God's Expectations

When we first moved to Georgia a lot things did not happen the way I expected them to, which caused a lot of hurt and disappointments on my part. During our first year in GA it took John longer to find a job than what we expected and that was one of the hardest years of our married life. I remember times of crying & crying & crying on my way to work and then once I got there putting on a mask as if nothing was wrong. Then our 2nd year came and we were able to become 1st time home owners, what a blessing! John now has a full time job that he likes and I have been able to restart my in home day care business. For the most part things have been good, not always great, but good. During this second year was when God started working on a heart issue of mine. We all have issues in our lives that God does not always make aware to us that we need to deal with or change until He is ready to walk us through them. Well, this was one of those. I have always been one that wants to grow in the Lord and be what He wants me to be. However, I don’t always realize that sometimes growing pains hurt and I mean deeply hurt.

Sarah at in the Midst of It posted about her daily schedule and just being honest about how normal life is and not having to be perfect to be a good mom, good Christian, and to be loved (ok so the being perfect part is my interpretation of what she wrote not necessarily what she said). This post reminded me that it is okay to be human and I don’t have to live up to certain expectations that I put on myself. This past year God has been teaching me that He is the perfect and wholly One and I only need to live up to His expectations and not the expectations of others. I have always been a people pleaser and worry about what others think or might say.

There have been certain people in my life that I have always tried to please no matter what. There have been certain expectations that I have tried to live up to and tried to be a certain type of person. In a lot of ways I don’t know who this person or people are that I have been trying to impress, live up to, and meet their expectations, but it sure has affected my life. God has been teaching me that He is the only one that I should be so concerned about what He thinks of me and not other people. I have said over and over again that you can’t please everyone and it only matters what God thinks. However, to live it and not just say it is another story. It has been very hurtful to let go of those expectations and live those words. I would not believe that to be true if I did not experience this past year.

I have had to let go of certain expectations and come to some realizations and it has been a painful part of this journey to be who God wants me to be.

Some new thoughts I have learned this past year are:
· I do not have to be just like anyone else
· I do not have to be organized
· I do not have to have a spotless house
· It is okay to watch some TV and to let my children watch some TV
· It is Okay to spend money on things that I like and want to have
· It is okay to be Betty
· I don’t have to be the most outgoing person for God to use for His purpose
· I don’t always have to know what to say in every situation

Some of these things I am still learning and still putting into practice. I know there are other things too that I’m not remember right now. In a lot of ways I am at the beginning of the journey of not worry about what others think, but I am confident that God is there with me and will walk me through every step of the way. There may still be more pain ahead of me, but I will walk on this journey with the Lord beside me and enjoy the blessings he gives me.

Thank you Sarah for reminding me that I am still loved, valued, and a good mom without having to be that “perfect mom” out there that gets up at 5:00am to run 5 miles in 25 min, have 2 separate devotional times, and to cook breakfast all before my kids wake up.

Until Later
~Betty~

A-Z of ME

I was tagged by Judi to do this and this is my very first tagged!

A - Available/Single? Nope, married
B - Best Friend? My Hubby
C- Cake or Pie? cake
D - Drink Of Choice? Mt. Dew
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? My toothbrush
F - Favorite Color? Blue
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears
H - Hometown? Cambridge, OH
I - Indulgence? Blogging
J - January Or February? January
K - Kids & Their Names? Bethany & Jody
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My family
M - Marriage Date? June 10, 1995
N- Number Of Siblings? 0
O - Oranges Or Apples? Oranges
P - Phobias/Fears? losing my family, and snakes
Q - Favorite Quote? It all depends on the attitude
R - Reason to Smile – being loved
S - Season? Spring
T - Tag Five People? Jenn, Alice, Cheri, Amanda, and Laura
U - Unknown Fact About Me? ???????
V - Vegetable you don’t like? Beets
W - Worst Habit? Mt Dew
X - X-rays You’ve Had? neck
Y - Your Favorite Food? Pizza
Z - Zodiac Sign? Leo

This was fun I hope you will play along

~Betty~

Weekend Reflections

We have had a good week visiting family and old friends. It was good to be back at our old church and visit with our friends. Here are the postive things that happened on our trip.

We had a safe trip to Ohio and no vehicle problems. We also made great time traveling and was able to watch the Ohio State game.

