First Tiger's Game

Today, Chris, Melia, and I along with my dad, sister, brother-in-law, brother, sister-in-law and their two girls (ages 3 and 4) went to the Tiger's day. Melia has been telling everyone all weekend we were going "to golf" (something her daddy loves to do). She has had little exposure to baseball, and in her two year old mind, Daddy golfs and he uses a ball; therefore, everything that uses a ball is golf.

It was a sunny 84 degree day. We arrived during the 2nd inning of the game. Melia spent 2 innings taking in all the sounds, sights, and smells.

"What's that noise, mommy?, What is that smell?, What does that person have? (referring to the vendors walking around)"

So much to take in. During the 5th inning the girls were getting a little restless, so it was off to the carousel. It was Kid Day at the park, so they were giving free rides. We had to wait for about 20 min, before we got our turn, but it was well worth the wait to see the smiles on their faces. It was back to the seats for the final two innings. The Tiger's won the game, which was exciting for all the boys (who were there to actually watch the game).

All in all it was a great day with our family.

My Nieces

Yesterday, Melia and I got to go out with my sister-in-law and her two girls, Emma and Lilly. A friend, Corey invited us to a family fun day at his work. It was REALLY hot, but the girls spent time running from inflatable to inflatable, having a great time. They also got airbrush tattoos, went on pony rides, and got to pet a sheep, cow, donkey, and camel. It was a kid's paradise.

Thanks, Corey for letting us tag along with you and Kristen. It was a great time.

I watch my niece, Sydney on Thursday's. She is adorable. Melia is a big help when Sydney is here. She tries to feed and change her diapers. Yesterday, she was feeding Sydney her bottle. She looks up after a few minuets and says, "Mommy, it's dripping, we need her burp rag. Go get her burp rag." She takes the bottle out and tries to hold her up to burp her. She is a great little helper.

Big Bed...Here I come

Chris and Melia worked to take down her crib and put her new bed up. Even Eva got in on the action. She has slept in it two nights and two naps. The transition has been pretty smooth. The first nap and night, we laid with her for a few min, left the room and it was off to sleep. Last night she got out of bed one time. We talked for a few min. about the rules and consequences and off to sleep she went. She looks so little in that full size bed. It has been fun being able to lay with her and snuggle. She has done great at naps and in the morning, waiting and calling for us to come and get her. Hopefully this transition will continue to go smoothly.

We moved her room around last night to accomodate the bed. The bedding and curtains are coming along, hoping to have it complete soon.

Seeing Spots

Seeing spots...the theme for Melia's "big girl" room. By the end of the week Melia will be out of her crib, which grows with her into a full size bed with a head and foot board. The mattress is being delivered tomorrow. Full size bed means...new mattress, new sheets and blankets, new pillows, and new dust ruffle. Trying to work with the decor she has, I found this quilt pattern called seeing spots. She has circles and squares stenciled on the walls of her room, so this fit perfectly with the theme. I have begun the quilt/duvet and am working on sprucing up curtains and a bed skirt. She will have a down comforter with a duvet, but the top part of the duvet will be quilted, so if I want to take it apart and bind it one day, most of the work will be done and she can keep it as a keepsake. I found plain curtains and a bed skirt at Walmart for cheap and am going to embellish them to fit the theme. Here are a few shots of the work I have done so far (curtain on the right and quilt on the left). I am hoping to have a lot of it done by the end of the weekend. More pictures to come once the room is complete.

I cannot believe it is already time to move her out of her crib. I was just looking at the picture we have of of Melia's first night home. Where does time go?

Fun in the Sun

The girls and I went to a small water park in Dryden today with a couple mom's I met at story time at the library. The girls had a great time. The water was a chilly 72 degrees, but still fun. Melia could stay in the water for hours. Melia had a blast shooting the squirt guns.

Confidence

Confidence: When I looked up the word confidence, I found many definitions. Here are a few of the ones I like the best.

a: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances b: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way

1. Trust or faith in a person or thing.

2. A feeling of assurance

3. The state or quality of being certain

The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security.

Confident people have deep faith in their future and can accurately assess their capabilities. They also have a general sense of control in their lives and believe that, within reason, they will be able to do what they desire, plan and expect, no matter what the foreseeable obstacle. But this faith is guided by more realistic expectations so that, even when some of their goals are not met, those with confidence continue to be positive, to believe in themselves and to accept their current limitations with renewed energy. taken from "The Definition of Confidence"
By: Elaine Sihera -

I loved this definition. This is what I want my life to look like. I want to not depend on myself, but on the Lord, knowing that I can do all things through Christ. That even when I face obstacles, I can look at them, in confidence, knowing I will walk through it, and be able to remain steadfast.

