Polish Pottery

Tuesday a friend and I went to Poland! It was a long, mostly beautiful drive. A good portion of our trip was through a portion of Germany called "Little Switzerland", just gorgous! It took us about 4 hrs to get to Poland a almost 5 to get home because of storms and road construction, and my issue of those stupid cement barriers and semi truck's (I just can't pass the trucks when those barriers are there). Anyways, we had a great time, a lot of shopping. Neither of us had slept well the night before. We'd had our trip cancelled twice, once because of a holiday and the next week because the friend who watched my boys, one of her girls had strep throat and obviously I wasn't willing for them to possibly get sick too.

Anyways, we both got lots of pottery! I got so so far 6 plates, saucers, and bowls that are all the same set. I have not decided if the next time I go back if I'm going to get another 6 of all those with the same exact pattern, get the same pattern by with blue or just get a whole different pattern all together of 6! I'll decide the next time I go! I got a pitcher that's about as close to the "typical" Polish Pottery look as I like. I'm not a big fan on the extremely busy look of the typical Polish pottery. I got a roaster that I really love, I love how even on the inside of it there's a flower pattern stamped (I don't think it's hand painted) around the edge. I love my butterfly one, and have thought about getting my other set of dishes in the butterfly pattern, which is definately unique and not the typical Pottery look! My ladel and spoon rest I just absolutely love. Being a girl who loves the Americana style I grabbed the huge Americana bowl too. I do really like Americana, although I like it more as a "splash" vs my whole home and kitchen! I figure it'll be great for those times I make fruit salad or a large salad to serve it in! We all need those really big bowls! Everything I got is also rated at a 1 or 2, which means it's safe to cook in (oven or stove top).

 

I never realized just how poor Poland as a country is. On our way there, they were doing some construction and we had to stop at a light you know how one side goes and then the other side. We had some young men come up wanting to wash my windows. I'd heard about them doing this and of course they want paid. I kept telling them no, they didn't take no for an answer and they washed them and I will say they did a great job. I gave them a 2 euro piece andthe guy on my side kept trying to tell me something, I'm just guessing that he wanted more money, but I rolled up my window and just prayed he'd leave, especially after I had said no not just with words, but with my hands gooing back and forth across my body and my head going back and forth. My friend was trying to find some euro's too (1 and 2 euro pieces) but she didn't have any. I don't know maybe he wanted some Polish money, but I didn't have any. (All the shops take Euro's and dollars so we didn't worry about getting any Polish money). That was about as "exciting" as things got! LOL

We got home about midnight. I was so happy to walk into my home. The boys went right to bed and I followed soon after! :)

 

Chad's Favorite Verse

Psalm 116:1-9

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; 

        he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me,

   I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me.

  the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:

 "Oh Lord, save me!"

The Lord gracious and righteous;

  our God is full of compassion.

The Lord protects the simplehearted;

   when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul,

   for the Lord has been good to you.

For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul

   from death,

 my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

 

I haven't read this verse and just let the words touch my heart. Chad loves this verse and it's so easy to see why. We fall down because of things we do ourselves, and God picks us up. He forgives us when we have broken his heart and his rules. He loves us, even when we don't love ourselves. He protects us, when we don't even know we need protecting. He's our father. He's our savior.

 

Today I needed to read this verse. I haven't talked to Chad in a couple days. He sent me an IM yesterday, but I didn't get it until late last night. Please keep him in your prayers.

I've been thinking about my journal. There are days I write in here not for me, but for others. People for the most part I don't know. I've found some wonderful people on here and feel I'm better because of them/you. What I have been thinking today as I read through others journals is that so many don't appear to be written for the author, but for others. I know I've been guilty of that, writing for other people instead of writing for me. Instead of really sharing what I want, because I never know how others will take it. Why do I need to be concerned with that? I shouldn't and I can't be. I can't say how different my journal is about to change, but I am going to start writing for me. Sharing my true feelings and thoughts. I am not out to offend or hurt anyone. I'm not out to debate my feelings or beliefs. I think my sidebar of me saying I'm a Christian states my beliefs right there. I'm a child of God. I believe the WHOLE bible. I do not think that I can just take the parts that I like and live by those. There's things in the bible that definately convict my heart and I have to start living by that as well. That's not easy and as a sinner it's something I do fight. I have to acknowledge that.

