New Year Resolution

Well I do need to lose the 10 pounds I gained at Christmas....but that is not going to be resolution this year! I so wish I was one of those people who could eat Panera for breakfast, PF Changs for lunch, and some trade off between mexican and Italian for dinner everyday....and still weigh 120 pounds. Lets just be honest, cake, french fries, lasagna, and root beer are SOOO much better than salads, beans, tofu, and water. It mean seriously it is a no brainer. Whoever denies it, is lying:) Oh, and exercise is not fun, nor will it ever be.  I however do see the benifits of a healthy lifestyle, no matter how painful it can be:) 

So anyways, back to my resolution. I am going to do a 365 project on my blog for 2010. I have seen this on someone else's blog and I thought I might give it a go. I have take a picture of something every day in 2010. I will post a blog with a picture from everyday, they just might not all be on that exact day. I am going to try and stay caught up, but occasionally I might be a week's worth of pictures up in one day.  I am excited about it. I think it will be neat to be able to go back and look through the changes that happen on in a years time. 

Keep me accountable! 

Do you have any resolutions for the upcoming year? 

annoyed

I am annoyed. I have been reading a lot of Christian books lately. Not fluffy ones, but the ones that really make your stomach hurt. Some of the content in the books makes me mad, some makes me sad, and yet some makes be joyful. I really do enjoy the challenge that they bring. I am sick and tired of being comfortable. It is just so annoying. I feel like the church has gotten comfortable at being comfortable. The life that Christ demands was never meant to be comfortable. It is a life of discipleship, servant hood, and obedience.

So many of the books, challenge some of my traditional beliefs of “Christianity.” That Christianity and conservationism might not go hand and hand. Does Jesus sit up on the throne and put his head in His hands on some of the things we are so dead set on being “of Him?”

 

It speaks of the “American Dream” of working hard, getting a good education, working hard again, to make more money, to buy more things and so forth…..not really being mentioned in scripture. Have we completely distorted God’s purpose for His people?  I promise I am not a socialist, and I realize it is impossible for a system like this work this side of heaven. But what would the world be like, if we all made the same amount of money? If no one was wealthy? And no one was poor? NO one was selfish? And no one was without? If we were all in a sense “equal.” Would this stop crime in its tracks? Well probably not, because at the end of the day we ALL are selfish. I just wonder.

 

One of my friend posted a link to a video about Christmas and the video said Americans spend 450 billion dollars annually on Christmas and 10 billon dollars would solve the world water problem. (I don’t have references on this…so I am not 100% of its validity.) But seriously, that is completely ridiculous. Christmas is about the celebration the Almighty, and even He came into this world in “lowly” conditions. How have we programmed ourselves to think over-consumerism is the answer? Wow. 

 

I am annoyed of the self-righteous and self absorbed attitudes that fringes upon my life and the lives of other Christians. I feel like it is hard to discuss some of the issues I have brought up, because people are afraid I am running away from fundamentals of  God. What if we are not always right? What if Satan has been brainwashing us all along? What if beyond the death and resurrection of Christ we have completely misunderstood God’s word? Are we too prideful to admit that our interpretation of the Bible is not inspired, but the intent of His heart is what is divine?

 

I feel conflicted. I feel if I decided to step out and seek God for who He really is, I will be judged by the church. But I also feel if I don’t seek His face, I am being unfaithful and complacent in my faith.

 

I desperately want to know and live for Jesus.  More than ever. It has to start with me, because that is the only heart I can control. And that has to be enough.

 

Craziness

I know I have been a HORRIBLE blogger lately. I promise to do better. I actually have a few "posts" floating around in my head, hopefully I will get the chance to sit down and actually write them up.

Anyways we have had a roller coaster of a month. It had been serious chaos in the Major household, but things are finally winding down.

Nov 30th- My parents left after Thanksgiving with Naomi and Gabby to head back to KY. I was incredibly nervous about letting them take the girls but it ended up being a great descion. (FYI- it took them 16 hours to get home...my poor parents!) 

Dec 1st- Matt checked out of the USS Wyoming and we headed up to Charleston. We stayed with Mike and Amy the first night because our heat was not turned on. We also went and bought a brand knew pretty refrigerator. 

Dec 2nd- Weighed our cars, unpacked cars, cleaned house.

Dec 4th- Movers came and delivered our 11,000 pounds of crap! They were done by 2:00 and we had a house full of boxes! 

Dec 5-6th- Cleaning, hanging up clothes, hanging pictures, making some new friends...and so on!

