Trying to be like my husband

On Wed. of last week, we celebrated Ash Wednesday at church. As we began preparing our hearts and minds for the lent season, my husband asked what I would be giving up this year. Usually I look at my life and pick something that I could give up without too much physical/mental bearing. I've done pop, shopping (window shopping- great for staying frugal!), t.v., movies etc.

This year, in response to a book I am reading, I decided to give up more of myself... my Time. In looking at my day, I don't spend a lot of time watching t.v., shopping, drinking caffeine or doing anything that would really be considered a sacrifice. The one and only thing that stuck out to me that would affect me deeply (and physically) was my time sleeping. Sigh.

If any of you truly know me, you know that I LOVE TO SLEEP IN! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! My husband is not a "sleep-in" kind of guy. He constantly gets up early to go to Panera, get ready for the day or to hang with Addie when she wakes up early. I cherish my sleep, love the fact that I am not working outside the home and therefore not bound by my alarm clock to wake up. Just bound by two little girls waking up on their own schedules.

Being pregnant, I absolutely need my sleep. So, instead of sleeping in in the morning I will typically go to bed earlier at night or take a short nap while the girls are napping.

So.. it's not just about "giving up" something. It's also about using that time that I would of otherwise spent sleeping-in to focus my mind, heart and life to prepare for Easter. So what have I been doing with the 1 1/2-2 hours that I sacrifice to get up early? A lot of reading (either the Shack that I am reading w/ my husband or the Purpose Driven Life I am reading w/ a few friends, drinking coffee (mainly decaf), getting ready for my day, visiting Panera twice a week to read (and visiting Wal-mart afterwards- 7:45 a.m. is the time to go to Wal-mart it is not busy at all!), spending time with Addie while Sophie still sleeps, making breakfast for the family (yummy bannana muffins!), get some of my computer "stuff" done (like checking e-mail, writing posts, doing research for my blog etc.) and writing my "to-do" list for the day.

Wow. I never thought I would say that I like getting up early, but I like it! I can get so much done and really prepare my heart/mind for the day. I always wanted to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, who gets up early before her family to prepare for her day, but I never thought it was possible especially while pregnant and having 2 little girls. So far I am on day 5 of my new discipline and I am realizing it is more possible than I thought. Granted, I still need to take care of my physical body by going to bed early and taking naps so that I don't turn into cranky mommy.

Pray for me that I can continue this new discipline at least through day 40... :<)

S is for Snow

The girls had fun today playing in the snow outside. It was a bit chilly and windy, so Addie and Ella only stayed outside for a short while, but they liked the little bit of freedom it offered!

Addie out in the cold! She would not keep that scarf around her face.

Addie and Ella on the front porch stomping away!

FREEDOM! It has been so long since we have been able to do any sort of "playing" outside. Addie was apprehensive at first about the snow, and towards the end she was absolutely done. She lasted about 20 minutes total. Not bad for a 2 1/2 year old.

Throwing snow is so much fun!

Sophie chilled in her Dora chair watching Elmo while I was on the front porch with the girls. She, of course, would not of liked the snow. Too cold!

Aunt Mary came over to pull the girls in the sled. Ella loved it, Addie cried the moment it started moving. Oh well, maybe next time she'll take a longer ride!

This is Addie in the aftermath. 20 minute of cold, 20 minutes of snow and 20 minutes of trying to keep that scarf off of her face and her rosy cheeks and tired eyes say it all!