I will continue to share my family and the many ups and the few downs we go through. I will be sharing more of my heart here though. I haven't really done that. I will probably still remain some what reserved, because this is still a public journal and at this point I don't feel the need to go private. If you feel something I write is condemning you, all I can say is that maybe that's GOD. I can only say what I'll be writing and sharing will ultimately be about me and my thoughts and not aimed at anyone out here reading, unless stated before hand!

With that....I want to share my favorite bible verse

 

Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

 

How I love that verse. That was first shared with me when Jordyn was being treated at Walter Reed. Another mom had told me how it was her favorite verse and how it comforted her from the day her daughter was dx with leukemia. It talks about how God holds us close to him, he gathers the young, our children. He gently leads me. ME. He loves me, he loves parents and gently is leading us. He is our shephard and he gave us the awesome responsibility to guide and lead our children, which of course is to guide them to him. This verse gives me so much comfort. Over 7 yrs ago this verse was shared with me and I've loved it. About 3 yrs ago a friend of mine, Emily-Really Living
shared it with me again. It's my verse. When I feel lost, sad, in need of comfort...I read it. When I feel joy, I read it. I think every mother should read this verse, highlight it in her bible, write it down on paper, memorize it, tape it up on her mirrors, kitchen, make a book mark out of it, and read it daily...remind herself that she in not alone in this journey of parenting. God is leading us, those of us who have young! Isn't that just such a comfort? To know he understands we need that guidance, that help. He knows we need him.

Oh how I love my Jesus. He is precious and wonderful. He loves us.

God Bless

 

 

Lazy Parenting

I'm sick of this. I'm so tired of seeing people put their children at risk for various reasons, I'll start with what has me "hot" right now.

Carseats/booster seats. This is NOT the government trying to control parents, this is about child SAFETY and well the fact is there are parents out there that just do NOT have the common sense to understand the importantance of childseats and booster seats. Study after study have been done. I have a friend who's retired California Highway Patrol...she said she saw far too many children injured or killed because of inproper childseats or not having them in them when they should be. The facts are...8 yrs or 80 lbs and they should be in a booster seat. It may seem they're "too old" at 8 yrs old, sorry I just don't think keeping my children as safe as possible as an "age" issue. I don't care if other kids don't have to be in a bosster seat, etc. This is about their SAFETY. Seatbelts are tested on MEN 175 lb men on average....I don't know personally any 8 yr old or younger child who's as tall as the average man or 175 lbs...there for the seat belt is NOT going to fit them correctly.

So what has me so hot, obviously seeing children inproperly restrained. A friend of mine had her 3 yr old daughter just sitting in the seat without a booster seat. She was in her mom's vehicle on the autobahn (interstate, but a lot faster speeds). The younger sister had been pushed while we were at playmobil fun park yesterday and mom and little sis ended up spending the night at the hospital, and another friend drove mom's vehicle back along with the 2 children she was taking care of (she's a childcare provider). Her job ticks me off more about the fact that she did not have her daughter restrained correctly also. There is just no excuse, none. She also had a 5 yr old just sitting in the seat. Jacob's 5 and definately in a boster seat and will be until he's 8 yrs old or 80 lbs. I want him to be as safe as possible when in our van, call me crazy. I'm sorting out in my head how I'm going to talk to my friend about this issue. It IS going to come up.

I know my friend loves her children. I don't doubt that, but this is just unacceptable. Please pray for me as I approach this subject with her. Pray I stay calm.

Ok, I'm off to bed. Time to do my devotion and spend some quality time focusing on GOD and getting my heart and mind where it needs to be.

It's Hot

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Hot,Hot,Hot.  It's hot, I'm hot, the boys are hot....and Germany doesn't believe in A/C for some insane reason. I've lived in hotter, but being a girl who primarily grew up with Central Air almost her intire life, I'm feeling a little miserable here. I have seriously contemplated taking a cold shower, but reality is...I couldn't handle it.

Tomorrow our bible study group is going to Playmobil. It's in Nuernburg, so only about a half hour down the road. We were told to bring bathing suits, so I'm hoping to get good and wet and cooled off!

I know I shouldn't complain about the temps, at least I have fans for every single room. At least I have a shower and tub I could go get into and cool off in. At least I'm not in Iraq sweating in 110-130 temps, like my husband.