We were able to go out to eat with our Pastor and his wife, Kim. Pastor & I are big pizza fans, Kim is not and especially not for Sunday dinner. One time when we were still living in Lima a group of us were going to go to Pizza Hut after morning service. I invited Kim and she declined, because they had pizza over the weekend and Pizza Hut was not her idea of Sunday Dinner. After Kim declined Pastor walks by, not knowing Kim declined the offer, and asks were we are going and I replied Pizza Hut. Well, they ended up at Pizza Hut that day for Sunday Dinner and it has been an standing joke between Kim & I ever since. Now anytime we are in town we try to meet with Pastor and Kim and have dinner at Pizza Hut. Once again, because of schedules, we did it for Sunday dinner :).

I was able to visit with my best friend Pat. We have such a special relationship. We are not the same age. Our children are not the same ages. Our family lives and situations are not similar. Our marriages are not the same. However, we both are Christians and our heart's desire is to serve the Lord and to have all that He has for us. Therefore, our spirits connect and we can talk to each other just about anything - and we do! Pat is one person in my life that I can take my guard down and make myself very vulernable and let her know what is really going on in my heart. She does the same thing with me. When we were visiting together our husbands were joking with each other about when we get on the phone together they know their time with us in the evening is over and they lovingly say "good night see, you in the morning". :) What a blessing they are to be so patient with us. We sure do appericate it and my life is blessed by it.

It was so good to spend time with my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law, and my neices. We all had lunch together and then the ladies went out shopping. We also enjoyed playing cards together, which we don't do very often.

On Thanksgiving Day we all got together and had a good meal and a good time together :). There was very little frustrations with each other, which is always a good thing. For the most part everyone acted like adults and enjoyed themselves. Even the kids did not get into any arguments. Now that I think about it - Am I sure I was with the right family? lol :). It was a good day!

On Friday we did do a little shopping and was able to go eat at Texas Roadhouse, where John's brother, Josh is a manager. We had a good time visiting with him too. We were able to see Josh every day while we were at John's mom and it was good. My girls enjoyed spending time with him too.

It was good just to spend time at John's mom's house and be with her with no time pressures. The girls enjoyed being with grandma and asking her all kinds of questions. It was very comfortable and relaxing.

We had time to just relax and be causual. It was very nice. I also had time to reflect on how John & I have changed over the past 2 1/2 years while living in GA. There has been some hard times and hurtful moments, but I can see how God has used those times to help us grow in our walk with Him and for that I am grateful. I can see areas in my life that I am stronger now than I was 2 years ago. I am very thankful for my life, my family, and my relationship with Jesus Christ. He is my stronghold in life and am in love with Him!

If you would like to post a weekend reflection or to visit more go over and visit Judi, who I am also very thankful for. She is GREAT!

Until Later,
Betty

3:00 am Wake Up Call

When planning to leave home at 5:00am for a ten hour road trip, I try to get to bed early and get a good night sleep. Just like any good plan, I was behind schedule and did not get to bed as early as I wanted. However that should be okay since my husband would be driving most of the trip and I could be sleeping in the van. John went to bed before I did and all was well. Then 3:00am came. We noticed Jody, my 5 yr old, was in bed with us and just as John was about to tell her to go back to her own bed, she looked right at John and threw up all over our bed. So at 3 am John is doing laundry and I am scrubbing the floor where my daughter left a trail to the bathroom. (I tried to clean all the spots, but it was 3 am, therefore, not sure what it will look like when I get back home.)

We then went and slept in the living room and tried to get another hour of sleep in before we left for our trip. At this point I was not sure how the travel would go and how sick Jody really was. Well Jody slept until we left and then in the van (we let the girls travel in their pj's). She was not running a fever or did not have any more stomach problems the whole trip. We did not have another problem with her. lol :).

John & I just laugh at the situation and know it just goes to prove that Jody does have a mind of her own and will let everyone know. We keep saying Jody just did not want to go back to her room and was going to tell John before he could tell her differently. Boy, do we have our hands full. We just continue to laugh on this journey of being parents.

We ended up leaving the house 30 mins later than what we wanted, but still got to my mother - in - law's in time to watch the big game between OH & MI (GO BUCKS)!

We had a good week and I will post more about our vacation as the week goes on. We will be back home tomorrow.

Until Later,
Betty

Thursday 13

Here are 13 reasons why I am ready and excited to make our visit to Ohio!

