know-it-all. Everything we say is punctuated by, "I know" or "no, it's not." Not to mention the "Caillyn's out of bed," "Caillyn's in the toy box," and other commentary that is shouted at us through the door or through the monitor. She always manages to look like an angel when we walk into the room, despite having more stuff in her bed than before we shut the door.
Caillyn has become our adventurous explorer. With every shut of the door, comes a new opportunity to do something forbidden and exciting. As if on a secret mission, she proudly goes where Mommy and Daddy don't want her to go (with a smile on her face). One night, it was completely emptying her toy box all over the floor and her sister's bed in order for her to hide in the toy box. Another time was just perfect to pull out all the wipes from the wipes container and pretend to change the diaper on her bears and dolls, clean things, etc... (Wet wipes everywhere are not fun to clean up when you are very pregnant and can't bend over.)
Another mission came during the wee morning hours when we foolishly thought the girls were asleep. Apparently, all of the sleep wars have honed their ability to be stealthily quiet during these adventures. Unbeknown to us, Caillyn decided to venture out of her room to other areas of the house. This was only discovered when we found evidence in her room. She had pulled toys out of the main room and taken them back to play with. The real shocker was when we found some of my sewing supplies buried in her sheets. She apparently had wandered into the baby's room, which is in progress, where my sewing machine is currently set up and rummaged through my supplies until she found something interesting...my tape measure and my bag of hand sewing stuff (seam ripper, needle and thread, etc.). Mommy was not happy!!!
However, the real SURPRISE for us all came a few mornings ago when Dave went to kiss Caillyn on the head. Instead of sweet sugars being left on her head, he got a smack of strawberry shampoo. Yes, our sweet little angel had been very successful in her mission that morning. She not only found toys to take back to her room from the main room, not only found some interesting sewing stuff to add to her collection in her bed, but also found the shampoo in the bathroom and preceded in trying to wash her hair. Dave had the wonderful experience of trying to wash our toddler's hair out in the kitchen sink...which she did NOT appreciate.
We are now experiencing what tonight will bring. Will it be as exhausting and as daunting as last night's battle: 2 and a half hours of constantly putting Caillyn back in bed and removing things from the room? Will it be better with only a little bit of intervention leaving everyone sane and relatively unscathed? Only time will tell...
For those of you who are parents in the trenches just like us, turn your eyes towards the heavens for from there is where your help comes. I wish, like everyone else, that parenting and life were easy. However, I also realize that through these everyday struggles life happens. One day can be a nightmare in which we want to forget, but it just may become a cherished memory we hold onto one day in the DISTANT future.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
From Serious to Silly
Many of our friends have asked how they can help or pray for us. So tonight, here is an update on our happenings so that you can pray for us...from the serious to the silly.
Dave has an interview on Thursday at 10am for a very good opportunity with a good company. We could use prayer that this would go exactly how God wants it to go. If this is how God wants to provide for our family, then may it be smooth and successful. If it is not, may the door close quickly so that we can focus on where God wants us to look next.
Meliya and Caillyn have started playschool (mother's day out/preschool). They are having a hard time adjusting to the new schedule which leaves them exhausted and prone to many misbehaviors. Anything from defiance, using ugly words, to outright mega meltdowns and explosions. Please pray for them that they adjust to this new schedule quickly and easily and that they learn to embrace "rest" when the time comes so that they can enjoy the fun times even more. Also, pray for Dave and I as we try to maintain our self-control to correct the situation instead of giving in to our desire to scream through it.
Baby Teer is doing well, but is still breech at 32 weeks. Please pray that she will turn so that we don't have to face the likelihood of a c-section. My doctor thinks it would be a shame for me to have to do a c-section since I have such successful and "easy" natural births. I, for one, don't think the the natural births were "easy" as much as manageable; however, the thought of a c-section completely terrifies me. (Yes, I have a HUGE aversion to blood and pain...thankfully God's grace gets me through that part of mothering!) So please pray that this will just be another mild bump in the road.
Baby Teer is still nameless. Dave and I are having an extraordinarily hard time trying to come up with a name we both agree on and that fits our criteria: uncommon and meaningful. We jokingly call her Noname [no nah may] because we've only recently had 2 names to put on a list, much less be able to narrow the selection down to a short list of finalists! This is the more silly request, but please pray that God will give us wisdom to know the name He has selected for this precious blessing He has given us. With less than 9 weeks before d-day, the pressure is on.
Outside of that comes the request for general health and well being of me as I'm feeling huge and uncomfortable while still trying to be an active mom to our active girls; our general joyful outlook on life regardless of our circumstances; and our ability to point others to Christ through this whole process of waiting on His provision and timing.
Thank you for all of the support! May your week be blessed with His favor to get you through whatever tough times you may face!
