Lately, I have found myself unable to focus and stay on task. This is not new, as I have always been easily distracted (some might say I have ADHD) I like to think of myself as a great multitasker. But, since having baby girl and moving, I have struggled with focus, insomnia, and depression(again not new, just not wanted). As the dark months start to close in on me, I find my hearts prayer for the Lord to give me a booster shot of energy, motivation, and drive. So this morning, I woke with an idea. I am calling it the "Katie's Daily habits of Health." I am a firm believer that God made us like himself (God the father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit). We are mind, body, and soul. To be our best all three parts must be in good health. So I came up with a list of 20 things I need to do daily to maintain optimum health. This is a very simple list of very basic activities. They are in order of what come to me first (not what is more important than another).
1. Get up at 7 am (this is necessary to get up same time everyday to help with insomnia and motivation)
2. No candy (sugar addiction)
3. No Pop (caffeine and sugar addiction, Dr Pepper is my drug of choice)
4. Go to bed at 10 pm (not TV) (again to combat insomnia)
5. exercise 30+ minutes (combat laziness and depression)
6. go outside 5+ minutes (no matter what fresh air is always benificial)
7. no eating after supper (no nighmares)
8. drink water only (this is different than no pop)
9. pray
10. read Bible
11. eat with kids (if I eat with the kids I eat healthier, because I feed them healthier than I do myself)
12. one serving per meal
13. read out loud
14. memorize
15. have a meaningful conversation
16. hug someone
17. say I love you
18. pray with or for someone
19. write a letter or blog
20. be grateful for something/someone
The goal is to intentionally do each of these things everyday, until it is a habit. So, my plan is to take 20 weeks and intentionally add a new one each week. So, week one focus on getting up at 7, then week two add no candy eating, and so on, so by the end of twenty weeks all should be added into the days activities. Then go back to the top and do it again, until it is mastered.
I am sure other people would have other goals, but these are areas I need to focus on. maybe you have suggestions or ideas of other areas people in general could work on, please feel free to comment and share them.
A blog about living in a big family and trying to follow God.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Question 1: Are they all yours?
Whenever I go out of those with all twelve of my kids, I get asked this question. "Are they all yours?" Sometimes it is asked in a different way, like "Did you bring the whole neighborhood today? or "Do you run a daycare?" Sometimes, people say, "His,Yours and ours?" But, no matter how they ask, what they want to know is are they really all yours? Most of the time, this question doesn't bother me. I love people, to watch people, find people fascinating, and am very curious about people. So, I understand that others are curious too. Once in a while someone will be a little too nosy and/or rude in their curiosity and that is harder to deal with. So, what is my answer to this question. Usually, I just give a yes answer and a smile. This satisfies 85% of those who asks, and they usually say something like God bless you, or what a blessing large families are. But, once in a while people want more and say, so you gave birth to all of them, you must have been pregnant for the last fifteen years, are there any twins, etc. Others are even bolder and want you to clarify if any are adopted, foster, or step children (to me that is a little rude when the children are standing right there). Even though three of my beautiful children are adopted and know it, I don't think a total stranger needs to make them feel some how separated from the rest of the children. This is especially true when you have foster children. It always bothered me when I was a kid and people would point out that some of my siblings were foster children. Like they and I didn't already know that. Life is hard enough as a kids in the system why make them feel less like part of the family they are with.
Oops, I side tracked there, lets get back on the right track. So, Are they all mine? To be totally honest, yes and no. You see I believe they belong to God, and that I am just blessed by him to be their mother. So, yes, they are all my children born of my heart, and some born of my womb. Most days I do not even feel worthy of such a high calling as to mother one child, let alone twelve. But, God has blessed me, and I am grateful to enjoy the life I share with these children. They teach me so many things day after day. The next question I often get asked is, "so are you done?" check back in to see what my answer is for this one.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Oops, I side tracked there, lets get back on the right track. So, Are they all mine? To be totally honest, yes and no. You see I believe they belong to God, and that I am just blessed by him to be their mother. So, yes, they are all my children born of my heart, and some born of my womb. Most days I do not even feel worthy of such a high calling as to mother one child, let alone twelve. But, God has blessed me, and I am grateful to enjoy the life I share with these children. They teach me so many things day after day. The next question I often get asked is, "so are you done?" check back in to see what my answer is for this one.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Monday, November 7, 2011
two trains
Often in my mind, there are several trains of thought running in all sorts of directions. So for the next few weeks, I am going to focus on just two of these trains. One is how to answer the many often asked and sometimes not so often asked questions about being a big family, and the other is being prepared to answer the many questions asked after sharing the gospel message with someone. Recently, while studying 1 Peter chapter three, I was challenged by the thought of having a ready answer for the joy and hope in my life. I realize this verse is speaking about sharing the gospel message of salvation found only in Jesus Christ. But, I find often when I share the gospel with someone there is always many more questions. I also find that my choices in life give a message to others too, about my life as Christian. So, I think that it important to have answers to both questions about what I believe, and why I choose to live as I do. So, with that thought in mind I will begin a series of blogs to answer some of the many questions I have been asked. Below you can read 1 Peter 3, the verses I was referring to are towards the end, specifically 15 and 16. Keep watch for the first question for train one, "Are they really all you children?" and train two, "What makes you any better than me?"
