Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Typical Hard family day part 2
So - I didn't ever update and finish the post! Here was part of the rest of that day!
My little men manning the rakes "All together now....."
My little men manning the rakes "All together now....."
Katie tackles the flower gardens - both cleaning out and turing the packed soil (see the finished bags of leaves behind her? I think we only took out 5 contractor bags that day...):
Stephen resting after a hard days work:
Michael and Chris enjoying the newly cleaned yard : ) :
Great day - BUT - the leaves aren't all done yet which means..... MORE next week!
Fall is HERE!!
This is my favorite time of year!!! Absolutely. Crisp weather, stunning colors, every sense is amplified!!! And the smells!! And I get this baking bug (we have been eating very well around here as of late.... : ) ). Here are some pictures of my decorating - it's an event around here! And I can edit out the messy parts of the house.....bonus!! : )
Our archway between the living room and dining room:
The other side table:
The blanket on the sofa I finally finished last year!
The wall behind our table:
The window next to our table:
The window behind our table:
My hutch:
Left corner close up of the hutch : ) :
Right corner close up of the hutch:
In the hutch - my pottery leaf - love this thing!!
I LOVE fall!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
So what is a typical Hard family day like?
OK - this might not be typical - but around here, it's becoming more and more common.....
We start with the kids making mom breakfast and coffee to come down to because she is late......AGAIN!
We start with the kids making mom breakfast and coffee to come down to because she is late......AGAIN!
I am SO grateful for the gift of my kids! We are on our way to getting school (the written and oral part) DONE because we are heading out to grandmom's to do our yearly "duty" - LEAF RAKING! Will bring my camera and continue to take you through a typical day fall day (at least MY ideal... : ) )!
Friday, June 17, 2011
16 Years (and counting... :) )
None if us really look the same - in fact some of you know some of these people, and you would never guess it was them, but I digress......
Two and 1/2 years later, the Lord added this... :)
Two years after that He added one of these....
And a couple of these..... :)
Now we have this.....
All in 16 years..... :)
As many of you have experienced, the wedding is truly just the beginning. I honestly can not imagine living without this man!! When we got married he was my best friend - but I had no idea just how little of him I knew. As we have lived out our lives together thus far, I have learned so much from him, from his responses to things, from shared experiences - things that we had to do together to learn. And I know, without a doubt, that I still don't know all there is to know about him. I look forward to the years we have together in the future - seeing what the Lord will do, knowing what He has done, the things He has kept us through, and the gift of our marriage. I didn't have a clue.....
Sunday, March 28, 2010
On transitions and the grace of God....
Hi all!! We have gotten to that day. That day that ends our 15 month transition. Mike went back to work last Monday.
He is working in a tire warehouse. Funny thing is - he actually likes it. Don't get me wrong - it isn't his ideal career. It isn't what he wants to be doing. But it is the opportunity God has given him at this time to provide for our family, and isn't it kind of God to have his heart in a place where he is enjoying the provision God has granted!! There are details to be worked out schedule wise, money wise (this was a drastic reduction in pay), and goal wise (he is still in school - 2 classes a semester and he will have his BA in Biblical Studies by next May if we figured right), but as we look over the ways God has ordered our steps over the last season (who are we kidding!! over our LIVES!!) we have full confidence in the God of our salvation! So - we are still in adjusting as we have just finished week 1 (training), and as of tomorrow his "real" schedule starts. He is really enjoying school as well (and so far doing really well! He is on week 4 of 8 starting this week). He is tired, but in a lot of ways it is amazing how happy he is to be working again.
As for the rest of us, we are hanging on tight. On Thursday, we got home from the store and when we walked in, Chris loudly announced "Dad! We're home!" - to an empty house. He doesn't see Mike leave in the morning since he has to be in by 7 AM, and thought he was "in the tower" (our attic) working on school. We are getting used to not being able to get to daddy whenever we want - he can't have his cell at all in the warehouse, so it's breaks and lunch only. We are not used to that - me included! I didn't realize how used to him being around we had gotten! Last week was a challenge for me since once he gets home he really can't do too much - it is manual labor, and he has been up since 5 - so he isn't really anxious to be taking on anything extra after that - nor should he be. I have to get my A game going for sure from now on. I kept repeating to myself last week - "It's week 1. It's week 1. This is an adjustment period. It's week 1." By Friday I was feeling it - and didn't have half the stuff done that needed doing. But - that was week 1 :) !
