under construction

I did this thing where I thought I could work on some blog layout.  Then I lived out my reality:  I have 3 kids and I'm not an experienced blogger.  Therefore, I need lots of time to rearrange my blog.  I'll get to it.  :)  Soon.

Faves

A small list of things that I'm appreciating these days:

• music:  Mumford & Sons, Lumineers, All Sons & Daughters, Fun., George Winston, Diana Krall & Hank Jones on Pandora, Astrud Gilberto on Pandora.  This is quite the range from new to old-time jazz, to instrumental I heard throughout my childhood.  
• books:  John.  The past 2 years our church body has read through the book of John.  My servant-hearted husband has poured hundreds if not thousands of hours into sermon prep to share Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and re-appearance with our church goers.  This book has greatly shaped my understanding of Jesus.  The summary sermon Jason preached this past weekend was outstanding by the Lord's doing only.  (Jason gets nervous when complimented.  He's funny like that.)  I'll post the link once it's up on our church site.  Another book I'm appreciating is Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh Demoss.  My quad finished this book a few months ago and it challenged me greatly.  I frequently need a swift kick in the pants.  This book kicked with gusto.
• food:  I love me some honey Greek yogurt mixed with Jif peanut butter.  Dip some apple slices into the dip and voila!  New favorite snack.  And then popcorn.  I use our popper 4 to 5 times a week.  Melted, unsalted, full-fat butter, sea salt sprinkled on top, with highly-processed cheese sprinkles are also a fave.  Coconut oil.  I've been using this to cook, saute veggies, bake bread, and for non-food reasons.  It's a great hair treatment, skin softener, and I'm going to start oil-pulling.  I'll write soon about some of the natural and organic facts that I've been appreciating and implementing at home.  I think this stuff is so neat.  But, back to faves...
• beverages:  do I really need to specify?  I love coffee.  Light roasts in particular because they have far more caffeine than dark roasts.  Plus, dark roasts taste bitter and burnt.  I prefer not to drink something that tastes like cigarettes.  Flavored light roasts are delightful--coconut macaroon from Target, Archer Farms, is currently at the top of the list.
• skin care:  Mary Kay.  Always and forever.
• hygiene:  I'm becoming an earth-lover and anti-chemical chic.  It's more pricey, but research has convinced me that all the chemicals we put on our skin, which soak in, because skin is a living organ, does and will harm us.  So, I've become a fan of sulfate, phthalate, paraben-free products.  (Should I have saved this for my granola-muncher post?)  All the sulfates from my old shampoos were drying me out causing me to be my own winter weather system.  White flakes falling---and it wasn't snow.  This is a weird topic to have on my list of faves.  Moving on, shall we?
• websites:  www.alaskafromscratch.com, whole-foods from scratch.  Skinnytaste.com, Pinterest.com, Etsy.com, Amazon.com.
• my family:  Jesus has given me a beautiful family.  There is no way to express the gratitude and deep appreciation I have for the four other people who live in my house with me.  I'll try to get better at expressing these feelings as I continue blogging.
• first Fridays of the month:  My mom has graciously offered to watch my kids for me on the first Friday of each month so I can have alone time to clean and organize my home as needed.  This is a huge blessing to me!  Today is the first Friday of the month which means I need to get going so I can take advantage of my wonderful mother's sacrificial offer.  I need my mother so much more now that I am a mother.  

Oh, hey. It's been over a year.

It's been over a year since I've posted.  Well over a year.  What got me back to my blog today?  This morning I was talking with Jason and he mentioned that he'd like us to read books together this year.  He had this lofty goal of reading sixty books last year.  He ended up reading twenty.  That's nineteen more than I read.  The only book I read and finished was What to Expect When You're Expecting.  And because anyone reading this probably reads my Facebook status you already know that we added our third child to our family (in March).  Hence the pregnancy book reading and near memorization of said book.  And about our third child, he is awesome; more on that soon.  Back to Jason, he mentioned that reading together would be a great idea and I agreed.  There are four books I'd like to read and have finished by February.  All are relevant and would be helpful to my family and I.  Then I mentioned I'd like to start blogging again.  He supported and said he'd even like to blog again, too.  So while my oldest kiddos played, colored, danced, "imaginationinged", snacked, and fought as my youngest took an unusually long afternoon nap, I tweaked my blog.  And I'm so glad I did.  It's nice to be back.

Life is flying by for me.  All those parents who said, "oh, honey.  Time flies.  Soak up your kiddos and all the time you have with them while you can" were right.  My days go by so fast--so fast that it's usually 1 or 2 before I even have the time to brush my teeth.  I know, gross.  So with life flying by so fast that I can't brush until it's officially post-meridian, I thought life and it's happenings need to be captured via this blog.  A little note about this blog:  I'll be honest about life, my heart, my walk with the Lord, how parenting is going with it's joyous moments and heart-breaking moments, what I'm reading, what is influencing me, even details about the flavored coffee I'm drinking.  I'll share who has inspired me, encouraged me, how Jesus is revealing Himself to me in and through my husband, children, family, and friends.

