Can I Have and Do it All, Please?

I just finished reading this book by Christine Caine and I enjoyed it. More than that, I got some great 'nuggets' I want to share. The author, Chris, encourages women to know that having and doing it all is a perspective and heart issue. Here are three things that really stood out to me in this book:

1. "You must ensure you do not settle for anything less than God's ultimate purpose and plan for your life"... For me, this is huge. It's getting better with time (and age/responsibilities), but I have often run around wanting to do everything all at once.

2. "Having and doing it all is a constant process of change- a continual ebb and flow from one season to the next"... This is reassuring and just plain common sense all at once. With a preschooler, toddler, and 3 week old newborn it is not time for me to try to lead a ministry or even co-lead a group... however, as the seasons change, there will be time for this. Right now, my job and all is to take care of my husband and three beautiful daughters.

3. It's all about endurance! "... if we see... trials as opportunity for God to do great work IN us as part of the process of having and doing it all, then this will fuel us to keep going, and fill us with the strength and passion to endure and overcome". So I needed to read this quote THIS MORNING. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, and I am not viewing this as an opportunity for God to work in me. I need and want to though, so I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for sharing this book with me, Mandy!

Reflections and Revisions Take 2

Wow! I have found myself thinking and saying, "It can't be the new year already...". Last year, I wrote a post about the year entitled Reflections and Revisions. With lack of time and energy, I've cleverly made this post the second version of last year's. I'm even going to use the exact same format... here we go!

2010 has been a year of blessings and miracles. Here are some I'd like to share:

- Juliette was but a little newbie this time last year... almost 3 months old. We've seen so many milestones and firsts this year that have been awesome to be a part of.
- Belle started preschool (she will still go until the end of May) and loves it! She also completed her first ballet class and learned how to swing ("even without a push start, Mom!") towards the end of 2010.
- We found out Jax had his teaching position for another school year (a true miracle)!

- I was able to fly out to Colorado and attend my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary.

- I also got to visit one of my best friends Lindsey in San Diego in May.
- I got pregnant in May with Fiona (another miraculous event... ).

- I worked for a short stint teaching classes this summer at our local community college. A way God provided for us to send Belle to preschool.

- We spent our summer vacations well... a week in Anaheim, camping at Sequoia National Forest, beach/zoo/park trips...

- We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary... we had a fun getaway!

- We co-led and then led a Small Group through our church this year.

- We were able to be a part of Dave and Megan's wedding in August (Jackson's brother and my wonderful new sis-in-law).
- Jackson turned 30.
- Belle celebrated her 4th birthday, and Juliette her 1st year at the beginning of October.
- Have continued to be involved with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and am loving every minute of it.
- I got the privilege of staying home with both of my girls for most of the year (sans my part time teaching during the summer).

- We moved in and out of our home for over a month. I am also really excited that over the past 2 weeks Jackson and I have done a ton of home projects to make our home run as smoothly as possible with 3 little ones...

Here are the questions that I want to answer and pose for 2010 and 2011, respectively:

Did I fall more in love with Jesus?
Did I love Jackson well?
Am I loving my daughters into the arms of Christ?
Have I taken care of what has been entrusted to me?

To be quite honest, I could do more. It's been a year of many celebrations and miracles but as I look at the year and even in my journals I want more. SO, it is my heartfelt prayer that this time next year I will be writing that I fell more in love with Jesus, Jackson, and took great care with all that God has entrusted to me.

Here are some of my favorites pics from 2010...

Our Little Fiona... still in the womb. Due mid February of this year.

Visiting with Linds in SD this spring...

Belle and Juliette have had so much fun bonding and growing together this year!

We had lots of BBQs and celebrations this year...

Camping

Camping/Juliette about to fall asleep. LOL!

Dave and Megan's Wedding... Jax was the best Best Man!

Belle at ballet....

A Season

I haven't been online for more than about a half hour a week for the past month or so...This has been a difficult season for me and my family. There have been some wonderful memories and experiences, but at the end of the day, it's been difficult. Literally, at the end of the day it's been difficult because Jackson, myself (27 weeks pregnant as of yesterday), Belle, and Juliette have been living at my parent's place in a 10'x11' room. We have stayed with my parents for a little over 4 weeks now (in total it will be 5, we move back into our house this Saturday- woohoo!).

There's been very little "me time", but as the season of living at my parents' draws to a close I can't think of much more than God's faithfulness, blessing, and provision. We've had some quality time with my parents, my sisters (the two that live here), and my nephew. Jackson and I have remained connected and communicative through this time. Also, the girls haven't been too much out of a routine since the first week we moved here. In fact, Juliette has actually slept better at my parents' than she was before we moved from our own home.

I am very thankful for our family during this season and I am also ecstatic that we will be moving into our own place in a matter of days. Pictures of our "new place" to follow!

Happy First Birthday Juliette!

Juliette,

My sweet, graceful, playful daughter... I love you. You are so precious and have changed my life and many others. You turned one today so you've been out in this world for a year now. I can't remember life without you. I am praying that as you continue to grow, you will know God's love and grace. I feel SO blessed that I get to be your mom. You are so much fun. This year has been full of many struggles, changes, and celebrations. Throughout each and every moment, I have thanked God for your life. You are a delight. I love you, Juju Bee! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Belle!