We sat down today and attempted to get some semblance of a schedule planned. Here is where you guys come in. Like I mentioned, this is a pretty severe adjustment for our family. We are going from Mike being busy, but around, to Mike being busy and working 55 + hours a week. My brain is reeling from that number, and that is without the time he needs to get his school done, or the commute time. We already have needs that we would love to have you lift up to our Father (a post on that coming - we had an EXCELLENT sermon today!!) as we step out in faith believing that this is what God has for us in this season. We have desires that may have to be set aside during this time. We have what is looking like a REALLY tight schedule for the forseeable future.
Would you pray that Mike's schedule would allow us to attend our Care Group (first and foremost)? The way it looks now, he may not be able to be out of work in time for that to happen. This is a precious means of grace to us, and we are rather unwilling to let it go. He is approaching the scheduler tomorrow about making arrangements that will allow that. Please pray that he would be shown favor in his request. We actually have 6 dates in April that we had already scheduled on the calendar that would necessitate him getting out on time (6 PM) in order for us to keep those commitments. That is his end time, but apparently they don't really follow those end times. Would you pray for strength and endurance for Mike to finish his education as he also works all these hours? Would you pray for protection for our family as our time together will be lessened during this time - that we would enjoy and make good use of the times we are together? Would you pray that we would be strengthened as a couple through this busy season as well - that it would only serve to bring us closer, not make us too busy to remember we are married :) ? Would you pray that I would be faithful in my service to my family - not overwhelmed, but serving with joy and gladness - serving the Lord, my family, having the discernment to take on only what He has for me? That I would be able to prioritize my time as unto Him, and that I wouldn't be lazy? I have a tendency to find things to "fill" my time - they are such good things - and I neglect the things I know I am called to for the sake of those things. It's a "righteous" way of mismanaging my time. My family cannot afford that kind of behavior right now! I also desire joy in this season. All in all, it's a pretty tall order. But I serve a mighty God, and I believe that I am seeking to walk in obedience to Him. He promises the power to do what He has called us to - and I am clinging to that. I want it to be a reality in my life. Would you pray?
He is working in a tire warehouse. Funny thing is - he actually likes it. Don't get me wrong - it isn't his ideal career. It isn't what he wants to be doing. But it is the opportunity God has given him at this time to provide for our family, and isn't it kind of God to have his heart in a place where he is enjoying the provision God has granted!! There are details to be worked out schedule wise, money wise (this was a drastic reduction in pay), and goal wise (he is still in school - 2 classes a semester and he will have his BA in Biblical Studies by next May if we figured right), but as we look over the ways God has ordered our steps over the last season (who are we kidding!! over our LIVES!!) we have full confidence in the God of our salvation! So - we are still in adjusting as we have just finished week 1 (training), and as of tomorrow his "real" schedule starts. He is really enjoying school as well (and so far doing really well! He is on week 4 of 8 starting this week). He is tired, but in a lot of ways it is amazing how happy he is to be working again.
As for the rest of us, we are hanging on tight. On Thursday, we got home from the store and when we walked in, Chris loudly announced "Dad! We're home!" - to an empty house. He doesn't see Mike leave in the morning since he has to be in by 7 AM, and thought he was "in the tower" (our attic) working on school. We are getting used to not being able to get to daddy whenever we want - he can't have his cell at all in the warehouse, so it's breaks and lunch only. We are not used to that - me included! I didn't realize how used to him being around we had gotten! Last week was a challenge for me since once he gets home he really can't do too much - it is manual labor, and he has been up since 5 - so he isn't really anxious to be taking on anything extra after that - nor should he be. I have to get my A game going for sure from now on. I kept repeating to myself last week - "It's week 1. It's week 1. This is an adjustment period. It's week 1." By Friday I was feeling it - and didn't have half the stuff done that needed doing. But - that was week 1 :) !
