God is good

Last night I was invited to a prophetic card party. I had no idea what to expect, only for the Lord to show up and he did in a big way. We were a group of about 16 women and each one of us was given some words for 2010. How amazing to sit and ponder the fact that God knows us, knows our thoughts, our stuggles and dreams. We were all encouraged and blessed beyond comprehension by a faithful father. Thank you Jesus for showing up and letting me know that I am your beloved daughter.
Zander had his second night of Awana Cubbies, and our little man memorized 4 verses to recite, wow we were blown away by his capacity to treasure scripture in his heart. He received his stickers from his teacher and was one happy camper by the end of the night.
Praise the Lord!!!!

Receiving Gifts

Gifts are such wonderful things but my heart was touched this last week after I watched Zander receive a gift from his daddy. Eric returned from working in Idaho and he bought Zander a "Peterbuilt" truck. Oh how Zander has been wanting this particular truck, and on Wednesday morning there it was. His joy and excitement were so pure and so wonderful to watch and then I wondered is that how I receive gifts?? I realized that once an adult alot of the magic that surrounds gifts is lost, after all we know how much it costs, or we picked it out ourselves, or we ask for "useful" gifts, those needed items. But what about those gifts that we receive from our heavenly father, how do we receive those?? With a sense of responsibility, or that air of questioning is this really from you Lord? Or do we sit and ask "did I truly deserve this?" ?
Our God extends gifts to us in much the same manner, if not so much more, as Eric did to Zander, out of pure love and excitement to see his kids face. God wants this from me, that pure untainted joy of receiving a gift from my God. Hold our your arms and open them wide and with a heart of a little child receive all the gifts that God is giving you.

Love & Blessings

Random thoughts on staying home

Not much has been happening this week. Ethan has had his 6 month baby well appointment and while waiting on the doctor it dawned on me how little we have been sitting in that room over the past 2 years. I remember the time when visiting the doctor seemed to be a monthly (if not more often) occurence- aaah the effects of daycare. So as I sat there waiting watching Zander and Ethan an incredible feeling of graditute overwhelmed me for having the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. Yes, I say opportunity because stripped down to the core that is what it is, especially in todays economy and world. The opportunity to watch my boys grow and be there for the 1 million questions that present over the course of one day and for those tender moments when I least expect them; a quick yet gentle hug in the middle of fighting bad guys with the pop gun, an adorable "I love you mom" in the middle of a serious converstaion and the amazed expressions on Ethan's face as he learns the world around him. Oh what an opportunity! Of course reality hits every day, when I continue the epic battle of laundry and dishes on so forth (lets face it it will never end) but those are the moments to stop and think about the gift that I have and all of a sudden even those chores just don't seem so bad.
So a quick shout out of encouragement to stay at home moms, we can direct our day with our attidute so let's choose to accept this "job offer" with the highest pride and honor, because it is the best "job" in the world and we were chosen to do it.

Love & Blessings

A week of firsts

Oh what a week it has been. Our precious Ethan turned 6 months old this past Thursday and with this milestone came a whole bunch of firsts. First bites of solid (well soupy) food, first time at the big pool at the YMCA and first time at the church nursery. Phew!!!
Well the food has been a big hit, Ethan loves his pureed banana and I think he would just keep eating if it would not run out :) My little growing boy. We will be trying some carrots this next week and then off to some sweet potatoes.
The pool was a big success as well, he even kicked his feet a bit and to make it all better Zander had a pretty good time as well, at least no screaming this time.
To top off this week of firsts, we tried out the nursery at church for the first time. He of course did great while I sat in the sanctuary quite anxious for service to be over. Soon enough I got to hold my little guy snuggly in my arms. All well :)
Time is flying by but we are excitedly awaiting all the other firsts that are coming our way.

Love & Blessings

Zumba

I am in love-with a fitness program. Yes I have joined the thousands of  fitness fanatics on their newest craze- Zumba!
This is such a great and most importantly fun excercise. The first time I went I had a good time but by the end of the 1 hour session I truly questioned if I had really gotten a good workout. The next morning answered that question for me with almost an entire body of wonderfully sore muscles. Of course I decided to go again and it was once again a fun effortless workout with very obvious results. Now I am hooked and can't wait to go again.
I am of course super excited about this as this is right in line with one of my resolutions for this year- getting healthy and in shape. Great!!!!
So lets Zumba everyone!!

Love & Blessings

Resolutions is it????

2010 is here!!! And I have a lot of dreams and hopes for this upcoming year. I have decided to pick at least 12 resolutions- I prefer to call them dreams, hopes, goals and so on- and so far I have ended up with I believe 14. They are listed to the right - I am sure you have noticed :) and if more come to mind I will gladly add them to my list. I think I will keep my nifty list, yes I love lists, up for the year so that I may constantly be inspired by the ideas that 01/01/2010 has brought to mind. So far at least one for every month of this glorious year. I love the excitemet and possibility that each new year holds and I stand waiting like an empty vessel ready to take it ALL in.
I have a feeling this year the Matthews family will be productive, silly, excited, goofy, exhausted, stretched, humbled, crazy and abundantly happy in all the Lord has for us. I sit here with an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for my family and I am ready for another year of this crazy journey that we are on.

Love & Blessings