This weekend was pretty fun! We decided to go down to Coos Bay to watch the Kentucky Derby with my family and just relax and catch up a bit. Asher did great! Well, the ride down wasn't so fun but once we were there everything went pretty smoothly. Asher had been having a few yucky diapers the 2 or 3 days before we left and he was being pretty cranky in the car. We had decided to take 101 instead of I-5 and Hwy 38 and we made it to Newport just fine. We stopped, ate an early dinner and let Asher run around for a bit. Then, about 20 minutes past Waldport, Asher was being so fussy and whiny and we couldn't figure it out. Asher threw up about 3 times in the car and luckily there was a small lookout to pull over to. It was a mess!!! Praise God I had brought some plastic shopping bags... I don't know why I did it! We cleaned it up in only about 15 minutes, changed and wiped down the kiddo, took the removable pad off the carseat and took off again. Asher seemed to feel a lot better! He mainly rested and looked out the window the rest of the drive so we decided to take the other route on the drive home!
We figure he must have been a little bit sick before we left and the windy roads in combination with that must have caused the vomiting. He's been great with all good diapers since. And he loved Grandma and Grandpa's house :-) He followed their dog (and Tracy's) all around the house, pet the kitties and practiced quite a few of his new words for my parents! It was so fun! He really started using the word "please" (peesh) a lot... once incident was so cute... he wanted some of Mark's pepsi so Mark gave him a sip... after about 2 or 3 seconds he would reach up and say "peesh"... he did this about 5 or 6 times... it was so cute!!!
We got home yesterday afternoon, I took a nap when Asher did, had some leftover ham soup for dinner and just hung out in the playroom until bedtime. It was relaxing, non-stressful and fun... a great weekend all in all.
That said, this morning I've been feeling odd. I don't have a big to-do list though there are a few minor things that could be done... plus I'm always tired so I figure I'll just take it easy and do a few things here and there. I'm reading a book called "Experiencing the Holy Spirit" by Andrew Murray and it's been pretty inspiring so far. God has really been speaking to Mark and I about the vanity of "things" lately. It's always been a strange thing for me b/c I can EASILY become engrossed with stuff... clothing, accessories, beauty supplies, money... just about anything pretty. This book has been a great challenge for me to consider where I am placing my trust and my hope. Is it in looking good? Having the ideal life? Being about doing what makes me feel good? I must admit, it isn't often in seeking what God has for me or living a life pleasing to Him. I mean, overall I always want that, but I just get so easily sidetracked! Here's a great quote from the book...
"Oh, that we understood better that nothing hampers us as much as secret reliance on ourselves."
This is so true for me! I spend a lot of time thinking of ways to "improve" my life, ways to earn more $$$ to be able to do the things I want and buy the stuff I think will make my situation better. I think I can take care of myself and forget that God really is the one who brings us all our supplies. He has an endless abundance of cash, food, clothing... EVERYTHING ON EARTH IS HIS. I need to sew this into my mind! I get distracted by how I look or what other people want from me. Instead of trusting the daily events to Him, I try to plan out how to make sure the day operates in a way that is comfortable to me. But I don't want to be this way. I want to be filled with His Spirit every day in a way that will bring joy to everyone I talk to, especially Mark, Asher and this new little one. I want to not worry about what needs to be done but to exert my energies on what I can do, when I can do it while relying on God for strength and means.
I'm so thankful for the women in my life who have helped me see these things. And friends who've advised me patiently knowing that I'd sooner or later see things more clearly. I'm trying to take some steps to keeping some of those material things from creeping in and taking over... I'm sure some people, maybe even some of you reading, would say it isn't necessary, and it may not be for you... or it may be that we've become so accustomed to "things being that way" that we forget the heart of many of those "things." I'm not going to preach about it or get detailed on the ways I am doing this, but I am going to encourage all of you to take a look at what fills up your day and why! Look at your mood and ask God to reveal why it may be the way it is. Discontentment is one of my biggest enemies and it comes down to the fact that I don't trust God they way I think I do.
One more thing, my mom gave me a small book for Mother's day that is absolutely wonderful! It's a REALLY quick read, I think it only took me just over an hour maybe. It's in the car with Mark at work though, so I'll have to give you the title and information about it later... but thanks mom!!! That book really got me thinking as well... I love you! And last but certainly not least... Mark bought me an ultrasound (insurance stuff is a long story) for Mother's Day so this Saturday we'll be finding out if we're having a girl or a boy!!!! I'm so excited!!! Hopefully I can make all the calls I need to in the afternoon so I'll be able to post it on here either Saturday night or Sunday... be checking on facebook too :-)
