I'm glad there are people much smarter than me in the blogosphere…….like Steve and Amy Beth.

Okay let's see if I can get this right!!!
I'm trackbacking to Steve's blog and Amy Beth's on trackbacks.
Have I confused you yet??

I'm still trying to figure this thing out….
Need help???
(Yea, me too!!)
Try Steve's blog or Amy Beth's

I'm beginning to redefine what “The Simple Life” means to me, especially after a few days away from my real life.  My vacation with my husband wasn't simple in some ways.  We did stay in a fancy nice hotel in Palm Springs, CA (not a cabin in the woods) and we definitely had to spend some money to get there (CA's not cheap) and we rode on a plane to get there (not a horse and buggie).  So in those ways the past few days weren't simple. 

But in many other ways they were simple.  I got to walk around under the beautiful sky holding hands with my husband.  We enjoyed long bike rides together.  We watched a little TV.  We sat by the pool.  I laid in a sauna. I prayed.  I felt the tension of life fall from my body.  I got to “be” instead of all that “doing”.

The pleasures were simple. 

Sometimes I get caught up in wanting my life to be simpler but is it in the wrong way?  Is this just another way of not being content with the life the Father has given me?  You know, kind of like wanting more, but in reverse??  This is the life The Father has given me.  Yes, I have choices within that life but the last few days have redefined what simple means to me.  The pleasures I enjoyed were simple. 

I'm not a soap maker or a homesteader or a wheat grinder (although I want friends who are).  I am a mom of 4 who homeschools two while keeping up with a toddler and sending one to Montessori school.  I often struggle just to keep the kids alive, the household running and some type of budget in place.  I have a husband God has gifted with a wonderful job that allows for trips like the one we just took (though not all the time).  I am NOT superwoman, supermom OR superwife.

I'm just a soldier marching through the battlefield we call life.

Do I trust God to care for my children so I can take time away?  Do I trust Him to provide for the time away?  Am I grateful when I receive it?  Do I take the time when presented OR do I too often act the martyr………?

“Oh, I can't leave my kids.”
“It's too much trouble.”
“How can we afford it?”
“What would others think?”
“How could I ask others to care for MY kids?”

Hmmmmm………..
Simple.
Maybe simple is just the acceptance of what God has gifted me with and using those gifts however he calls me to use them.

Jesus rested.
Julie needs rest.

Jesus took time away.
Julie needs time away. 

Simple……..

THOUGHTFULLY IN HIM,
Julie

Today I've prayed for all mothers everywhere to get to experience the type of relaxation and contentment I've experienced over the last few days.  My soul has been at peace.  My heart stilled.  My mind emptied.

Our trip to CA has been such a change in routine for me.  There is absolutely no one here who needs me.  The people around me are here to serve me, not to be served. 

My senses have been assaulted daily as I bike ride with my husband under gorgeous azure skys.  Lawns are meticulously manicured.  Flowers bloom everywhere.  Just breathing is so wonderful.  My eyes search for the source of the scent tingling my nose.  The sun is warm.  The air is dry.  The palm trees sway in the breeze.  I can hear the trickle of a waterfall. 

We don't gift ourselves with times such as these very often.  I know it's hard as a mom to take time for ourselves.  But we are not God.  We are human.  We need these times. They help us refuel, recharge.  They lift our spirits. 

I have to admit, I'm not ready to go home yet.  I need one more day.  Then I think I would be missing everyone at home.  I know it's been too long since I've taken care of myself when I'm not missing my precious ones yet.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this time by myself and with my husband.  We've fallen back into that wonderful routine, that dance couples do.  We hold hands.  We tease one another.  We laugh.  We aren't frustrated or tired or exhausted from the day.

We're spoiled.  We're rested.  We're relaxed.  We are one again. 

So I pray, “Dear Lord, give all the moms out there a place to be, a haven, a refuge.  Give them a peace of heaven on earth where skys are brilliant and blue, where gentle breezes blow and the sun warms their bodies.  We get so tired in the midst of the battle Lord.  May you bless each one with rest the way you have blessed me.  You are God.  The world, the universe, is at your fingertips.  Give us a refuge Lord.  Give us heaven here on earth just to recharge so we can go back into the battle with our heads held high, our armor in place and our hearts directed towards your perfect will”

IN JESUS' Mighty name
AMEN

Wishing each of my sisters a time just like this……
julie

After surviving the trip here we had a wonderful first day in Palm Springs.  We visited a Street Fair and I got SO MUCH Christmas shopping done.  Can you even believe it?  February, 84 degrees in sunny CA and I'm Chrismas shopping. 

