Birthday Parties

Week two of nursery, and Olivia has already been invited to 3 birthday parties! Im thinking this could be quite pricey, depending on how many parties she is invited to over the course of her time at Church High.  I was able to get a really cute Cath Kidston purse and handbag for £10.50. So that takes care of one little gift.  I also got a stamp set and sticker book for another little girl, whose party is tomorrow.  One of the parties is a joint party, and I think we will have to miss that one.  Im really nervous about tomorrows party. It will be interesting how it goes and how the other mums are.  I am trying my hardest to build Olivia up and to support her during difficult times. I think friendships is going to be one of these areas. Olivia seems so shy and unsure of herself at times. At home she is so confident. As well, at church events. But in new surroundings she crumbles.  I need wisdom on how to support her through this!

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it

proverbs 22:6

I am deeply moved by these scriptures, as I sat praying for Olivia this morning. Last night she did not sleep well, and had a rough day yesterday. I was trying to put on Mary Poppins for her in the afternoon, but for some reason the apple tv wasn't working.  I had to go to the main computer to try and set it up, but while I was doing that, Beauty and the Beast accidentally turned on. It just happened to be on the part where the beast kills Gastov. Olivia started screaming her head off and before I realised what had happened, she saw a bit of it. Now, I dont know if that is why she didn't sleep last night, or that the adjustment to nursery has been hard. But whatever it is, I am concerned. When I dropped her off at nursery this morning, she looked sad. She wasn't the happy, responsive little girl I thought we had. It is almost as if her spirit has been broken. At 3, i dont believe any huge damage has been done. But I do believe it is something I need to be very aware of. Are we disciplining her correctly, are we training her in the way of the Lord? Are we loving her the way we should. All these are questions that are running through my mind right now. I want her to know God. Not just a sunday morning kinda way. But in a deep and intimate type of way. I want her to know that Jesus is real, and that He loves her. I want her to have wings, to fly above this hurtful world.  As I work on my celebrate recovery inventory, and look at my past hurts that have shaped who I am, i am increasingly aware of the hurts Olivia can be developing. Her fear of the hospital is one of them. I pray that God will help lead us as parents.  

Olivias 3rd Birthday invite

Wow, how fast time has flown by since my last post. I sit here, with a cup of cofee in my cowboy mug while Fae naps, and Liv is at nursery. I am completing my online shop as well so that I dont need to brave the shops with the kids this week. I am really basking in my thankfullness to God for what He has provided us! Chris started his new job today. He was very nervous, and although I wasnt very encouraging about his appearance before he left (something I really need help from the Lord with), he left confident in the job God had given him.  We are praying about moving to Franklin Tennessee. I am very nervous but excited about what the Lord may have in-store for us there. We are anxiously awaiting Chris' interview with the US government in London so he can get his visa. Then we will visit Franklin in May and see what God has in-store for us. He will have to open every door along the way, because we cannot do it without HIM! I was reading in my Bible today, proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead
surely to plenty
But those of everyone who is 
hasty, surely to poverty 

I am struck by these words. I just want to move NOW, but the Lord wants us to wait. Wait for HIS timing, HIS guiding, HIS opening of doors. Oh how hard that is. Just to WAIT! Yesterday I got completely overwhelmed. All I wanted was a dishwasher...I spend hours washing breakfast dishes, lunch dishes, dinner dishes...Im already tired just thinking of all those dishes! All I want is a home that doesn't have mold. That I dont have to hear the slamming of the front door all the time from church goers...the list can go on and on. But I must WAIT! And rejoice in the now. In the fact that we have somewhere warm to live...that we can run the heating as much as we want and not pay a dime. That we have a church family around us at all times that loves us. Wow, that is a blessing.

I am also reminded yet again of these verses, from Proverbs 21:9

Better to dwell in a corner of a 
housetop
Than in a house shared with a 
contentious woman.

And again in verse 19

Better to dwell in the
wilderness
Than with a contentious and
angry woman.

I think of that poor man, having to dwell in the wilderness, or on a rooftop...to have a better life, than in a nice warm house with a woman who is contentious and angry. God help me not to be that woman!

I am truly blessed by these times to reflect, to write, to read Gods word, while Fae naps and Liv is at nursery... at least for a Monday and Tuesday! Thank you Lord! Now I need to soak up all this wisdom from Proverbs and apply it to my life! And stop using my IPHONE all the time when the kids are around!

Faes birth announcement