Belle,

You are a treasure. Your sweet soul has already touched so many in wonderful ways. Since the day you were born you have lived life with your eyes wide open. I am praying that God uses your precious life to continue to touch and impact others for eternity. My prayer isn't that your life will be easy, or that you'll get all that you want... I pray that God will mold you, refine you, and draw you closer to His presence. I am asking God that He will fill you to overflowing with His joy and the knowledge of Him. My sweet baby girl, Happy Birthday!

Belle's Turning 4!

October 4, 2006... a day that forever changed my life.

October 2007... Belle playing at a local park as a toddler.

October 2008...

Belle dancing with her princess pinata at her 2nd birthday party.

October 2009... Belle's 3rd birthday party.

End of August 2010... Belle playing in Grammy and Papa's yard.

The past couple of months have been pretty emotional for me. It could be exaggerated by the fact that I'm 5 months pregnant... I've been thinking about how crazy it is that my baby girl is turning 4. She started preschool at the beginning of this month and I'm still not used to the fact that she's already attending preschool. Belle's sister, Juliette, is almost 1 and toddling around everywhere at this point. Time IS flying.

I can't begin to chronicle how this precious girl has impacted my life. So, I'll pick 4 ways that Belle has changed me for the better.

1. I know and love God more. I've definitely been (even more) faced with how selfish, fearful, and controlling I can be. Belle's birth and life have done nothing but draw me closer to Jesus.

2. I love Jackson more. I didn't think this possible, but seeing the love of my life as a father has given me a deeper love for my husband.

3. I became a teacher. I've always wanted to teach and thought, "I might do that sometime...". After Belle was born, it really pushed me to get my teaching credential and even finish my Masters in Education before her little sister was born.

4. I take care of me more. Having little ones is a "beautiful nightmare". I don't do all the things I did before little Belle came into my life, but having her has forced me to draw boundaries and protect her, my family, and myself.

Happy 4th Birthday Belle Elizabeth Alana Perdue (in 3 days)!

Happy 30th, Jax!... tomorrow.

Jackson's 30. I'm so proud of the leader, husband, father, teacher, and friend that he is. It seems like only a few years ago we were in our early 20's and dating/engaged. Well, since he's turning 30 (officially tomorrow, September 23rd) it's clearly been more than a few years. As we grow together (and our family grows :-)) my heart swells as I think about God's grace in my life and how Jackson was made to be my husband, and I his wife.

Here are 30 things about Jackson.... All of which I love.

1. He loves God. He has a heart and mind that seek after God. Ever since I've met him, I've only learned to love God more.

2. He's hilarious. His sense of humor can be self-deprecating and cynical, but he's super funny. Makes me laugh lots.

3. He's an amazing father. I'm in my 2nd trimester now, so I'm totally teary. As I think about how Jax loves his girls, I know he was meant to be a dad to 3 daughters.

4. He's faithful. In the little and small things... a man of great character.

5. He's geeky. In a good way. I love that I can ask him about anything computer-related.

6. He is a Fremont-native. Crazy. He was born a few miles from where we live and we grew up in the same town but didn't meet until we were 22.

7. He loves chocolate more than anyone I know. He's got me hooked on rich desserts now.

8. Jackson has a high capacity. He can do a ton of things well. I love that about him.

9. He's a phenomenal teacher. Although it's been recently that he earned his teaching credential, Jax has been a great teacher since we met. He's getting better every day...

10. He loves football. I'm pretty sure he likes it more than most guys that I know. Although I'm not too crazy about football, I love how much passion he has for the game. And how he creates fun football traditions in our home.

11. He's competitive. Enough said.

12. He's a good friend. While he doesn't get to spend the time he'd like to in this season of life, I see how much he loves his friends and blesses them when he can.

13. He's really smart. Sometimes I forget just how smart he is, but he's one of the brightest people I know... possibly the brightest.

14. He's resilient. Jax had some hard times growing up, but blossomed and persevered despite some rough years.

15. Jackson loves road trips.

16. Jackson doesn't want any pets. He's practical in that way.

17. He's 'with it'. Anytime I want to know more about a current event or what something means, I can ask Jax. 99 times out of 100 he knows the answer.

18. Jackson has a great family. Ours is great (of course :-)), but I'm referring to his parents, sister, and brother.

19. He is strong. Emotionally and physically. While he's not lifting with the body builders, I love that he can move anything I need him to.

20. Jackson's real first name is Jeremiah. Most of his old friends know this, but not sure if everyone does. It's funny, I've never seriously called him by his legal first name.

21. Perdue, our last name, means 'lost' in French.

22. Jackson does a superb job a grilling. Really, he's mastered his craft in the last few years.

23. He came down to visit me 17 times when we were dating/engaged long distance within the span of 10 months.

24. He's impacted and changed the lives of countless people.

25. He loves the outdoors and camping.

26. He doesn't take plastic film off new appliances or electronic devices so they can maintain their new look. He also does not bend book covers or pages on books.

27. He's handsome.

28. Jackson is a great leader.

29. He gave me the best (physical) present I've ever received... a photo book for our 5 year anniversary.

30. He's the best husband in the world. Cheesy, but true.