Dec 7th- Left about 6:00 am for Kentucky. We could not wait to see the girls:)

Dec 8th- Dec 26th- Visiting family/ friends in Kentucky. Matt started getting board with "nothing" do about day 7 of our visit.  We loved being able to really relax and enjoy this Christmas with our families. 

Dec 27th- Packed up our car with our almost month of clothes and all of our Christmas stuff and headed back to Charleston. The girls had never even slept in our new house so we were anxious to get home and so them around. They also had bikes waiting in the living room for them when they got home. They were SOOO excited! 

Dec 28th- Unpacked some of the boxes we still had from moving in, cleaned and relaxed.

Dec 29th- Went to the air force base commissary for the first time. It was HUGE and crowded.

Dec 30th-  Clothes from Ky are still in suitcases:) 

Here is picture of a last minute angel addition for the Christmas play at our home church. She only lasted about 2 minutes longer after this picture:) Oh well, she was cute! 

here comes trouble...

OLD

My top five reasons that I now classify myself as OLD... (in no particular order!)

1. I have no idea what to talk to teenagers about. I have completely lost my coolness when it comes to communicating with high school kids. I used to think I would always be that cool adult, now I realize that is only what lame people believe:) But no really, Matt's 16 year old cousin Jacob stayed the night last night at Matt's parents...I had no idea what to say:)

2. Time goes by really fast. I can not believe that Naomi will be 4 years old in Feb. It is pure craziness. I remember as a kid being extremely sad the day after Christmas. It was almost depressing knowing how long I had to wait until next Christmas. Now, I just want to push pause. I don't really want to turn 30, and I don't want my kids to grow up:(

3. I questioned my sister about what age is it inadvisable to shop at "trendy/teeny-bopper" stores. We went to the Gap Clearance Store the other day (which I don't consider Gap in my category) but we also stopped at H&M on the way home. The clothes were super cute but I also noticed Matt's mom was not really looking at them. I realized there will be day where I should not be wearing those kind of clothes anymore. Is that day now? 

4. My post baby body is funky. And I can't eat fast food for every meal anymore. So annoying. 

5. This last one is mildly embarrassing. I broke down and bought a pair of higher waist jeans. I know, I am so ashamed. I was just tired of my butt hanging out of the back of my pants. 

I Heart faces- Sweet Dreams

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is "Sweet Dreams." I immediately thought of this picture from our recent trip to Disney World. Our youngest was eating her lollipop and was trying so hard to stay awake. She just could not make it:) Meeting all the princesses was just too much for her! 

Head on over the website to check out all of the other awesome photos!

I heart faces-Sun Flare

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is sun flare. I love this theme and I love this shot of our youngest daughter "stealing" bread from the ducks we were supposed to be feeding. What can I say, she has a love affair with food:)

Head on over to the website to check out some of the other bright photos!

Our new house!

Here are a few pictures of the house we will be renting in Charleston. I know I have been blogging like crazy today. The real reason I wanted to put these up is because I figured out a much faster way on how to make cool layouts for uploading pictures:) 

I can hardly believe we are done with the Wyoming. We have been here for so long I can hardly imagine us anywhere else. As grateful as I am to be done with this stage, I am truly going to miss this sight. Submarine might some of the coolest inventions ever and I know as hard as life can be underway Matt will really miss the "feeling" you get from standing on the top of  billion dollar machine.

I didn't take this pictures because the girls and I didn't make it down there this time. Our Captain's wife was kind enough to send me a few pics of Matt's last coming home on the Wyoming.

Bittersweet:( 

Typical:)

I HEART FACES- Autumn Beauty!

This week at iheartfaces the theme is Autumn Beauty. I absolutly LOVE fall. It is probably my favorite season. Unfortunately we live in southeast GA and we don't really get the "traditional fall colors" until much later or at all. I love the warmer temps down here but I miss good ole' Kentucky seasons.  

Head on over to the website to check out all the other beautiful photos. 

Tent fun with daddy!

The girls absolutely LOVE to build tents, especially with daddy. This tent was built in our room off the bottom of our bed. They also got to "camp out" under the tent and eat popcorn and chocolate. (Gabby is chopping down on some chocolate in the picture.)

 

Halloween...12 days later:)

Here are some pics of our super cute dalmatians on Halloween (and other Halloween festivities!)

My baby girls are not really babies anymore:(

Disney Slide Show

I was too lazy to edit our pictures from Disney:)  They still turned out pretty cute. 

WOW

I was driving home from picking Naomi up from school today (which deserves a whole separate post on its own) and the girls were fighting and screaming. After many failed attempts and one car stop to make them stop being ridiculous, I finally did the only other logical thing and turned up my new David Crowder CD to a "blaring" level. I could still hear the girls, but it definitely tuned them out. As I was listening to the words, I suddenly "almost" audibly heard...