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I am thinking though that when this rain that's on it's way here (I can smell it) hits, I'm taking the boys out and we're going to enjoy the wonderful feeling of the cool rain falling on me! We all need to play in the rain sometimes, what better time to do so than when we're good and hot?!! At least with the storm the wind is picking up and it's starting to cool our apartment down!

Well, I better get our dinner made. We're doing it lazy tonight and I was a nice Mommy or bad, which ever way you deem it...tv dinner's. We rarely have them and both the boys asked and well although they have to cook in the oven, I don't have to stay in there!

I'll write another entry probably later tonight. Have some more serious things to talk about.

Father's Day

 

I think it's pretty obvious from this picture that I took on Easter while Chad was home for R&R how loved he is by our boys!

 

Jordyn wearing one of her Navy nurses hats at Walter Reed with Daddy

 

 

This is Jordyn being held by my dad and my mom's dad in the background....I never noticed that Grandpa has a goofy look on his face.

 

God's blessed me with a husband who's an amazing father. For those who use the excuse to why their husband or father's a poor dad....Chad is living proof that you don't have to have an "active" father or father figure in your life. His bio dad left when he was 6 months old. He always had his Grandpa in his life, but he isn't the person who raised him. As many issue's as I've had with my MIL, she did a great job raising Chad. She married a man who didn't treat her well after Chad's dad left and then she married her current husband when Chad was 13 or 14 and at that point Chad was running around with his friends more than he was at home and being influenced by his step-dad. He joined the Army when he was 18.

Chad didn't know what to do with Jordyn when she was born, but let me tell you, he fell in love with her and promised not to fail her and he never did her precious 2 yrs she was alive and he keeps her memory alive. He's been an amazing Father to our boys. I could not have asked for a better husband or a better father, no DADDY to my children. Being a good dad is a choice, if you want to be a good one, you can be...you just have to step up to the plate and do it. I Thank JESUS for the man Chad is...from being a Soldier to Husband, to Father. He's not perfect, none of us are, he loves us with all his heart and wants to do right by us and wants our boys to grow up to be Godly men....if they follow Chad's lead I have no doubt they'll be amazing Godly men and one day Father's themselves!

 

Happy Father's Dady to my honey!

I have a confession

I judge people. I don't even realize it at times. Today I was told I was judging a person and honestly still don't feel in my heart I was. I had responded to something this person wrote and mentioned what she had originally written in my response and got told off.

I know, oh how I know I judge others. This is definately a time I wasn't. She's made choices I personally don't agree with, but I've just prayed and prayed for this girl. She's been dealt some lousy blows lately and honestly my heart just hurts for her. I've sat here at my computer in the past crying for her. I was really,really taken back today when I read her response saying that I've judged her. I'm sitting here and maybe it's one of those moments where God takes us and shakes us. Maybe he's saying "watch your words, Christy, what what you type, you don't know how someone else is going to read it." That's probably the worst thing about the internet. No one can HEAR your emotion, your feelings, your tone when you write something. They can only read it in the tone that they've chosen in their head. I went back and read a few other thinngs I've written, when I originally responded to her, it was a double response to her and another person....so I wrote them and apologized in case I offended them some how too.

I worry quite often that someone will misinterrupt my tone. Often times I will reread what I've written to someone a few times before sending it, because I want to make sure my words can't be "misheard". I definately failed this time. I've sat here crying for the last 30 minutes feeling like mud. I know I can only apologize. I told her that she did misunderstand what I was writing and told her I was sorry if it sounded one way to her, when I meant it another way. Sometimes I HATE the internet.

So, with that...I'm making a goal for myself, to judge less, and pray more. I would like to as you to pray for me on this. It's something I do struggle with. I know I've judged very harshly some. This is something I HAVE to change. Who am I to judge? My goodness if any of you knew the sins I commit, you'd find it sad and disgusting how I judge others in my mind. I know none of us are perfect, and that only one person ever was and he died on a cross over 2,000 yrs ago.

 

"Jesus, please forgive me. Give me the wisdom and strength to be more like you. To love like you, to forgive like you. I am at your will, Lord. Let me walk in your steps, Lord. Let me looktowards you constantly. Lord I am unworthy of your love, yet you deemed me worthy. You forgave me, for the sins that I have commited. You love me despite myself, my sins, the ugliness that comes from me at times. Lord, thank you. THANK YOU Jesus."