Routine.... Or Lack There Of

Seriously! It has been over a week since I posted! I need major blogging help! Totally kidding, btw. What I really need is a more functioning schedule. My work schedule has been totally out of whack because of all the extra shifts I was picking up, and now it is finally back to normal for the most part, but now I just can't seem to get on a daily home schedule that works.

I am in the middle of a 7 day stretch of NO work. I thought for sure I would have accomplished so much, and yet I feel as though I have accomplished hardly anything at all. I am so stinkin exhausted all I want to do is lounge around when I have extra time. Yuck! I hate being lazy.

I guess I should give myself some credit, my house has been fairly clean and maintained the last few days. Laundry...not so much. My poor hubby has to search the house every morning looking for socks!

Anyways, I am just trying to come up with a better routine on a day-to-day basis. It always seems like our days are so different. Between my working nights, Jaden having school every other day, Eli having speech 2 mornings a week, and preschool 2 afternoons a week, daycare one day a week, I can't get down a routine or schedule that works smoothly. It is so frustrating.

I am hoping to start fresh on Monday with a routine something like this:

Wake before the children-run, shower, start breakfast, maybe sneak in a load of laundry
Wake the children
Breakfast
Get the children ready-bath/shower, dressed
Have some play time-clean up the kitchen
Group activity-game, books, craft
Morning snack
Engage children in helping tidy up the house for a few minutes
Head downstairs-more laundry, play time for kids, maybe a short movie
Upstairs-get lunch ready, have kids pick out a story for after lunch, have kids set the table
Lunch
Story
Nap for Eli, quiet time for Jaden, Computer/quiet time for mom
Afternoon snack
Outside if weather is nice or inside game/art
Downstairs again-play time, more laundry
Upstairs- prepare dinner, 15 minute power pick up, boys set table
Dinner
Family time after dinner clean up
Get ready for bed
Story
Bed time
Mom relax time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this works well. Monday there is no school and no daycare so it will be a good day to mess with our current routine and work out the kinks. Tuesday will be a whole different story! Here's to hoping this helps!

Welcome to Lectio Divina

I have been wanting to do this for a while. I am not sure how it will work via blog, but I feel like this is what I am supposed to do. Thanks to a couple that Ken and I hold dear to hearts, we were introduced to Lectio Divina, and it is amazing. So I want to share it with you.

Lectio Divina is the reading of Scripture not to satisfy our minds with answers, but reading of Scripture for “such things as move the heart to devotion” (Thomas a Kempis).

To do this requires intentionally shedding the common methods most of us use when we read. Tony Jones notes,

The fact is, we read mostly for entertainment or information. Whether it be a novel, the newspaper, magazines, professional journals, or the Bible, we read almost exclusively for these two reasons. We need to approach the Bible differently for lectio.
(Sacred Way, p. 51)

In Lectio we listen not for information but for connection. We listen for Jesus: the living, active, incarnate Word. When we hear him, he speaks to our hearts.

The four step process is as follows:
~Lectio (Reading)
~Meditatio (Meditation)
~Oratio (Prayer)
~Contemplatio (Contemplation)

Again, the purpose of this process is not to receive a communiqué of information but to commune with God: to feel his touch, to hear his voice, to taste his goodness, which will change us.

Lectio (Reading)

~Pick a quiet and solitary place to read, preferably the same “sacred place” each time.
~Pray a prayer expecting to sense God’s presence and voice.
~Read the text slowly, repeatedly, and aloud. Hold a hand or hands open, palms up, to symbolize your desire to receive the Word.
~Listen for a certain word or phrase or image that rises above the rest of the text and grabs hold of you.
~Write down you answer to the Lectio step: “What word or phrase or sentence jumped out at you as you listened?”

Meditatio (Meditation)

~Write a couple of sentences of reflection around what you heard or saw. What feelings and emotions does it conjure up?

Oratio (Prayer)

~Write a brief prayer of response to what you hear God saying to you.

Contemplatio (Contemplation)

~Reread the passage to simply soak in, to rest in, the Word. Then be still and let silence be the song you are singing together.

*After going through Lectio individually and as part of a small group, it has completely changed the way I understand devotion time with God. I am hoping to post scripture once a week for people to participate in. I will share some of what God has shown or spoken to me, and you can feel free to leave a comment with the same, or make a separate post on your blog. I just want to encourage people to participate, it really can be amazing when we give dedicated time and silence to God.

This weeks verses:

Isaiah 4 3:1-3a, 4b

But now, this is what the Lord says

he who created you...

he who formed you..:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One...,

your Savior...

and

I love you."