"HOW CAN YOU EVER EXPECT THEM TO OBEY IF YOU DON'T OBEY?"

Wow. Talk about a hit in the gut.

"HOW WILL THEY EVER LEARN TO LIVE LIFE INTENTLY FOCUSED ON ME ALONE IF YOU DON'T?

"HOW CAN THEY LEARN UNSELFISHNESS IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE IT?"

Precious Jesus, take my life and lead me. Pull away the ugly layers of self-righteousness. Mold me into the wife and mother that honors you in all I do. Pour passion into my life and rid me of all my complacency. You alone are worthy of praise. 

I heart faces- Pink Week

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is "Pink," for breast cancer awareness. 

Head on over to the website to check out all of the other PINK photos.

Seriously...Can you say cuteness?

My new obsession...

refinishing furniture...

This used to be a hunter green on the bottom (which if you look close I actually forgot to paint the underneath side...oops) and a light wood color on top. I LOVE the way it turned out. The girls are actually really good about putting their shoes up when we come home. 

God is Good!

Beyond the fact that I don't feel very well today and I can hardly speak...today has been a great day!

We didn't go to church because I woke up with no voice and I pretty much laid in bed all day. The girls were perfect angels for me. They watched the movie "Bolt," colored, played play-dough, and took care of mommy. I did end up taking them to church tonight for their Awana class. Naomi had a little fit when I tried to leave her, but after about 15 minutes she got over it. I got to come home and get a shower and then picked them back up.

When I picked them, Naomi told me she got to be the helper and then we had this conversation:

Naomi: "Mommy, did you know that God can make something out of nothing?" (She emphasized the words in italics). 

Me: "That is right honey. Did you learn that at church?"

 

Naomi: "And mommy, if God wants to he can say to that light turn off, and that light turn on." You can't even do that mommy."

Me:" Naomi, that is so true. God can do anything, anytime He wants. Mommy can only do what God does through me. God is so much bigger than mommy and daddy."

Naomi: " Gabby, did you know God can make something out of nothing?"

Gabby: "Godib mkdjer meiwoer myeiorur dkseriorf fiemim" Translated: "So do you think He can make donuts out of the peas mommy tries to get us to eat?" 

Conversations like this, just melt my heart. 

And so do pictures like these....

Weary

The best word to describe me right now. 

I am weary. I am exhausted. I am tired. I am lonely. And I am bored. 

I miss my husband, my other half, my best friend,  my source of adult conversation, and the love of my life. 

I love my children. They are fun, spontaneous, beautiful, hilarious, kind, caring, and adventurous. But they are also, persistent, dramatic, missing their daddy, whiny, exhausting, and needy. 

Kids are hard work, and even harder when raising them in "single mom mode." I know that I don't have to work outside the home so I really know nothing about being a true "single mom." But I figure at least real single moms could choose to live close to their families if they wanted. 

I really try not to allow myself throw pity parties. I honestly put on my armour when Matt is gone and I don't allow weakness. If I let it in, then I would just be a wreck. The girls can not have two absent parents. 

Today, however, I had my one day of "loosing my cool." The girls have been pretty "needy" lately. Well that is the understatement of the century. Naomi and Gabby started school this week, and that has been rough. Naomi screams and pulls my clothes. She acts like she is seriously going to die if I live her at school. It is so frustrating. I am trying to be super patient with them because I know they are missing their daddy too but I just don't know what to do. I have attemped bribery and stern discipline and nothing seems to matter. She eventually gets over it and stays at school. I just have to let her teacher pry her out of my hands. I don't know what I am going to do once she is Kindergarten. Beyond all the school issues both the girls are crying about everything. Today at Wal-mart Naomi had to go potty, so then Gabby had to potty, and she had to go first or she Freaks out. Gabby sat there for 3 min and wouldn't go and then I had to let Naomi go.......

then the craziness began....Gabby freaking out....wanting to potty....back on potty...doing nothing....took her off....pulled up clothes....freaking out.....out of bathroom...everyone staring....screaming flailing Gabby.....wanting to go potty....back to other bathroom...try to take her pants down....Gabs freaks out....I put her on potty....Freaking out and almost falls off potty....doesn't want to go potty....Naomi and I sit down on bathroom floor and watch as Gabby continues this ordeal for the next 4 minutes......FINALLY OVER! Then I pick up Gabby and walk out holding her on my shoulder and someone has the nerve to ask me, "Oh she MUST be tired, is it nap time?" Seriously. ??? Actually she is not tired, she slept 12 hours last night and doesn't take a nap for another 2 hours. I think I know better than to take a tired kid to Wal-mart. UGHH! So annoying.  