Confidence is looked at negatively by some. It can come off as cocky, full of one-self, and boastful. There is a fine balance, between these and being confident in who you are as a person and your abilities. You can pick these differences out very quickly, when watching and listening to people. I find that people who brag and boast of their actions are the ones that usually lack confidence and need reassurance in what they are doing.

Why I am writing all of this? Throughout my life, I have struggled with confidence. I am confident in my abilities as a teacher. I have had years of training and experience that has lead to this confidence. I am confident in my ability as a mom, even though having a two year old can make me question it at times. I love my children more than life and feel like we are doing a great job training them. I am confident as a wife, something that has grown with time. I have been walking with the Lord a long time, and am confident in who Christ is. SO, I ask myself, "Why do I have times in my life in which I completely lack confidence in all of these areas?" This has been a struggle for me these past couple weeks. In my mind I can convince myself I am a good wife, mother, friend etc., but then emotions and thoughts creep in and it all falls to pieces.

For me, and hopefully all people walking with the Lord, it comes down to knowing who we are in Christ. Where does your confidence come from..Christ or flesh? A question that I have asked myself many time recently. As I was writing my previous post I came across a few lists, one of which I studied carefully today. In the middle of the page it says "We are..." and then surrounding it are statements and scripture references of who we are in Christ. What a perfect reminder for me today. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to me...Having the mind of Christ Phl 2:5, More than Conquerors Rom. 8:37, Loved by God, John 3:16, Sons and Daughters of God, Gal. 3:26, Being transformed by the renewing of our Minds, Rom 12:2. There are so many more.

Confidence comes from knowing who you are in Christ. When people come against you, and you are looking adversity in the face, we can stand on this confidence. He has created us to be exactly who we are. Not to live to others expectations, thoughts, and actions, but to live by the Spirit, walking in His grace.

My Heart Sister reminded me of this today. She encouraged me to start small, being confident in one area and letting leak over into others. I now have a new outlook. I am walking in the TRUTH of who Christ has created me to be. Although, the above definitions depend on one-self, we can easily convert this to depending on the Father. I want to live in a state of mind, as the third definition states, that is characterized by reliance in HIM. Sometimes this is easier said then done, but I encourage you to do the same. Life is to short to always be worried about what others think, or trying to live to others expectations. Live life being who the Lord has called YOU to be.

Prayer:
Lord, continue to reveal to me who you have created me to be. You have created me as an individual and called me to accomplish many things while on this earth, not for my glory, but for yours. Help me to fulfill the destiny you are calling me to. Help me to walk in your confidence and not in confidence in the flesh.

What's in a name?

What is in a name? What is the meaning of your name? Does it describe who you are?

When we were picking names for our children, the meaning of the name was something we looked at when considering if it was going to make "the list". The other night before putting Eva to bed, I re-read the scripture that I painted on the wall of her room. It is from Proverbs and is speaks about wisdom. I chose it in part because I loved the illustration that it made and it speaks of Life. Eva's name means "Giver of Life".

She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of LIFE to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Proverbs 3:15-18

We want our children to walk in this Wisdom of the Lord, knowing who He is and calling upon His name, all the days of their lives.

When praying for our children, I ask the Lord to make the meaning of their name evident in their life. I want it to be more that just what they are called, I want it to be who they are.

As I was looking and thinking about names, I came across this and it put my thoughts into to words,

"Names have great significance in the Bible. A name was not just the label that differentiated one person from another, but often described something about the person. The name Abraham is translated "Father of a multitude", Jacob means "supplanter" and David "beloved". The most important names in the Bible, however, describe God Himself. He uses His names to help humanity understand the reality of who He is. God does not cloak His identity and distance Himself from His creation. Instead, we have a God who desires to be known." Taken from the K-House eNews

You might be thinking, "wow, she is putting way to much into this meaning," but it got me thinking about how many names that describe the Lord in the bible. These names represent who He is and His character. Here is a small section of a list...

Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Advocate, Bread of Life, Counselor, Holy One, JEHOVAH, Just One Life, Lord of all, Prince of life, Prince of Peace, Redeemer

If we think about WHO He is and all the names that could be given, it is truly incredible. Here is a sample from a list I have...

All knowing, my comforter, my defender, faithful and true, my joy and song, my hope, my fullness, my banner of VICTORY, my burden-bearer, my friend, my endurance and encouragement...the list could go on and on.

Who is He to you today? For me, it changes day to day. In recent days He is comforter to me, as I have been struggling with a few things. He is my strength. No matter the situation or season, there is a name that you can ALWAYS call upon, one above ALL others...Jesus. I call upon you today and will serve you in all I do.