We sat down today and attempted to get some semblance of a schedule planned. Here is where you guys come in. Like I mentioned, this is a pretty severe adjustment for our family. We are going from Mike being busy, but around, to Mike being busy and working 55 + hours a week. My brain is reeling from that number, and that is without the time he needs to get his school done, or the commute time. We already have needs that we would love to have you lift up to our Father (a post on that coming - we had an EXCELLENT sermon today!!) as we step out in faith believing that this is what God has for us in this season. We have desires that may have to be set aside during this time. We have what is looking like a REALLY tight schedule for the forseeable future.
Would you pray that Mike's schedule would allow us to attend our Care Group (first and foremost)? The way it looks now, he may not be able to be out of work in time for that to happen. This is a precious means of grace to us, and we are rather unwilling to let it go. He is approaching the scheduler tomorrow about making arrangements that will allow that. Please pray that he would be shown favor in his request. We actually have 6 dates in April that we had already scheduled on the calendar that would necessitate him getting out on time (6 PM) in order for us to keep those commitments. That is his end time, but apparently they don't really follow those end times. Would you pray for strength and endurance for Mike to finish his education as he also works all these hours? Would you pray for protection for our family as our time together will be lessened during this time - that we would enjoy and make good use of the times we are together? Would you pray that we would be strengthened as a couple through this busy season as well - that it would only serve to bring us closer, not make us too busy to remember we are married :) ? Would you pray that I would be faithful in my service to my family - not overwhelmed, but serving with joy and gladness - serving the Lord, my family, having the discernment to take on only what He has for me? That I would be able to prioritize my time as unto Him, and that I wouldn't be lazy? I have a tendency to find things to "fill" my time - they are such good things - and I neglect the things I know I am called to for the sake of those things. It's a "righteous" way of mismanaging my time. My family cannot afford that kind of behavior right now! I also desire joy in this season. All in all, it's a pretty tall order. But I serve a mighty God, and I believe that I am seeking to walk in obedience to Him. He promises the power to do what He has called us to - and I am clinging to that. I want it to be a reality in my life. Would you pray?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Another song post.... :)
Ok - Can't help it. Here is another song that struck a cord with me this week! We have had a lot of interesting things happen over the last few days. Here is a snap shot....
My dad had surgery last Thursday, we went to pick him and my mom up on Friday. After getting them settled in at their home, our van's brakes went out all at once - thankfully in a a parking lot next door to their house where it was parked. Praise God it did not happen on route 78 on the way back from Hackensack. Praise God we own not one, but 2 mini vans, and were able to switch over the vans (yes - we were crazy enough to drive the other one home - hey - it's only 10 minutes...) , and pick up our kids.
We got it back yesterday - turns out the brake lines ruptured - they had to be custom made (whole other story - our mechanic couldn't get them from the local GM dealership because there is some anger over there right now as next week they are closing), so it took 3 days. Van is running wonderfully now. Given the miles we put on that thing each week at this point - we are grateful for God's timing. Another praise in the dad and surgery area is that my dad was spared some major complications because he had robotic and went to Hackensack instead of staying local (as I had mentioned - our family has some physical quirks - apparently on both sides!!). He would have suffered permanent damage if he would have gone traditional. Praise God for His hand in ordering my parents steps as they walked through all of the treatment options!!
Got said van back yesterday - my brother's truck seized up on 78 last night (back wheels locked - he was able to get off the road safely!! Praise God!!!). Mike's van out on loan today to him for work travel. Mike is off until Tuesday from working at his dad's - so we were able to "lend out" so my brother doesn't have to worry about missing work while he comes up with the money to have his truck repaired. In the meantime my washing machine shut itself down. At least I had been able to get half of the wash done before it rebelled. Typing next to washing machine parts strewn all over my kitchen floor - glad my husband is "handy" - but what a mess!! And my laundry is sitting in little piles around the border. Planning a trip to mom's in the next 48 hours if we can't get this thing fixed. Praise God for local relatives who don't mind lending out their washers!!!