Lectio:
What word or phrase or image jumped out at you as you listened?
"Fear not, I have redeemed you, summoned you, you ARE mine." I am redeemable, I am worth something, I am needed for something important, to be summoned is a "big deal", not to be taken lightly, I AM HIS. The word WHEN stuck out to me each time it was used. So matter of fact- not IF, but WHEN you pass through the waters, rivers, and fire....
I will be with you.

Meditatio:
Write a couple of sentences of reflection around what you heard or saw. What feelings and emotions does it conjure up?
God has summoned me for something in His great plan. It involves trusting Him, NEEDING Him. There WILL be troubles and obstacles, but ALSO victories. It brings a mix of emotions to me.

Oratio:
Write a brief prayer of response to what you hear God saying to you.
Thank you Father for revealing this to me. Show me Lord where you have summoned me, where you need me in your great plan. Remind me that I am yours, because I am human and insecure at times, and I forget that I BELONG to you. Do as your word says and be with me, allow me to feel your presence more. Help me through the waters, rivers, and fires. I will go through them for you, I know they will strengthen me. Thank you Lord for loving me. For saving me. For allowing me to be yours. For redeeming me, and calling me by name. I am ready to listen. To be still. To be silent to you and your will for my life.

Contemplatio:
Reread the passage to simply soak in, to rest in, the Word. Then be still and let silence be the song you are singing together.

Then share with us what God revealed to you!

p.s. Thank you to Dale for introducing us to Lectio, we LOVE it!

Yay For This Weekend

I am so looking forward to this weekend. There is so much to look forward to. I don't work again until Monday, my husbands birthday is today, we get to go out for pizza and games with the boys tonight, Ken and I and a bunch of friends get to go skiing tomorrow with NO kids, and we get to go to church on Sunday as a family.

God is good and I just love him so...

Randoms

1. What time did you get up this morning? Um, I have been up since yesterday morning at about 6:00. I did have a 2 hour mini nap in there somewhere, I think.
2. Diamonds or pearls: DIAMONDS
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Fireproof with my lovely husband.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Greys Anatomy
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? lots of things, I love a BIG breakfast, oatmeal, eggs, cereal, toast, bacon, fruit, mmmmm.
6. What is your middle name? Kristine
7. What food do you dislike? mushrooms, YUCK
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Honestly, I have not been listening to music lately. I am addicted to conservative talk radio, Yes, I am a dork!
9. What kind of car do you drive? The typical soccer mom mini van, and I love it.
10. Favorite sandwich? Either a veggie sandwich, or a turkey and veggie sandwich, with humus.
11. What characteristic do you despise? Being fake (I agree with you Miss)
12. Favorite item of clothing? A sexy pair of jeans that fits just right. I don't actually own a pair anymore!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Europe or Australia, but I hate to fly. So that limits my options.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Whatever fits and doesn't require a second mortgage on my house to buy.
15. Where would you retire to? Anywhere close to my children and grandchildren.
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? A few years ago a few friends and I went and had a tea party that was a TON of fun.
17. Favorite sport to watch? Something girly like gymnastics.
Furthest place you are sending this? I have no stinking idea.
19. Person you expect to send it back first? Again, no stinking idea.
20. When is your birthday? June 02, yup everyone forgets because it's at the beginning of the month.
Are you a morning person or a night person? I used to be a morning person. I have never been a night person, but now I work nights. I have become some strange combination of both. I am an "awake all the time" person I guess.
22. What is your shoe size? 9-10
23. Pets? A toy poodle named Latte and a gold fish named Goldy(original I know).
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? I wish!!!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? A model, a teacher, or a stay at home mom. What was I thinking!
26. How are you today? Great for being awake since yesterday morning. And very very proud of my Little Eli.
27. What is your favorite candy? CHOCOLATE anything.
28. What is your favorite flower? I am having a brain fart here......I know what they look like but can't remember their name.
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? When I am debt free.
30. What's your full name? Jacynda Kristine
31. What are you listening to right now? Jaden teaching Eli a few new words while he sits on the toilet. Weird I know, buy hey, anything to get Eli interested in using the bathroom.
32. What was the last thing you ate? A few crackers and hot coco.
33. Do you wish on stars? nope.
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Black.
35. How is the weather right now? Cold.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?Jeni Z.
37. Favorite soft drink? Root beer, but hold the root. Totally joking!
38. Favorite restaurant? Anything Italian or seafood.
39. Real hair color? A weird shade of red.
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Anything that wasn't mine.
41. Summer or winter? I like spring:)
42. Hugs or kisses? Lots of both. Hugs from my boys, kisses from my man.
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Is there any other flavor than CHOCOLATE?
44. Coffee or tea? Both, depends on the day.
45. Do you want your friends to answer these? For sure, especially Sara T
46. When was the last time you cried? Today while I was watching my baby at preschool and listening to him say a TON of words I have never heard him say before.
47. What is under your bed? I am afraid to look.
48. What did you do last night? I worked all night.
49. What are you afraid of? Lots of things. I have a terrible problem with fear. Mainly I am afraid to die before my boys are adults.
50. Salty or sweet? Sweet oh so sweet.
51. How many keys on your key ring? One
52. How many years at your current job? 7 months
53. Favorite day of the week? Any day I have off and am with the family.
54. How many towns have you lived in? 5
55. Do you make friends easily?I have no idea, ask them.