Dave has an interview on Thursday at 10am for a very good opportunity with a good company. We could use prayer that this would go exactly how God wants it to go. If this is how God wants to provide for our family, then may it be smooth and successful. If it is not, may the door close quickly so that we can focus on where God wants us to look next.
Meliya and Caillyn have started playschool (mother's day out/preschool). They are having a hard time adjusting to the new schedule which leaves them exhausted and prone to many misbehaviors. Anything from defiance, using ugly words, to outright mega meltdowns and explosions. Please pray for them that they adjust to this new schedule quickly and easily and that they learn to embrace "rest" when the time comes so that they can enjoy the fun times even more. Also, pray for Dave and I as we try to maintain our self-control to correct the situation instead of giving in to our desire to scream through it.
Baby Teer is doing well, but is still breech at 32 weeks. Please pray that she will turn so that we don't have to face the likelihood of a c-section. My doctor thinks it would be a shame for me to have to do a c-section since I have such successful and "easy" natural births. I, for one, don't think the the natural births were "easy" as much as manageable; however, the thought of a c-section completely terrifies me. (Yes, I have a HUGE aversion to blood and pain...thankfully God's grace gets me through that part of mothering!) So please pray that this will just be another mild bump in the road.
Baby Teer is still nameless. Dave and I are having an extraordinarily hard time trying to come up with a name we both agree on and that fits our criteria: uncommon and meaningful. We jokingly call her Noname [no nah may] because we've only recently had 2 names to put on a list, much less be able to narrow the selection down to a short list of finalists! This is the more silly request, but please pray that God will give us wisdom to know the name He has selected for this precious blessing He has given us. With less than 9 weeks before d-day, the pressure is on.
Outside of that comes the request for general health and well being of me as I'm feeling huge and uncomfortable while still trying to be an active mom to our active girls; our general joyful outlook on life regardless of our circumstances; and our ability to point others to Christ through this whole process of waiting on His provision and timing.
Thank you for all of the support! May your week be blessed with His favor to get you through whatever tough times you may face!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Choices
Over the last few years, I have begun to realize the volume and gravity of our choices. I always knew we had millions of choices each day. Many could be grouped into these catagories: insignificant or important. I never fully grasped until recently how many other choices we have that significantly impact our lives in ways we don't realize.
For instance, we all know that choosing a career or who to marry will impact our lives forever. Whereas, choosing what shirt to wear would be insignificant to our greater good. However, I'm not talking about those types of choices. I'm talking about the types of choices we don't even realize exist. How many times have you thought you had a choice in how to react to a situation or how to feel? I always assumed that those responses were just a natural part of life, like breathing. You couldn't just respond a certain way, because that is not part of your personality or how you were raised, etc. However, God has been moving in our midst in a way that has made me aware of just how much my responses are controlled by those choices I don't know are there.
Fear is a natural response when facing something uncertain. Anger is a natural response when facing something frustrating or insulting. Sorrow is a natural response to a loss. I have to wonder, just because they may be natural responses, are they right...just...or even righteous? Once again, when faced with life's questions, I look to the bible for whatever wisdom I can glean.
I have begun to realize that even though these responses may be in our human nature, we are not destined or doomed to continue them. I propose that you have a choice by which you can make to determine your response. If you are gripped with fear, you choose faith instead. If you are gripped with anger, choose forgiveness instead. If you are gripped with sorrow, choose joy. How you might ask...by meditating on God's word until it becomes an attitude in your life.
For as long as I can remember, I thought my anger was a natural response that I could not control. Since having children, I have realized that it is actually just a huge temper tantrum. It is the inability to control my emotions for whatever reason. If it is not acceptable for my children to shout, hit, kick, and scream when they don't get their way, then why would it be OK for me, the mom, to do it?
As we have tried to teach our girls how to control themselves and act appropriately, we ourselves have had to do the same. We are no longer allowing ourselves the selfish indulgence of emotional outbursts, but choosing to restrain ourselves in a dignified manner. This is not an easy task...AT ALL! However, we have found that meditating on scripture and allowing it to flow within our minds freely has changed how we think and respond.
Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." When we face those times when our mouths want to convey "what we're really thinking," we take a breath and remember that our example is more important than a momentary "win." The lasting impact of how we behave in front of our girls, is more important than any momentary release of emotion. The value of watching our girls grow up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4) is much more rewarding.
As we have faced fear in this time of wandering when and how God will provide for our family during Dave's unemployment and our 3rd child's impending birth, we have had to stop and think on Phil. 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Fear and worry are not noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy things. If God's word commands us to "think about such things," then we must choose to fill our thoughts on the things that meet these criteria. When Dave and I find ourselves dwelling on fears or worries, we stop ourselves and replace those thoughts with praiseworthy things: God's promises, God's blessings, and/or God's provision. What an amazing difference that can make with just a little practice!
