Choosing Gratitude...

I went out to the mail box today to find this book from my sweet friend Mary at Giving Up On Perfect!  Mary has been a dear friend since high school...she is such a sweet gal with a heart for the Lord and a wit and humor that literally sends me into peels of laughter.  Just read one of her posts and I guarantee you will feel as if you've known her forever.

But, back to the book.  I feel like Mary knows me so well. 

When I opened to the first chapter, I just knew this was exactly what I needed to read in addition to my quiet time:

The quote reads: 

'The Power of Gratitude:  Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.' Alexander Maclaren. 

Speaks for itself don't you think?

There is something about the beauty of life's trials...they either bring gratitude towards our Heavenly Father, or bitterness that life seems unfair.  My prayer is that my heart continues on the path of gratitude.

It's easy to focus on the circumstance and forget about the purpose of trials:

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

NIV

This is at the heart of developing gratitude...understanding that the trials are to draw us near to God, strengthening our faith and reliance on Him and experiencing His provision as He walks us through difficult circumstances.

I am so eager to continue reading this book,  and get to the heart of having an overflowing sense of gratitude toward our Heavenly Father, in whatever His will is for my life.

 

Thank you so much for this book Mar! 

Sayin' Bye-Bye To The Paci And Other Big-Girl News...

Well, the little Miss turned two on Friday and on Sunday we officially gave the paci the boot, cold-turkey style.  My brother and sister-in-law are expecting a sweet little boy in August, so Eva donated her paci's to baby Mason (in theory). 

*Preparing to 'give' the paci's to the baby

**Forgive the cabinet doors...we're in the process of refinishing our cabinets...

We helped her gather up all of her paci's (five total) and place them in a bag.  As we prepared to say good-bye, she gave a longing look in the bag, then reached in and pulled each one out for one last suck before placing them back in the bag.  She looked like a smoker taking one last drag before calling it quits, knowing deep down it's the right thing to do, but boy, it's hard to say good-bye.

*Saying Good-bye

Daddy took the bag out to the car and drove away to 'give' them to Mason.  When he came back, he had a little gift from Mason to Eva...a little Hello Kitty.  It's kind of cool how a kiddo still in utero can go shopping.  He's like a fetal prodigy.  

*A gift for the big-girl

Our first night paci-free went pretty well.  There was a little fussing initially and asking for the paci, but she fell asleep on her own and slept through the night!

Nap time today was a little rough, but this evening she was exhausted and went right to sleep with no fussing!  Yay!

We're just so proud of her.  She's really such a strong little girl and adapts to change so well.  She potty trained like a pro, she's adjusting to being paci-free, and soon she'll transition to a big girl bed!

It definitely seems like in just a matter of a few days she's gone from baby to big-girl :(  I guess I'm going to have to start a campaign to convince B that three is the magic number.  Anyone want to be my campaign manager?

*p.s.  I have so much to share with all of you...but it will have to wait for a few more days! 

I will just say God is so good and we are rejoicing in the Jackson household!

Two Years Ago...

She made her grand entrance...

Our midwife called B over and said, "Well, come take a look at what you've got!"

With tears in his eyes he exclaimed, "It's a girl!"

She joined our family with gusto...and fit right in with the craziness...

She's the girl with a plan...looking for action...

Her heart is tender...and she loves her brother...

photo Urbanwings Artography

She is the sweetest gift...

photo Urbanwing Artography

My sweet Eva...

Do you know how much love fills my heart for you?  You are a precious treasure, and being your mommy brings me more joy than I could have ever imagined.  You have brought our family laughter, excitement, mischief, joy and tenderness.  You have such a sensitive heart for others...and that is an answer to prayer.

My greatest joy is to pray with you before bedtime and watch you slowly close your eyes and whisper HIS name.  That's all you say.  I pray you whisper HIS name all the days of your life.  I pray your heart is sensitive to HIS calling.  I pray you find your satisfaction in HIM. 

I pray you grow in wisdom. 

You are precious.  You are beautiful.  You bring so much joy to us.

I love you so much my sweet girl!

Happy Birthday my love!

Love,

Mama

Breakfast Date...

They had a date. 

It was simple...toast for him and second breakfast for her...

 After one bite, she made his toast hers...

He didn't mind...he simply made more...





And she ate all of that too...

Embrace The Camera...

Read From Someone Else's Heart...

Hey friends!
I'm not writing a post today...okay, technically I am, but I feel like my friend Mary really hit the ball out of the park today, so I'm sending you her way.  What she had to say today truly got to the heart of what I think many of us as wives, mothers, daughters, and friends often feel about ourselves.

I've read so many posts lately of fellow bloggers beating themselves up about the way they are perceived, or comparing themselves to the talents of others.  Please read Mary's post...I hope it blesses you and changes how you view yourself...I know it did me.  Please visit her over at (in)courage today, and, when you get a chance, visit Mary over at Giving Up On Perfect. She is witty, talented and just an all around amazing gal!

Love,

Nikki

Peanut Butter, A Boy, and A Dog...

Let's start off with the cast of characters:

Peanut Butter...



A Boy...

And a Dog...

 

The little Mr. loves peanut butter...a lot.  It ranks right up there with pizza.  The trouble, is that for the past several weeks, I've found evidence that he has been sneaking peanut butter behind our backs. 

First, it was the peanut butter smeared spoons placed back in the silverware drawer.  I'm usually the lucky one to find them when I'm groggily searching for a spoon to stir my morning tea.  Yuck.

Then, it was the heavy odor of peanut butter on his breath pretty much all day long.

One morning (scratch that several mornings) I woke up, only to find him hiding under our work station with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon.

But, the final straw was the one morning that we all payed the price for his poor attempts at covering his tracks.

We got up, and like most mornings, we were running late and needed to hurry and get the Mr. to preschool.  I encouraged him to hurry with his breakfast, while thrusting shoes and socks in his direction.  I walked into the kitchen to discover that something was captivating Stella's attention.  She's extremely lazy, so to see her up and attentive after eating breakfast at 7am is really unusual.  Usually, she's already back in bed, wishing we'd all go away.

Anyway, she had her head shoved into the space under our work station and she was stretching with all her might to reach something near the back, all the while making this horrible licking/smacking noise.

I shooed her away and peeked under the desk to discover an open jar of peanut butter and a spoon.  In true mastiff style, her face was covered in drool and she was quite pleased with herself and the extra protein she had just consumed.  Friends...it was gross...and there was a mess.

Now, all I can tell you is that it was a brand new jar of peanut butter, and either Stella or the little Mr. managed to eat half of it in one sitting.  I got bits and pieces of the story, but the final conclusion was that when the Mr. heard us get out of bed, it spooked him and he forgot the jar and the spoon in his hiding spot.

The other thing I can tell you, is both the Mr. and Stella had a bit of...how do I say this delicately...digestive issues.  There was no denying the evidence there my friends.

But, you know, we haven't had a problem since.  No more peanut butter spoons.  No more hiding.   No more misplaced peanut butter jars.

Sometimes natural consequences provide the remedy to a sticky situation.

Embracing The Camera Jackson Style...

This is how we Embrace The Camera around here...

You see friends, I didn't have anything in my pockets to bribe my children to hold still for the camera...I found myself ill-prepared.  So, this is what the Jackson's look like sans bribes.

I believe that bribery is vehmently discouraged by most parenting experts...so you'd best not follow my example.

Well, this was the best out of three.  Now, go fill your pockets with M&M's and Embrace The Camera with Emily...