So we have one car (better than none), and lots of laundry to catch up on - but only half of what was here before!! I want to go back to sleep for a long time (plus I am running a fever - that could explain some of it - but most of it is an effort to get away :) ). This morning I needed some music that would help me keep focused as I cleaned up the kitchen and tried to get some things in order. Decided on Keith and Kristin Getty. Truth to music that also has that "marching as to war" feel. At least some of it - and that was what I was after. Needed a steady rhythm and gaze lifting lyrics. Here is the one that was brought home this morning :
"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"
Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.
Love the lyrics of this song!! This mix of dependency and walking really speak to me - and it is my prayer that as I walk through all of life's journeys that at the end I might wake more in the likeness of Christ, and cast any treasures I might gain at the throne of Christ at the end. What a picture!!! It is a wonderful and reflective song (not one of the "Marching as to War" ones :) - told you I have a music thing.... ).
I know that God will finish His work in us as we continue in Him. To borrow one of my husband's favorite phrases "May Christ receive the glory in all things" !!
My dad had surgery last Thursday, we went to pick him and my mom up on Friday. After getting them settled in at their home, our van's brakes went out all at once - thankfully in a a parking lot next door to their house where it was parked. Praise God it did not happen on route 78 on the way back from Hackensack. Praise God we own not one, but 2 mini vans, and were able to switch over the vans (yes - we were crazy enough to drive the other one home - hey - it's only 10 minutes...) , and pick up our kids.
We got it back yesterday - turns out the brake lines ruptured - they had to be custom made (whole other story - our mechanic couldn't get them from the local GM dealership because there is some anger over there right now as next week they are closing), so it took 3 days. Van is running wonderfully now. Given the miles we put on that thing each week at this point - we are grateful for God's timing. Another praise in the dad and surgery area is that my dad was spared some major complications because he had robotic and went to Hackensack instead of staying local (as I had mentioned - our family has some physical quirks - apparently on both sides!!). He would have suffered permanent damage if he would have gone traditional. Praise God for His hand in ordering my parents steps as they walked through all of the treatment options!!
Got said van back yesterday - my brother's truck seized up on 78 last night (back wheels locked - he was able to get off the road safely!! Praise God!!!). Mike's van out on loan today to him for work travel. Mike is off until Tuesday from working at his dad's - so we were able to "lend out" so my brother doesn't have to worry about missing work while he comes up with the money to have his truck repaired. In the meantime my washing machine shut itself down. At least I had been able to get half of the wash done before it rebelled. Typing next to washing machine parts strewn all over my kitchen floor - glad my husband is "handy" - but what a mess!! And my laundry is sitting in little piles around the border. Planning a trip to mom's in the next 48 hours if we can't get this thing fixed. Praise God for local relatives who don't mind lending out their washers!!!
So we have one car (better than none), and lots of laundry to catch up on - but only half of what was here before!! I want to go back to sleep for a long time (plus I am running a fever - that could explain some of it - but most of it is an effort to get away :) ). This morning I needed some music that would help me keep focused as I cleaned up the kitchen and tried to get some things in order. Decided on Keith and Kristin Getty. Truth to music that also has that "marching as to war" feel. At least some of it - and that was what I was after. Needed a steady rhythm and gaze lifting lyrics. Here is the one that was brought home this morning :
"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"
Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.
Love the lyrics of this song!! This mix of dependency and walking really speak to me - and it is my prayer that as I walk through all of life's journeys that at the end I might wake more in the likeness of Christ, and cast any treasures I might gain at the throne of Christ at the end. What a picture!!! It is a wonderful and reflective song (not one of the "Marching as to War" ones :) - told you I have a music thing.... ).