1. John's family who I love is there and we all get to visit together.
2. I get to go shopping with my sister-in-law, my nieces, and my daughters. Instead of sending birthday gifts or money through the mail for the girls we all go shopping together when we are in town for Thanksgiving. My nieces get to pick out a birthday gift that I buy, then my girls pick out their birthday gifts and my sister-in-law buys theirs. This year we get to have lunch togeter too. While the women are doing this John and his brother go bowling and play pool.
3. My girls will have a chance to visit with their grandmother and I will too. It is usually such a relaxing time to just be at her house and chat and catch up on things.
4. We will get to visit with John's youngest brother and hopefully go to the resturant that he works at and enjoy the wonderful rolls.
5. I will get to visit with my friend Pat. Pat & I have a unique relationship. We are so different in so many ways, but when our hearts connect we make ourselves vulnerable and encourage each other in our spiritual journey.
6. We will get to go to our old church and see people that we love and miss.
7. We (hopefully) get to have lunch at Pizza Hut with our old Pastor & his wife Kim.
8. We are going out for Breakfast with John's best friend who lives in Wisconsin
9. We will go to my hometown of Cambridge and will get together with 2 of my cousin's who I have not seen for awhile
10. I will get to go to the church that I grew up in and see my old pastor and his wife.
11. We will have a chance to get away from our current jobs
12. I won't be responsible for any other children, but my own
13. I get to travel in our new van with just my family and spend time together talking and sharing our hearts.

We will leave early Saturday morning and won't get back until the following Sunday. I don't know if I will be able to post while I'm gone or not, but will try. I will at least try to visit other blogs and leave some comments.

Until Later,

~Betty~

Not Loosing Weight

Do you ever have those times when you know there are things in your life you know you need to work on and do differently, but you just don't seem to do them and you don't seem to be making any changes? I'm there right now!

I have been wanting to loose weight. I have checked out many different diet plans. I have researched and read examples of what others are doing and how things are working for them. I have made committments to myself that I will make it work. I have set realistic goals for myself. I know the health risks for not loosing weight. I don't want to diet, I want to make it a life style change. I have all this head knowledge of how to do it, I just can't seem to do it. Oh, I seem to do it for awhile and trying to be positive and saying this time is going to be different, but my behavior doesn't seem to change. It's like what Paul says in the Bible "I do what I do not want to do." I have the desire to want to change, it's just putting that into action that I'm struggling with.

I'm a little concern with the holidays coming. We are leaving this weekend to go to Ohio for the entire next week and I know my eating patterns with be way off schedule and different than what it is now. Therefore I'm feeling a little blah about it.

A few months ago I started reading Mel at The Amazing Shrinking Mom and have been very impressed reading her story and how she is loosing weight. It has encouraged me many times. I set a goal to loose a certain number of pounds by Thanksgiving and I am not even close to the goal. So I am having a discouraging moment right now.

I am still learning about nutrition, calories, protion size, healthy eating, and exersicing. I still want to loose weight and I will find something that works for me. I am just having a down time with this issue right now.

I'm hoping that just being able to express this on my blog will help me to feel better about the issue and will help me to more on and continue on my weightloss journey. Maybe I will make myself real vulnerable here and put a link on here to keep track of my progress. I will think about that and see how I can do that.

If anyone has been there or are currently feeling the same way, I'm always open for encouragement, suggestions, and ideas. Thanks!

Until Later,
Betty

Menu Plan Monday

It is that time again. Laura hosts Menu Plan Monday. This is the time when we plan our family's menu to help our weeks fo better. Over the past couple of months since I have been doing this it has been such a benifit to me in more than one way. I don't always stick to everything that I have panned and I do make some changes as I go along, but I'm still better off when I have a plan. So here is my plan for the week:

Monday

Lunch: Tacos

Snack:Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dinner: Homemade Pizza

Tuesday

Lunch: Philly Steaks

Snack: Pudding/ Jello

Dinner: Chicken Tosadas

Wednesday

Lunch: Hot Dogs

Snack: Corn Muffin

Dinner: Beef Stroganoff

Thursday

Lunch: Hamburgers

Snack: Garlic Rolls

Dinner: Fried Chicken (Hubby is cooking)

Friday

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets

Snack: Popcorn

Dinner: Roast

Saturday morning we leave for Ohio to visit family & friends for the next week and for Thanksgiving. I am so ready for our vacation and some time off.