James tells us in James 1:3-4, "because the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Perseverance is like exercising the use of faith. Just as our bodies cannot compete unless we exercise them in practice, neither can our faith be successful unless we practice perseverance. Dave and I are far from perfect! However, we can say that practicing perseverance by exercising our faith by our choice to believe in God's promises has made life much less stressful, much more enjoyable, and amazingly worth while.
What kind of choice are you going to make today?
For instance, we all know that choosing a career or who to marry will impact our lives forever. Whereas, choosing what shirt to wear would be insignificant to our greater good. However, I'm not talking about those types of choices. I'm talking about the types of choices we don't even realize exist. How many times have you thought you had a choice in how to react to a situation or how to feel? I always assumed that those responses were just a natural part of life, like breathing. You couldn't just respond a certain way, because that is not part of your personality or how you were raised, etc. However, God has been moving in our midst in a way that has made me aware of just how much my responses are controlled by those choices I don't know are there.
Fear is a natural response when facing something uncertain. Anger is a natural response when facing something frustrating or insulting. Sorrow is a natural response to a loss. I have to wonder, just because they may be natural responses, are they right...just...or even righteous? Once again, when faced with life's questions, I look to the bible for whatever wisdom I can glean.
I have begun to realize that even though these responses may be in our human nature, we are not destined or doomed to continue them. I propose that you have a choice by which you can make to determine your response. If you are gripped with fear, you choose faith instead. If you are gripped with anger, choose forgiveness instead. If you are gripped with sorrow, choose joy. How you might ask...by meditating on God's word until it becomes an attitude in your life.
For as long as I can remember, I thought my anger was a natural response that I could not control. Since having children, I have realized that it is actually just a huge temper tantrum. It is the inability to control my emotions for whatever reason. If it is not acceptable for my children to shout, hit, kick, and scream when they don't get their way, then why would it be OK for me, the mom, to do it?
As we have tried to teach our girls how to control themselves and act appropriately, we ourselves have had to do the same. We are no longer allowing ourselves the selfish indulgence of emotional outbursts, but choosing to restrain ourselves in a dignified manner. This is not an easy task...AT ALL! However, we have found that meditating on scripture and allowing it to flow within our minds freely has changed how we think and respond.
Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." When we face those times when our mouths want to convey "what we're really thinking," we take a breath and remember that our example is more important than a momentary "win." The lasting impact of how we behave in front of our girls, is more important than any momentary release of emotion. The value of watching our girls grow up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4) is much more rewarding.
As we have faced fear in this time of wandering when and how God will provide for our family during Dave's unemployment and our 3rd child's impending birth, we have had to stop and think on Phil. 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Fear and worry are not noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy things. If God's word commands us to "think about such things," then we must choose to fill our thoughts on the things that meet these criteria. When Dave and I find ourselves dwelling on fears or worries, we stop ourselves and replace those thoughts with praiseworthy things: God's promises, God's blessings, and/or God's provision. What an amazing difference that can make with just a little practice!
James tells us in James 1:3-4, "because the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Perseverance is like exercising the use of faith. Just as our bodies cannot compete unless we exercise them in practice, neither can our faith be successful unless we practice perseverance. Dave and I are far from perfect! However, we can say that practicing perseverance by exercising our faith by our choice to believe in God's promises has made life much less stressful, much more enjoyable, and amazingly worth while.
What kind of choice are you going to make today?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contented in ALL Things?
It has been a rough week for me in particular. As I strive to find contentment through this uncertainty, God decided to put another element into the mix...my health. It all started with my glucose test last Thursday. What should have been a routine 1 hour of misery type appointment turned into more than my poor body could handle. The test didn't get started until 9:15am, which is way too late for a pregnant mom to go without food! Instead of being over by 10:15 and enjoying a late breakfast out, we were told to go to the hospital lab for another poke and blood draw. Apparently, the first lab seems to think I have A- blood which means I need a shot (which 2 different blood draws apparently confirmed), but my blood type is A+...it has been through 2 babies. After my third poke and a long wait, I finally was able to eat at 11am, but told to come back in 2 hours to find out my results to see if I really needed the shot. I was not a happy momma! By the time we picked up the girls and came home for lunch, I went straight to bed from sheer exhaustion. Good news, my blood type is A+ and I didn't have to go back to the hospital 2 hours later, but the day was shot as was my ability to do anything but be a blob on the couch!
Friday was rough because we were trying to cram 2 days of chores into 1 along with extra cranky children. Saturday was a whirl wind because of our plans and Sunday I was too exhausted to remember much. Caillyn had started to wake up 4-5 times a night crying which just added to the stress. By Sunday night, she woke up about every hour all night. Monday I had an unbelievable disagreement with my office chair that landed me on the floor and bruised on my right side from my elbow to my calf. Monday evening we found Caillyn's tonsils were so swollen that she could barely swallow. Dave rushed her to the clinic and thankfully she was started on an antibiotic...all covered under insurance before COBRA could screw things up.
