My latest indulgence

This could really list a number of my latest indulgences (ok, besides the usual, chocolate). Any way, I've found something new just for me. I have found that massages really help me and so I have committed to give them a try 2 times a month. Nothing extreme or overly spendy, however, something that for me is TOTALLY worth it! I know, massages have been around for awhile and have been promoted due to their benefits, but until recently I didn't feel like they were something I should spend my money on. I've changed my mind. For someone like me, with lots of stress and pain carried in my neck and shoulders, this is something that helps me out and I look forward to it. I think in order to care for my husband, kids and those around me I have to do a better job of taking care of me, physically. Just had another one today. I can feel the difference already. How relaxing!
Another indulgence? Facebook. Still figuring that one out, but maybe I'll understand it soon. A friend invited me and I figure I'd give it a try. We'll see how it works out.

The love of reading

Even as a child, I think I was a pretty good reader. I remember loving to read since just about forever. I can fondly recall sitting curled up with a book and preferring that to many other activities. My parents must have instilled something in me early on to foster this, although my mom would probably say it was not from her (she can't stand to read!!). Any way, although these days my reading time is VERY limited, I still love to do it when I can. Most of my reading these days is spent with more "educational" reading, rather than leisurely reading. I'm a mom. I feel like I've got lots to read about and learn on parenting, homeschooling, etc. etc.

Any way, we have always tried to foster a love for reading with our own kids since they were very small by incorporating it throughout the day and especially at bedtime. So, after my daughter turned 5 I started to wonder how I could help her learn to read and love reading. Even before the new year I would say that she wasn't overly thrilled with phonics, although she was pretty good at sounding letters and words out. I decided to take my time with her and not "push" reading so that she would turn against it. We tried the book, "Teaching your child to read in 100 easy lessons". At first, she liked it, but then easily turned against it. So, I did some research and looking online and found a series of books called the "BOB books" that are written by Bobby Lynn Maslen. I decided to take the plunge and purchase all 5 sets (each set contains 10 little books) I am so glad I did! My daughter LOVES them!! Why? It doesn't leave any room for her to "fail" or become frustrated. With the first book, she could easily read it and proudly say that she had read a book! That's pretty exciting for a 5 yr. old! We take the time a few times a week to sit down and read the next book in the set. They are short, but yet cover all the basics and keep encouraging her along in her reading journey. I would highly encourage them to parents who have taught their kids phonics,letter recognition and sounds and are ready to start on the path of reading.

Hopefully, one day she'll remember these books as the ones that gave her a love of reading.

The sound of children....

While the weather here has been in limbo between winter and spring lately, the "spring itch" seems to be hitting those of us here in the house day after day. After suffering from numerous colds, coughs, flu and everything in between this winter, let's say we all need some time to run around outside! As I was contemplating this and regretting another cold, blustery day last week, I stopped for a moment and listened. What I heard weren't the usual voices of childhood rivalry or those declarations of "I was playing with that first" or "Mom,(brother)or (sister) took my..." In the quietness of my kitchen I stood and listened to the little voices of my kids playing...together. They were downstairs in one of their imaginative play modes where every toy spoke and every object became something else. I couldn't help but feel proud as I listened and heard my little children interacting, learning, socializing and having fun together as brother and sister. Moments later,they were both re-enacting scenes from one of their favorite movies (right now any way), Thomas and the Magic Railroad. They were accurately reciting back and forth line after line of dialog. What amazing kids! What an amazing moment. It was one to cherish and enjoy as I realized how glad I am to be a mom. And to hear the sounds of children. My children.

A Look Inside

Ok, to say that this is long overdue would be an understatement. When I started this blog I figured it would be a place to quickly type out the latest thought on my mind or something I want to share. So, I am hoping to start fresh and renew my commitment to do just that. Not that I always have so much to share, sometimes it may serve as a place to share what I cannot verbalize.
So, what I wonder is what happens to someone who is given no better reason (after 1 1/2 yrs.) for not conceiving another child other than "unexplained infertility"? And where are the other women like me who must endure "secondary infertility" (women who have conceived and had children in the past and struggle with conceiving again or may not be able to have any more children)? I have decided that although this may not be an important subject to very many people and also tends to send most out of their comfort level, there must be a reason that God has chosen me (and my husband) to go down this dark and lonely road. Do I want someone to feel sorry for me? No, that's not my desire. Compassion? Understanding? I think so. A little of that could go a long way sometime. Rather than having someone dismiss it and use excuses to cover it up ("you're young, you'll have more someday", "your kids are young yet" or "you've got plenty of time"), sometimes a thoughtful prayer goes a long way.
But don't worry, this whole thing has provided me with something. A Look Inside. Yep, a better chance to draw closer to God, my husband and my kids by taking a better look inside. An affirmation of faith, renewed love and greater hope. Easy? Most days, no. I do keep trying though every day.

New Year Awakening

Well, here we are in 2008. Somehow it's hard for me to believe that 2007 is already in the past. You see, I love the Christmas season and all that it brings. So, with the new year comes the task of packing away Christmas decorations and embarking on an unknown new year. It's a wonderful awakening in many ways as I begin fresh with new commitments and new optimism. However, I am not one for making resolutions. Never have been. I tend to just glide through the year occassionally making new resolves maybe for eating healthier, exercising more often, becoming more patient or trying harder to be a better person. Somehow after making these new resolves I am reminded of even more things I could work on harder and tend to get discouraged. So, I just work on being the best person I can be and do what I can for today. You know why? Because tomorrow will come with its own challenges and I will find plenty of other things I need to work on. I don't mind though since each day, each year is a journey. A time of growth and change. Neither is always easy, but both can be very rewarding.

My Hopeful Heart

You know how there are so many things in life that seem to reveal themselves to you over time? That was the case when I was searching for just the right name for my blog. Over the last months the "Delight in the Lord"...scripture has been popping up in so many places (we're talking in magazines, signs in stores, cards, etc. I mean, not the ordinary places you'd expect that verse to be.) and has become my verse on which to reflect. I was thinking that it held so much meaning for me during these last months as we approached the 1 year trying period for baby #3 (we are now embarking on month 16). I have been trying to figure out how in my daily life I have become forgetful in thanking God for all He provides for me. At times I have become so focused/stressed about not having another child that I may have even neglected to see what my other two children are currently learning and the stages and changes they are going through. It has been just recently though that the word "hope" seems to also have become important to me. It occurred to me now that although there are days that I struggle with the lack of answers medically as to why we have not been able to conceive another child, I still have hope. Hope. What a wonderful thing. I firmly believe that I have been given a hopeful heart for a reason.

And So It Begins....

Blogging. What an idea! For me this is mostly for personal reasons...to share my thoughts, but also to set aside the time to do just that. A journal of sorts. This has been on my mind for a number of months now as I have journeyed with others as they enter their own thoughts and ideas on their sites. I have enjoyed what they have had to share and have learned so much from them. I do indeed have a lot to learn yet though, so I will have lots to share as I continue to do that and to just live life.
My yearning for this place to come to has mostly come from the above scripture verse that has been revealing itself to me for months now repeatedly. I am still trying to figure out how to daily "delight in the Lord" and it is that journey that I have wanted to share here.
The "desire of my heart"? It is for my husband and I to have another child (more details on that later).
So, it is With A Hopeful Heart that I come here to continue my journey in Delighting in the Lord.
Please Join Me.