To see more menus visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Until Later,

Betty

Weekend Reflections

Well it is time for Weekend Reflections. This is where each weekend I join my blogging friend Judi and I post at least three postive things that have happen in my life this week or three things that I am thankful for this week. Depending on how rough the week is sometimes this is hard. However, it always helps to think about the positive rather than the negative and that is why we do weekend reflections. So here are some positive things that happen on my journey in life this week:

1. I was able to spend some alone time at home while John took the girls for basketball & cheerleading evaluations
2. John & I both went to church on Wednesday night and on the drive home got to talk and make plans for our trip to Ohio next weekend
3. I have friends and blogging friends ( Cheri & Judi) that I have been able to share about the possiblity of not continuing doing Child Care in my home and getting their prayer support
4. I have been able to get to know Judi from Mommy to Two a little better through email
5. I have had a special time with the Lord this week
6. We had a good time going out for pizza on Friday with some people from church that we didn't know very well
7. My friends Alice & Sam came over on Saturday. Alice & I worked on making some Christmas gifts. I have never felt so comfortable about having people over to my house as I did tonight. I did not get stressed about my house, I just wanted to enjoy our time together and we did. We were able to share some of our same concerns and issues the Lord is working on with us.

Well this was my week. If you would like to view more weekend relfections or to post your own visit Judi at Mommy to Two.

Until Later,

Betty

Decision Time

Well, I'm at a decision point in my life. Currently, I do child care in my home. I have been doing this for a total of 6 years and I have enjoyed it. For several months I have been debating if I want to continue or not. As I was praying about it before and trying to figure out if God wanted me to continue or do something else I decided that I would continue until I started to loose some of the current kids I am watching now. Well this week one of the moms was talking to me and she was not real happy that I was taking a week off at Thanksgiving and a week off at Christmas time and still asking to be paid for the time off. I explained to her that I do not take much time off any other time of the year and this is the time we go to Ohio to visit family and friends. I have checked with other in home daycare centers in my area and a lot of them will charge for their vacation and time off. She seemed to understand that and said that was one reason why they chose me (I have watched her children for over a year now). She said if I was changing my policies concerning that, then they were going to look at putting the boys in a center based program. I told her I completely understand and that I could see how her boys would really benefit from that kind of environment and I truly mean that. Therefore, next Friday (the day before we leave for OH) will be their last day in my care. I feel Okay with that decision and about the time I am taking off - I NEED IT! As I reflect back on my decison to take the time off and ask to be paid for it, I do not regret that decision. Therefore, whatever consequences comes because of that decision I will accept.

Now I'm at the point of trying to decide if I should try to fill their opening or if I should take this as God's leading to look for another job. I just want to make the right decision and to do what's best for me & my family. I could make a good case for either decision. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

I am willing to do whatever God wants me to do. My deepest desire is to just be at home, taking care of only my own children, helping out at their school, helping at church, and taking care of the house. However, since that is not an option for me and if I was real honest and if I only had to consider myself - I would like to look for a job other than child care in my home. I'm trying to see if this is the best thing for my daughters. My husband is very supportive in whatever I want to do. I think he would prefer not to have the day care in our home any longer, but he will support my decision. Therefore, I am trying to pray this through and asking for God's wisdom and clear guidance. That is where I'm at this week on my journey. I am waiting to see what God opens up for me and my family.

Until Later,
Betty

PS.
I love how when you send an email out it becomes a post. Thanks Judi and Cheri

Organizational Update

Boy, is organizing my paperwork a bigger job than I expected. I have taken Laura's advice and I got a box to put the papers in that needs to be filed, a trash bag for trash, and a action file box. In some ways it is overwhelming, I didn't realize how much paper I had, but I am determined. I keep telling myself it will be worth it and I just keep at it a little at a time. I did have my desk cleaned off, but as I go through more papers it continues to pile up. Once I go through all my paperwork, then I will develop a system to maintain my paperwork. So I'm still on my way and working towards my goal.

Until Later,
Betty

30 Day Organizational Challenage

One of my home goals is to get organized, that is why I just love Laura at Organizing junkie. She is very encouraging and motivating and always wants to help people become a junkie like her :). She has given us a 30 Day Organizational Challenage. It is to organize one area or room in our house & post the before pictures on our blog. On December 6 we are to post the after pictures and share in everyone's success.

I am taking on this challenage and I need to organize my paperwork and office/ payroom area. I have always struggled with coming up with a system for my paper clutter and how to organize my bills and budget. So I am open to any ideas or suggestions you may have. Or if you wouldn't mind just share what works for you - that would be great. I am determined that I will find a system that works for me and that I can maintain it after I start it.

Along with my paperwork I want to organize my office that I also use as a playroom for my daycare kids. I am open to any ideas you may have to help me make this room work better to meet both of my needs. Here are my before pictures:

The pitcures just goes around the room and it is open in the middle of the room. Like I said if you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions please let me know. I will try to post on my progress. Wish me luck!