1 Peter 3
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
What I`m Thankful for
This entry is a little late but, oh well. I am thankful for our loving and caring God. My most of the time nice family. For a nice warm house and a nice warm bed in my nice warm room. For food and drinks, most of all clear cool water. I`m thankful for my pet cats (5) and my pet rabbits (2). I`m thankful for Friends. For clothes and shoes. For entertainment like plays, movies, computer, etc.. I`m thankful for books to read. For toys to play with. For plants and animals. For mountains and rivers. For holidays. I`m thank ful for lots of things.
Friday, December 11, 2009
My thoughts on What Christmas means to my kids
It was interesting to read my kids essays about their ideas of the meaning of Christmas. It is nice to know that family is important to them, but I was hoping that the Birth of Our Lord and saviour would be foremost in their thoughts at Christmas time. As a family we try and focus on the true meaning of the season. We always start celebrating the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving. In my mind the one holiday leads into the next. As we focus on thanksgiving it so only natural to think of what Christ did for us. Yes, it is easy to think on the great sacrifice at the cross, but even before that Jesus left his place a the Father's side in heaven and came down to earth as a small infant. He lived a life of a man in order that he might carry the burden of sin for all mankind to the cross and conquer death on Easter morning. OK, I got of track there. So, we start our celebrating Friday after Thanksgiving, we have a fun day of decorating the house and putting up the tree. We set out my nativity collection on the fireplace and we start talking about the birth of Christ. Then the whole month of December we focus on family baking and preparation for the getting together with family and church. The kids work on songs, poems, plays, and spelling for the the festivities. There are church programs to participate in and of course a Christmas concert with HSMA.
On Christmas Eve, we get together with my family. We spend the day celebrating the Lord's birth with songs, plays, poems, and more. Grandma loves a big program, and Grandpa (being a pastor) loves to remind us all of Christ (always saying a lovely prayer of Thanksgiving). Of course, there is the family spelling bee and lots and lots of food shared. Then we open a few presents. When it is just dark enough we load up the vans and go Christmas light watching. Then it is time to head home to bed.
Christmas morning we gather around at home and Jer reads the story of Christ's birth from Luke.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Then we have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate as we open a few presents. No Santa comes to our house. This was a strange decision for Jer and I both. We both were raised with Santa coming. But, we are happy with our choice and it seems to not bother the kids in the least.
We enjoy the day just at home together.
Then we usually head to Indiana the following day to celebrate with Jer's family. This is an exciting time. Jer's mom is the ultimate in gift giving. It is definitely one of her Love languages, not Mine at all. So, she enjoys having presents to celebrate the holiday. Her house is small and it is full of presents from floor to ceiling for her many grand kids. Once all are passed out it isn't really too much, but it is so fun seeing this mountain of gifts and watching it be passed out. It is also fun watching my mother-in-law and sister-in-law because they really have a great time of it all.
Of course, we share a great meal together there too. So, it is easy to see why my kids say that Christmas is about family. I just hope they realize it is about the family of God.
On Christmas Eve, we get together with my family. We spend the day celebrating the Lord's birth with songs, plays, poems, and more. Grandma loves a big program, and Grandpa (being a pastor) loves to remind us all of Christ (always saying a lovely prayer of Thanksgiving). Of course, there is the family spelling bee and lots and lots of food shared. Then we open a few presents. When it is just dark enough we load up the vans and go Christmas light watching. Then it is time to head home to bed.
Christmas morning we gather around at home and Jer reads the story of Christ's birth from Luke.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Then we have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate as we open a few presents. No Santa comes to our house. This was a strange decision for Jer and I both. We both were raised with Santa coming. But, we are happy with our choice and it seems to not bother the kids in the least.
We enjoy the day just at home together.
Then we usually head to Indiana the following day to celebrate with Jer's family. This is an exciting time. Jer's mom is the ultimate in gift giving. It is definitely one of her Love languages, not Mine at all. So, she enjoys having presents to celebrate the holiday. Her house is small and it is full of presents from floor to ceiling for her many grand kids. Once all are passed out it isn't really too much, but it is so fun seeing this mountain of gifts and watching it be passed out. It is also fun watching my mother-in-law and sister-in-law because they really have a great time of it all.
Of course, we share a great meal together there too. So, it is easy to see why my kids say that Christmas is about family. I just hope they realize it is about the family of God.
What Christmas means to me
Christmas means to me spending time with all my family.
At home, my family has already set up the Christmas tree. It's my baby brother, Stephen's first Christmas. He likes to pull stuff of the tree. We have to watch on him. Every Christmas morning my dad reads in the Bible the true meaning of Christmas, about Jesus being born. Then we open presents. Last year we had to take turns going youngest to oldest.
On Christmas Eve we go to my grandma's house, and my aunt has a spelling bee. It's fun to spell.
Merry Chrismas
At home, my family has already set up the Christmas tree. It's my baby brother, Stephen's first Christmas. He likes to pull stuff of the tree. We have to watch on him. Every Christmas morning my dad reads in the Bible the true meaning of Christmas, about Jesus being born. Then we open presents. Last year we had to take turns going youngest to oldest.
On Christmas Eve we go to my grandma's house, and my aunt has a spelling bee. It's fun to spell.
Merry Chrismas
What I'm Thankful for
Here are some things I'm thankful for and why. I'm thankful for my family because they love me and take care of me. I'm thankful for music and school because its fun. I am thankful for a warm home because I have a place to live. I'm thankful for vehicles, so we can go places. I'm thankful for seasons so plants can grow. I'm thankful for food and water so we can stay alive. That's what I'm Thankful for this year.
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