I love gifts that are special.  And I found some today.  I guess I can't tell you about them because someone I bought for may be reading this.  I will say they are handmade, beautiful and from the “high desert” near Joshua Tree National Park or here or here.  We went there last year when I came to CA with my hubbie.

My oldest has had a tough time with my trip and has already begun to ask if I was coming next year.  I'm not sure how much a 7 year old understands the concept of time but I know he misses his momma.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort him.

I feel so spoiled here.  My bed's made for me.  I don't have to do laundry or cook.  The mountains surround us because we are in the valley.  It's a wonderful display of God's splendor and majesty.

We took pictures for the kiddos today and emailed some to them so they could experience CA with us. 

Here's my favorites from today…

Maybe this should be my new avatar???

and this one….

Me eating a JUMBO Boars Head hotdog at the Street Fair and enjoying EVERY fattening bite!!!!  YUM YUM.

More tomorrow….
IN HIM
Julie

(One of my favorite photos from baby girl's room)

…to the airport at least.  I'm nervous about flying to Atlanta.  I get motion sick really easy and it's windy today.  The last time I flew I think I cleaned the plane out of barf bags.  It's the worst feeling….being trapped and having to get sick in front of strangers.  Oh, please pray for me. 

I have a long layover in Atlanta and don't leave there until 7pm EST.  I leave Greenville SC (where I am now) at 2:45.  I think it's maybe a 30 minute flight.  So I'll peruse the Atlanta Airport for a while before heading out to Palm Springs.  Talk to you from Atlanta.

IN HIM
Julie
PS….Those of you who know about the Robert's Quads please pray for Casey.  He had blood in his diaper this AM.  The Roberts's Website

I guess I should make that a little hurray!  I took middle son back to the doctor today.  They tested for the flu and thought maybe pneumonia but alas, it's strep.  I don't think I've ever been so happy to have a kid with strep. 

Two things:
1.  It's completely curable with a round of mild antibiotics.  (I'll pump him up with probiotics when I return.)
2.  AND…….Since it's not the flu or some unknown virus I get to go to CA to see my hubbie!

Can you say “HAPPY DANCE!!!'

Now, may I ask for prayer for a safe flight and a delicious time with my hubbie.  Thank you to all of you who prayed for us.  Your prayers worked.

More from sunny Palm Springs……..

IN HIM and EXCITED.
Julie

We had another rough night.  Middle son's fever is very high again this morning although I haven't taken it since he's still asleep.  I had all 4 in the bedroom with me last night.  Baby girl was up at 5am.  What's up with that? 

I got oldest son off to school and hope to have a nap.  I'm making a few preparations for leaving but I'm torn with middle son.  I guess I'll call the DR as soon as I can and ask them. 

Keep praying.
Julie

Well I continue to hold onto HOPE that I will be able to join my hubbie in CA on Saturday.  The kiddos continue to battle illness and the miraculous healing I'm hoping for needs to come soon.  Maybe God just knew I really needed a week of sickness to be MORE THAN READY to join my DH for a few days by ourselves.  When was the last time we had that?  Certainly not since baby girl has been born.  She went with us to CA last year. 

For you praying folks out there…..PRAY!!!

IN HIM,
Julie

Well, I just thought we were out of the woods.  Oh, IIII know!  It's because DH left!  That's why we are all sick again.  It never fails!!

Baby girl threw up all over me this morning.  Middle son ran 103 degree fever all day and looked like death warmed over.  And youngest son has coughed like he smokes 2 packs of Camels a day.  Will Saturday ever get here?  Will I get to meet DH in CA? 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode of As the Worthy Turns!!!

   

Do you know I have searched my town and the one next to us for a Globe……no one sells globes anymore.  The teacher's store didn't have them.  Neither did Stuffmart, Dollar Tree, Dollar General or Staples.  Doesn't anyone use a globe anymore?????
Good Grief!!!!