Until Later,

Betty

Menu Planning Monday

WOW! What a wonderful weekend I had. I went to a women's retreat on our church's district campgrounds and it was great! I will post about that later, but for now I wanted to post my Menu for this week.

Monday

Lunch: Hot Dogs, Broccoli, pineapple

Snack: Cherry Cobbler

Dinner: Beef Filets, Corn, Rolls

Tuesday

Lunch: Lasagna Hamburger Helper, Mixed veggies, Applesauce

Snack: Cheese Bun rolls

Dinner: Slow Cooked Ribs

Wednesday

Lunch: Meatballs, Corn, Apples

Snack: Bagels

Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday

Lunch: Grilled Cheese, peas & carrots, pineapple

Snack: Peanut Butter Bread

Dinner: Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Applesauce

Friday

Lunch: Chicken, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit

Snack: Popcorn

Dinner: Roast, mashed potatoes, carrots & onions

If you would like to visit more menu's please visit Laura's site at orgjunkie.

Until Later,

Betty

Weekend Reflections

This week has gone by fast. Maybe because it is a short week for me. I am going to a women's retreat this weekend with our church. I am looking forward to having some time away and spending time with God & some friends. I will not be around a computer until Sunday night, therefore I am posting my weekend reflections early.

As I am thinking over my week I can instantly think of some dissapointments this week and some not so wonderful moments. However that is not what this post is about. Sometimes we do have to consentrate on the good in our lives and that is what I'm doing this week. So here goes.

• I'm thankful for my husband and that we can share our feelings, good times, and our disappointments.


• I'm thankful for having a group of friends at church that we hang out with while being involved in different ministries.


• I'm thankful for blogging and some people I've met (read). My blog time has been a real blessing to me this week.


• I'm thankful for the meal this week that my family got to sit down and eat together. We have had an extra busy week - something going on every night. I'm also glad that is not a normal week.


• I'm also thankful for my church family here in GA and my church family back in OH.


• I'm thankful I will be able to go to OH in 2 weeks :).

I hope everyone is having a good week and a great weekend. Visit Judi at Mommy to Two to see more Weekend Reflections. I will be back on Monday for Menu Planning Monday.

Until Later,

Betty

Blog devotional Psalm 139

I have been thinking and praying about my blog, the purpose of it, the purpose for me, and my time visiting other blogs. I have decided that I want to use this to share & record more of my spiritual journey and how God is working in my life. I still plan to share my everyday life, but I want to share more details of what God is personally doing in me and journaling about that more. I want to share more scriptures, devotions, and prayer time. I want to share my journey to victory.
I have been emailing Judi from mommy to two about doing devotions and bible study & blogging and God is working on something. I will give me info as it is worked out. I have also emailed Bev at Blessed Beyond Measure about using a prayer time on my blog - coping her idea when she prays for different bloggers needs and praises. So as I make some changes I hope you will join me and feel blessed & encouraged.

God has been convicting me lately on being too relaxed on my Bible reading and devotions, which is one reason I want to make some changes with my blog. I want to use my blog time for prayer & devotion so that I can still enjoy my blog time, but also still spend time with God and being obedient to Him. Therefore, this morning I started reading some scripture and I want to share my thoughts on them and how God spoke to me.

My scripture reading today was Psalm 139
vs. 1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
What a security to know that the Lord knows me. I love it when my husband or friends make comments about how well they know me about cerain issues and they are right on track with the comment. However whenever I am misunderstood by people I respond by saying they just don't really know me like they think they do. That is not the case with God. He does know me.

vs. 3 says you are familiar with all my ways.
Wow!
In order for someone to be familar with someone's ways that means you have to spend time getting to know that person. How great it is that God wants to spend time and get to know me.

vs. 7 says Where can I go from you Spirit?
vs. 9b & 10 if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
How encouraging to know that I can not loose God's spirit. He will always guide me and hold me. You know I have days when it seems like things don't go right and I just want to know what to do and just to be loved and held. How wonderful it is that God is right there in those day ready to hold me fast.

vs. 11 & 12 says If I say,"surely the darkness will hid me and the light become night around me even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you.
I can't hide from God. Those days when I just want to be at home and crash and keep the world out He is still there with me.
As a child when they loose something it is hard to find it in the dark. When we loose our way or when we find ourselves in the dark God will make the night shine like the day. What an awesome God we serve.

My prayer for today is vs 32 - 24.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

I really do want to be all the Lord wants me to be. I need Him today. I want my heart to be right with Him.

What is your prayer for today? What scriptures are you currently reading? How is God working in your life?

Until Later,
Betty