Just a Blink | Page 2

Family Fun

By Jessica | May 27, 2009

I can have fun again! Second Trimester Bliss!!

I have to eat every two hours and need to sleep often. I able to do fun things again after months of blah-t-blah morning-noon-night sickness. Whatever, I am still gaggy but I am so much better than my first trimester.

I took the kids to a local historical farm celebration. Ryan entered into a pie eating contest, rode a pony and collected “play” chicken eggs. Molly pumped water from a well, obsessed over the baby bunnies and hung unto my shirt tightly on the wagon hay-ride.

Over Memorial weekend Peter and I took the kids geo-caching for the first time. We went to Hudson, WI and discovered 3 “treasure boxes” to trade trinkets and sign our names. We liked it so much, I think we’ll start a new hobby!

Posted in Really...Continue | Tagged family fun, farm, geo-cache | Leave a comment

Dreaming vs. Doing

By Jessica | May 22, 2009

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, simplicity isn’t simple. It’s complex.

Or maybe I am complex.

I can whittle away time, minutes which turn into years, dreaming of this and designing that.

Planing for a simple life takes energy, focus and endurance.

Some things I’ve done to get shifting from dreaming to doing:

I bought a wall plaque that says LIVE SIMPLY for one dollar at a garage sale.
I thinned out my list of blogs that I read. I unsubscribed to 3 blogs related to “Simple Living”. (ironic I know)
I cleared off all the clutter on top of my refrigerator .
I reached out and asked for help! Simple living doesn’t have to be done alone. (more to come on this topic)

So while I will never give up dreaming (my favorite hobby) I do intend to involve a lot more doing into my life!

iPhone capture from Mother’s Day. Of course, Daddy is getting all the love!

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MOPS Year Complete

By Jessica | May 15, 2009

The Adventures in Mothering - MOPS 2008-09 Theme

Today marked my last day as a Mothers of Preschoolers steering team member. It has been 5 adventurous years people.

The MOPS group at my church allowed me to serve in many roles. I have both adored and grumbled through some of my responsibilities as a leader. One thing is for sure, I will never forget the years spend planning with other willing moms and praying my heart out for every new member.

2 years - Creative Activities Coordinator

2 years- Co-Coordinator

1 year- Publicity

I am taking a step back to allow some pretty amazing moms to step up into leadership behind me. I am thrilled to watch the new team thrive and follow God in their preparations and execution of the MOPS program.

Tea and Testimony

Another MOPS year comes to a close. To mark and celebrate the end of the MOPS session my group hosts a Tea and Testimony meeting. Yes, we were fancy hats and use real teacups. But more importantly we highlight how God has been seen or how He has held us over the last year.

Neat Pete came out to the last steering team meeting (leaders) to video a Cardboard Testimony. Thanks honey!

We play the following video during the Tea and Testimony this morning to illustrate some of our struggles/traits before knowing Jesus and to highlight our lives after knowing Him.

Of course, I cried. (I cry everyday now with these hormones! I almost cried at the Subway sandwich artist for rushing me the other day…but that’s a different story.)

I am featured as the last mom in the line-up.

Posted in By Definition, Heart for Art, Really...Continue | 3 Comments

I Killed a Mailbox Today

By Jessica | May 14, 2009

If it happened to anyone else it would have been funny.

The last thing I remember saying was “Can’t everyone just be quiet!”

The last thing I remember doing turning my eyes off the road to fiddle around in the back seat.

Next, I felt the curb.

I jerked up my head just in time to swerve into my neighbors lawn, avoiding a huge head on crash with the mailbox.

I did not jerk my head up just in time, however, to miss the mailbox completely. Darn.

My white Jeep bucked the 20 person association-style lock-port mailbox like a cartoon anvil.

Seriously, it would have been comical, if say, I was watching it on YouTube. But, no, it was me in real life…scared and crying.

The implications are overwhelming.

What if someone had been checking their mail? Sigh…. What if the kids had been hurt? How am going to pay for this? What if someone had been there, a kid, a dog, another car. What if, what if????

The police came and filled out a report. My neighbor comforted me while my nerves settled down. My husband sighed deeper than I have ever heard anyone sigh in my life.

My son, 4 years old, gave me a driving lesson,

“Just drive around things that are not in the road, drive straight from now on.”

Thankfully, nobody was hurt except my checkbook and my dignity. I have been thanking God all day for the mercy in the situation. No one was checking their mail, no one.

Fearfully Focused,

Messy Jess

PS Yes, Mom I will keep my eye on the road from now on, I promise, not even to look at my flip flop.

Posted in Really...Continue | Tagged mailbox | 4 Comments

Blinking Once Again

By Jessica | May 13, 2009

Standing Still While Speeding

My life is hurdling by, at a rate that is most typical. (at least to a young family with two kids and two on the way)

Long days that push my strength limits.

Longer nights that pull at my eye lids.

Fast weeks that provide much change or little change at all.

Motor months that feel like a splash of yearly repeated Holidays.

Blink-able years.

So yes, I do try and take it all in, blink by blink it goes on. All the while trying to figure out what “it all” really is anyway.

I would like to remember the endless knock-knock jokes, the ou-wies shown with pride, the yelling, the cuddling, the everything the “it all” means.

I would like to remember the feeling of being held by a loving God during laundry mountains, financial pressures, morning sickness, and sibling issues in my children and this-house-is-too-small agreements with my beloved Neat Pete.

Things will be different. Places will change. Priorities will shift.

My naturally brunette hair will be a distant memory.

My desire for alone time will be met and feel incredibly quiet.

My heart will be consumed as I balance my time taking care of my grand babies and aging parents.

But while I can, I embrace the moment {Just a blink. Just a breath. Just a stitch.} knowing I am living in tomorrow’s memories.

It’s amazing what a neighborhood drainage ditch can be to anyone with an imagination.

Love,

Messy Jessy

PS The twins are at 14 weeks and I am starting to turn a corner in my all-day sickness. yes! Though I am continuing my Unisom and B6 treatment for now. Thanks for those of you that inquired!