Please copy and paste to your blog and leave comment so I can go read yours!!!

My morning went something like this....

...leave work on time despite the CRAZY busy night we had.
Drive to the in laws in -14 degree weather, brrr(thank goodness for the new remote starter!).
Get to the in laws only to be greeted by my 3 year old with a "no" and a shove to try to get me to leave.
Spend 30 minutes getting my son ready and willing to leave gramas without a fight.
Get out to the van, only to have him refuse to sit in his booster seat.
Force him into his booster seat and take his toys away for being naughty.
Drive home while listening to him kick and scream like the world was coming to an end.
Pull over on Hwy 95 to spank him for successfully climbing OUT of his booster seat while I was driving 60mph.
Continue to listen to him kick and scream.
Drive with my L hand while holding him IN his booster seat with my R hand (very safe I am sure!)
Yell at him for being so out of control this morning.
Pull over again because he over powered me and climbed out of his booster AGAIN!
Continue to drive home while holding onto his jacket with a death grip while he throws a fit on the floor of my van.
Continue to hold him and brake for the upcoming stop sign, which throws him up to the front of the van.
He continues to kick and scream, never mind the fact he whacked his head on the seat.
Physically hold him down on the floor between the two front seats of my van while driving the last 3 blocks home.
Curse a few times to myself for what a sucky morning it is obviously going to be.
Get home only to have the garage door only open half way because of the cold.
Get out of the van and carry my screaming child into the house and spank him again and put him in his room for a VERY long time out.
Put myself in my room for a VERY long time out.
Ask God for a miracle amount of patience.
Pray that no one saw what was going on in my van and turn me into social services!!!!!!!

And this was only the first hour of my morning........Today is GOING to be great!


p.s. God did give me patience, thank goodness. And the rest of my morning hasn't been bad:)

25 Random Things About Me

Thanks for tagging me Sara! You are OH too kind...and funny!

1. I am laying in bed this very minute, half dressed.
2. Yes hunny, you heard me right........(that got his attention)!
3. Me and chocolate are BFF's.
4. Especially chocolate with carmel...mmmm.
5. I have a secret love affair with 80's rock music.
6. OK I lied, it isn't a secret.
7. My boys are my life.
8. I have to be reminded constantly by my therapist that I AM NOT LIKE MY MOTHER!
9. I am actually starting to believe her.
10. I am craving pizza right now.
11. I think my friend Sara is a Spaz.
12. She thinks so too.
13. I am in love with my friend Amanda's new baby.
14. I am trying to come up with a really good plan where I can steal her baby and she won't notice :)
15. It isn't working.
16. I sometimes wear my high heels when I am cleaning my house.
17. It makes me feel like a sexy french maid.
18. I recently started running.
19. It is ridiculous to look at.
20. I have been wanting to have a Pampered Chef party for months.
21. I am too lazy to plan it.
22. I work nights, and love it.
23. Just not full time.....that stinks.
24. I am DYING to have another baby.
25. My husband isn't.

I want to know 25 Random Things About YOU:)

Give me an E.....Give me a L......Give me an I....what does that spell....ELI, ELI, ELI!!! Yay ELI!!!!

OK so I am weird, big surprise! Have you seen my family tree???????? J/K

Anyways, as you may have guessed, this much over due post is about ELI!!!!

My cute little fella with very few words........

until now that is!!!!!

That is right people. We have had a break through with speech:) (cue standing applause)

My baby can now say,

mom, dad, ball, go, in, pop, no, gone, uh oh, doc & the king(from the Cars movie), please, and I think I may be forgetting a few!!!

Now they don't ALL sound exactly like what they should, but beggars CAN'T be choosers!

He is saying them fairly regularly around the house, but still not much in public or for his speech therapist.

But some progress is better than no progress and I am completely giddy that my baby says mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the cutest thing I have ever heard:)

So this post is for you ELIJAH!

Mommy is BEYOND proud of you! I know that you are going to grow to become an amazing speaker of Gods Word to many. Keep up the hard work buddy! We love you with all our love.