I know that God will finish His work in us as we continue in Him. To borrow one of my husband's favorite phrases "May Christ receive the glory in all things" !!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
An Update?
I realize I haven't posted in 2 months. We have had a crazy summer. Mike is finishing up his finals this week, and we have both been counting down the days this semester. It has been an unusually tough time for us time wise.
Last week we had the opportunity to go to Worship God '09 (the SGM Worship conference). Mike had been able to attend last year ('08), and really wanted me to come along with him. I can't express how grateful I am that he pushed me to go. It was an amazing time, and God used so many things over the course of the 4 days we were there to re-center my focus on Him. It was time well spent, and we are tremendously grateful to have been able to go (and grateful to my parents for watching the kids!!).
Mike is really looking forward to finishing his semester. One more semester, and he is done. I have no idea what the next few months will hold as we move forward, and that can be a bit unnerving. I think we are both feeling that. These past few months have been a mixture of fear, hope, confusion, peace, and a wonderful exercise in faith. I am feeling as if the next few months will bring about a whole new level of exercise. I know that He will be faithful to complete the work He has started in us - I am really praying for peace in the transition.
The kids have been great. I truly do not deserve to be blessed with the gift of my kids! They continue to grow and encourage me in so many ways!! We are getting ready to shift back into school mode. They are eager (especially the younger 2), and are looking forward to starting back up again. I need to bathe that in prayer - I am not there yet. I keep putting our start date off. It is time to get organized and going....
My heart has been heavy as of late. God is faithful. I know He is. It just feels like a free fall right now. I feel like we have been given such a great gift in this time. I am not sure if we have used it effectively. God has been bountiful in His provision to us. He has been gracious to our family. As I look back on all He has done over the last 8 months (WOW!!) that Mike has been home, I am nothing but grateful. I am starting to wonder what comes next now. I am not sure if that is helpful. And yet, as this season winds down in the next few months, I find myself asking my husband more and more often "What's going to happen to us? Are we going to be OK? We're going to be OK right?"
Even as I ask I know that I should know better. Mike is not my saviour. He loves me, and God uses him to provide for our family (in ways we could never have imagined). But he doesn't know, nor does he control the future. And I know who does. And I know He is faithful. And He has walked us through in ways I could never have anticipated. Please pray for a more profound focus. Please pray that I would not be "like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (James 1:23-24). But that I would be about doing the word - and that my trust would be planted firmly in God who NEVER changes.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Still here!
This week has been a little crazy. One high point was our trip to the aquarium (we have 2 days of school left, and this was one of them!). We got there at 9:30 AM which is opening time (Mike had school, so we had to get there early so we could get home in time for him to make it to school on time!), and were the first patrons through the door. It was really nice!!! We had the pet a shark exhibit all to ourselves -and if you have ever been to the Camden Aquarium, you know how hard it is to do that!! We were followed in by at least 10 school buses, so we went to the things that draw crowds first. It felt rushed, but it was a nice trip (our pass expires today, so we wanted to get one more trip in!). We came home exhausted, but happy!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Another flu day.....
We are still at home with the flu. I am hoping by tomorrow, we will be back up and running. In the meantime, God has been good to us as we have worked on our lessons, errands, and appointments. So far we haven't fallen behind.
Today while we were picking up our milk, Chris looked at the woman at the counter and told her that his dad told him to bring home that cherry cheesecake today. This brought playing the parents against each other to a whole new level. I had just said no....... and dad wasn't even there!! I almost gave in anyway - I love cherry cheesecake - but we went home dessert free.... And Mike had a good laugh when we got there. We are now resting at home (all except for Mike - he is at school tonight).
Today while we were picking up our milk, Chris looked at the woman at the counter and told her that his dad told him to bring home that cherry cheesecake today. This brought playing the parents against each other to a whole new level. I had just said no....... and dad wasn't even there!! I almost gave in anyway - I love cherry cheesecake - but we went home dessert free.... And Mike had a good laugh when we got there. We are now resting at home (all except for Mike - he is at school tonight).
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