Here is what our names mean...

Christopher - Christ-Bearer -It was used by early Christians as a metaphorical name, expressing that they carried Christ in their hearts. In the Middle Ages, literal interpretations of the name's etymology led to Christopher who carried the young Jesus across a river.

I am so thankful that Chris is a Christ-bearer and he carries Christ in his heart. As he leads our family he depends on the Lord alone.

Meeghan- pearl/great/ strength (I found many times Meeghan was listed as a form of Margaret- which was a little stange to me- can't really see the connection between the two)

Melia-Hard-Working/Dedicated/Industrious - She is all of these things. When it comes to getting something she wants, she will work at it with a dedication like nothing else, and will problem solve a way to get it done until she reached the prize.

Eva- Giver of Life - She brings life and joy to so many people. I was thinking about the day she was born (see earlier post for the complete story). When we went back to see the paramedics who delivered her, they were so excited, and could of talked for days to us, about the experience. It was something they said, usually only happens once in a career. In a job where they see so much devastation and sadness, she brought "LIFE". Three days after Eva was born, she had to go back to the hospital for the night because she was jaundice. We had to check in through the ER and then were placed in a room. When we were being registered the nurse was asking about her birth, and then quickly realized she was the baby that just days earlier had been born in the ambulance, and had to be checked out in the ER before heading the the Labor/Delivery floor. Immediately, upon realizing this she turned to tell every nurse that walked by, "This is the baby born in the ER the other day". Many came to wish us congratulations, and said if they were not on shift, that day, they had heard about it. Eva brought LIFE into that place that night.

What does yours mean? I want to warn you, there are hundreds of sights out there that will give meanings of names. You may find several for your name depending on the origin. I was shocked at how many different meanings one little name could have. Have fun looking.

A weekend filled with Family, Friends, Fun, and Fireworks

What a GREAT weekend!!! We started the weekend with our 8th Annual 4th of July Pool Party. The smell hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air. The day was spent soaking up the sun, many games of Corn Hole aka Baggo, swimming, eating, and relaxing. About 60 adults and kids came out to join in the fun.


The party ended in the early evening, so we packed up the girls and headed to Lapeer to see some fireworks (Eva's first and Melia's second). The girls loved the show. Eva was mesmerized by all the flashes of light and Melia talked her way through the whole show..."That's a pretty one, Wow, that loud". I found myself watching the joy on their faces most of the show.


All of that and we still had two days in the weekend left. We spent the morning on Sat. doing errands and cleaning up. I spent a few hours in the afternoon helping Rebekah paint the babies room. It is going to be adorable. We spent the evening at another barbecue and bonfire.

Sunday morning we slept in a little, and went to breakfast with Ben and Rebekah. We spent the afternoon in the pool, and ended the weekend with another barbecue with Chris's brother and friend and Ben and Rebekah. So many great memories were made. It is so nice to put life on hold for a few days to spend time with the people you love, laughing, playing, eating and relaxing.

Eva had an eventful weekend full of firsts for her. Her first tooth popped through. It made for a few long nights, she was a trooper. She also experienced her first 4th of July party, first popsicle, and first fireworks. So many firsts...so many more to come.

TAG!!

I was tagged by Rebekah...so here it is.

1. What did you do 10 years ago?

1998...I was in my third year of college, first year living on campus at Eastern (I went to community college and lived at home for two years).
It was an interesting year, to say the least (a story for another day). I was dating Chris for four years by that point just waiting for the day we would say."I Do". I spent my time studying, spending time with Chris and family, and serving as a youth leader in the youth group I had attended.

2. Five things from your 'to do' list?
Short Term:

• Finish getting my house clean, getting ready for our annual 4th of July party which usually brings about 60-70 adults and kids to the house for a day of food, swimming, fellowship.
  
• Finish getting the food ready for the party
• Finish painting our built in entertainment center. Only one more coat needed!!!

Looking ahead to later in the weekend:

• Hopefully get time soaking up some rays in the pool with my friend Rebekah (it is July and we have yet to have a pool day) and help her get a few things done on her list like measuring the stripes for the babies room.
• Enjoy spending a beautiful weekend with my husband and girls.

3. Favorite snacks?

Well we do not have a ton of snacks in the house (unless Chris does the shopping, then there is a supply of swiss cake rolls and nutty bars for him and Ben). But I do like oreos, chips and salsa, and a choc. shake every now ans then.

4. What would you do if you were a millionaire?

Pay off our house and our parents houses. Talk to our financial planner and invest some. Give a bunch to be a blessing and spread the love of Christ.

5. Places where you've lived? Michigan...all my life