And on and on our days goes....

Today right before naps, the tears came. Well, more like sobs.  I was just so exhausted and the girls demand my attention 110% of the day. They even fight over who can talk to me first. The both will grab my face and turn it toward them.  My spiritual life (with lack of a better word) has sucked lately. I am just not getting enough Jesus in my day. I feel the effects. It is just so hard. By the end of the day, I am mentally and physically drained. I want to sit and not think, and sleep. I know there is no room in the body of Christ for excuses, or complaining. This is our life, and I knew it when I married Matt. It still doesn't make it any easier. 

²⁸"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11: 28-30

I must continue to cling to the words of Jesus. 

PS. That was even exhausting to write out. I need to go to bed. 

I Heart Faces- Blue

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is BLUE. There has to be some shade of blue in the photo. This is a picture of one of my closest friends little boy when he was about 8 weeks old. I just love this picture and the feeling you get from it. He is just soaking in the sun. Love him:)

Head on over to the website to see some more BLUE photos.

Alphabet Soup Letter "H"

It has been way too long since I did my last alphabet soup post....so here it goes!

Some of our favorite things that begin with the letter H.

1. Heaven- Obviously I have not been there yet, but I am sure it will be super fantastic. I LOVE my life, my family, and this earth but I also long for a world far greater than this one, where sin and evil no longer exist.

2. Hugs-Whenever Naomi asks for something that she knows she shouldn't, she always changes her mind at the last second and says, "I just want a hug." Now that is something I can always give:)

3. Hand Soap-Bath and Body works. I am really not into lotions/perfumes/candles or the like but I do love the hand soap. The lemon scent is my favorite.

4. Harman-This was my great grandfather's first name (spelled Harmon). He died in his late twenties.  Now it is our Gabs middle name.

5. History -I am definitely not a history buff but over the last few years I have at least attempted to learn some basic American history. I thought he was great at the time but now realize I had a horrible US history teacher in high school. I am still playing catch up. I also love the rich history of the Old Testament. 

6. Hazelnut flavor- coffee, creamer, cream cheese from Panera (+ a cinnamon crunch bagel) ....I am drooling thinking about it all.

7. Home-I am turning into a hermit. I love being home. Naomi is 10 time worse. She would never go anywhere if I didn't make her.

8. Heart- Not in the mushy, emotional, I love you side (even though that is great too), but the actual organ. I LOVE the heart. If I ever decided to be a doctor (which I wouldn't) I would go into cardiology. I think it is just fascinating. 

What are your favorite things that begin with the letter "H"? 

I Heart Faces- CANDID!

This week over at iheartfaces the theme is "Completely Candid." I have quite a few candid shots since my girls never sit still. I am always chasing them around with the camera:)  

Here is one of my girl running around like crazy at the park! 

Head on over to the website to check out all of the other awesome entries! 

Today...

The GOOD 

-I got to sleep until almost 8:30 (although I did get woken up at 3:00 am last night for some "juice")

-I got to meet Balian Jones today, son of Pam and Neil(the newest baby in our Bible study group...he is a cutie!)

-The girls colored for almost 2 hours today and they played "babies" in Gabs room for almost an hour.

-UK beat Louisville making us 2-0!

-We went to the park downtown tonight and it was beautiful. Gabby had no accidents the whole time (for almost 2 hours!), and she was wearing big girl panties! 

The BAD

-Gabby did have two accidents today. One in the car on the way home from Wal-mart and one while trying to get her pants down to get on the potty. I was a little disappointed, but I know I just have to be patient. She had went almost 2 days without one:)

-UK almost DIDN'T win.

-I ate way to much junk today.

-My house is still a wreck.

-And my car is even worse. (Although I think messy cars are genetic.)

-I have no idea where we are going to live and I am also realizing that the rent is higher than I thought it would be in the places I like.

The UGLY

-UK had 3 turnovers in the 3rd quarter. I thought I was going to be sick!

-While we were at the park tonight I got the girls some ice cream cones. They LOVED them but Gabs loved it a little too much. She might as well had just jumped in a big bowl of melted chocolate ice cream. People were laughing at her because she was SOOO messy.

-THE WORST-I had to kill this disgusting roach like bug in the garage tonight. It was so huge I knew as soon as I put the shoe on it, it would make that crunchy noise. YUCK! 

Well anyways, on to more important matters....here is a picture of Naomi, BFF Ryker, and Gabby from a few days ago. They were playing dress up, and yes Ryker is in a pink dress. Don't worry he is very confident in his manhood:) 

They are such goobers:) 

Friends in KY