Tuesday came with Dave going back to his old job for a 2 day contract. (Yeah for a little bit of money coming in!) That seemed to be the end of the good news at least for a while. The doctor called to say I flunked my glucose test and have to be a human pin cushion for a 3 hour one soon. By this time, nothing could stop the tears from flowing. Hormones, exhaustion, and the sheer thought of the already big bruise on my arm getting bigger and more painful was too much for me to take! The girls crankiness won and I joined in the crying party. Vacuuming, cleaning up messes, and staying sane seemed to be more than I could take.
By nap time, I started to have a moment to reflect on how I was "handling" everything that came our way. I realized that I may be choosing contentment in our financial uncertainty, but when fatigue and health issues set in, I quit. Why is it easier for me to have faith that could move a mountain when considering our earthly needs being met, but not when my body seems to misbehave? I realized, I hadn't chosen to trust Him in taking care of me and the body He has given me. If being a pin cushion is what He wants me to do to trust Him, then I should consider it a blessing. A blessing, you ask? Yes, a blessing because Jesus endured beatings and death for me in the hope that I would accept Him as my Savior. Why should an ache or pain turn my mountain of faith into a pool of doubt?
During this time of rumination, as I sit here feeling yucky with a fever, I consider 2 different passages that help take my focus off of me and put it where it belongs...Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-8,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
This passage tells us that walking in righteousness will bring us health and nourishment. Who am I to disagree with scripture by failing to practice my faith and therefore, not believing what it says? Hebrews 12:2-3 says,
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
What excuse do I have to legitimize my struggles compared to the very struggles of Jesus? What gives me the right to think my bruises are more important and painful than His torturous death? So on that note, I will choose to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds," as James 1:2 tells us for what other choice do I have? Live as God commands and be taken care of and filled with His overwhelming peace and joy. Or I could live as the world does, wallowing in my misery never to find true happiness and fulfillment. I hope you choose joy too and let God prove Himself worthy in your life as He is doing in mine.
Friday was rough because we were trying to cram 2 days of chores into 1 along with extra cranky children. Saturday was a whirl wind because of our plans and Sunday I was too exhausted to remember much. Caillyn had started to wake up 4-5 times a night crying which just added to the stress. By Sunday night, she woke up about every hour all night. Monday I had an unbelievable disagreement with my office chair that landed me on the floor and bruised on my right side from my elbow to my calf. Monday evening we found Caillyn's tonsils were so swollen that she could barely swallow. Dave rushed her to the clinic and thankfully she was started on an antibiotic...all covered under insurance before COBRA could screw things up.
Tuesday came with Dave going back to his old job for a 2 day contract. (Yeah for a little bit of money coming in!) That seemed to be the end of the good news at least for a while. The doctor called to say I flunked my glucose test and have to be a human pin cushion for a 3 hour one soon. By this time, nothing could stop the tears from flowing. Hormones, exhaustion, and the sheer thought of the already big bruise on my arm getting bigger and more painful was too much for me to take! The girls crankiness won and I joined in the crying party. Vacuuming, cleaning up messes, and staying sane seemed to be more than I could take.
By nap time, I started to have a moment to reflect on how I was "handling" everything that came our way. I realized that I may be choosing contentment in our financial uncertainty, but when fatigue and health issues set in, I quit. Why is it easier for me to have faith that could move a mountain when considering our earthly needs being met, but not when my body seems to misbehave? I realized, I hadn't chosen to trust Him in taking care of me and the body He has given me. If being a pin cushion is what He wants me to do to trust Him, then I should consider it a blessing. A blessing, you ask? Yes, a blessing because Jesus endured beatings and death for me in the hope that I would accept Him as my Savior. Why should an ache or pain turn my mountain of faith into a pool of doubt?
During this time of rumination, as I sit here feeling yucky with a fever, I consider 2 different passages that help take my focus off of me and put it where it belongs...Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-8,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
This passage tells us that walking in righteousness will bring us health and nourishment. Who am I to disagree with scripture by failing to practice my faith and therefore, not believing what it says? Hebrews 12:2-3 says,
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
What excuse do I have to legitimize my struggles compared to the very struggles of Jesus? What gives me the right to think my bruises are more important and painful than His torturous death? So on that note, I will choose to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds," as James 1:2 tells us for what other choice do I have? Live as God commands and be taken care of and filled with His overwhelming peace and joy. Or I could live as the world does, wallowing in my misery never to find true happiness and fulfillment. I hope you choose joy too and let God prove Himself worthy in your life as He is doing in mine.
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