With all that out there, thanks for reading this.  I'm glad to have friends and family who care about the life of my family.  We have been so deeply blessed.  And as I referenced earlier, we had our third child this past year.  Talk about a blessing!  Jonathan Rock Wing, who we lovingly call Jonny Rock, Jonny Rockerson, Jon Jon, Jonny, punkin', sweetie, sweet baby, etc., is the perfect addition to our Wing clan.  He is 9 months old and he is a joy.  He has his moments of being a total cling-on, a horrible night-sleeper, hard to please, and a very picky eater.  But his two-toothed smile that lights up a room, his white duck-fluff hair that sticks straight up, his cottage cheese-like thighs that are oh-so-squeezable, his mimicking head nods and shakes could melt anyone on contact.  His siblings are over the moon for him, too.  Reagan is 5 and the best big sister this world could as for.  Gideon is almost 4 and he's anxious for Jonny to grow up so he can play trains and Buzz Lightyear with him.  

There are so many blessings to count since my last post.  The birth (VBAC, mind you) of Jonny, my brother and sister in law moving 5 minutes away from us, the addition of their second child, Annie, a 12 week sabbatical for Jason which was only supposed to be 5 weeks (thank you, Lord), Reagan starting pre-school for the second time at Tuesday School, Gideon starting pre-school for his first time at Tuesday School, Ohio Ham Fam reunion this past Summer, Apex Xenia starting up and growing for over a year.  All these blessings didn't come without sadness, however.  My dear Grandpa passed away this past September.  He was a man of honor, integrity, and utmost character.  I miss him.  His passing has been so hard to get over.  But the blessing in Grandpa's passing is my faithful Lord using it to grow me and teach me more about Him and life after death for Christ-followers according to His Word.  

As I finish this long-overdue post, here is the list of the four books I'm anxious to read by the end of February:  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp; a book about counting blessings in any and all things, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon; a cookbook that challenges the politically correct view of nutrition, Interior Wisdom by Leah Richardson; an interior-design book that teaches you how to make your home comforting and stylish while challenging the reader to make over their heart for Jesus, and Education at Home by Jean Soyke; a guide to help parents who want to homeschool.  Rest assured these books will impact the way I live and fulfill my duties as wife and mother.  So, stay tuned.

Maybe this time

A few things I'm learning about myself, the Gospel, and goals from here on out:

Life.  I don't know how all my young-mom-friends out there do it.  They serve their husbands, kids, make their homes into live-in design show rooms, home school, host house church, have time for reading and hobbies on the side, oh yeah, and are growing by leaps and bounds in their walks with the Lord, too.  They are superwomen.  (Or are they?  Is this what a normal woman and mother is supposed to look like?  If so, yowzas...I need an intervention!)

So, in an attempt to actually be like these fellow mamas and women, I've been striving to do all of the above the last few months.  And simply, I can't do it.  And now that I'm realizing how much I've tried to do it successfully, I'm all the more empty.

Comparison is a thorn in my side.  I'm learning, once again, how useless and detrimental this tactic of the enemy is.  I feel like I should have this figured out by now.  That I should be confident and have enough self-awareness to combat the little thoughts that come floating by.  Rather than let them pass by, I ponder, give them more attention than they deserve.  Then those floating thoughts land, take root, then grow to affect my outlook on life, family, and the Church.  This is so elementary!  Why is this still an issue?!

For now, I'll stop asking why it's an issue and accept that it is an issue.  And now that it's admitted, I can no longer fool myself and think I can fix it on my own.  Now I have the joy of repenting.  And I'm not being sarcastic--it is a joy for me to repent!  It could be daily for the next few days and weeks.  OK, probably multiple times a day, but it's still repenting.  And I'm learning that all this comparison stuff isn't really as much about wanting to refine myself or do better for my family as it is about wanting to puff myself up.  So, enter pride.  I'm learning that pride is at the root of my heart and I want to look like I have it all together so I can be esteemed as a good wife who practices Proverbs 31.  Good grief if that isn't sin then what is?!  (Didn't think I'd be pouring my heart out on my blog today--I have laundry to do, tons of it, but I think this public confession is laundering my heart.  Which I'll take).  So, there's a bit of an update into my life and how Christ and the Spirit are searching my heart, exposing the disgusting-ness of it, and how I need Him more now than I can ever remember.  I love that I have a Savior who isn't surprised by this.  He's not shaking his head or "tisk-tisk" ing me.  He loves me, He made me, He knew this would be a struggle, and He decided to redeem me anyways.  And He's refining and will use this for His glory, Lord willing.

On a not so serious note, here are some goals and recent updates:

• Jason will be sharing preaching responsibilities at the Apex Xenia campus and the Kettering campus starting in September.  This is a huge step for our family.  We're excited for what's to come!
• I've become a Mary Kay beauty consultant.  I've loved it so far and I'm hoping this venture will bring in extra income for our family, allow me to expand my social circles and reach women who don't know Christ so through our facials, I can share Him with them.  
• Reagan and Gideon are the cutest kids.  They are handfuls most of the time but my heart is also full because of them.  So, I guess they're handfuls and heartfuls.  
• Michael, Maggie, and Jonah-boy are moving back to Dayton in July.  No words could express how much our little family is anticipating their home-coming.  
• Becca boo is home for the Summer and it's been awesome to re-connect and hang out with her.  She's become our weekly babysitter and it's great to see the kids bond with her even more.  
• Ham Fam Reunion 2011 is just around the corner.  It.will.be.fantastic.
• Goals:  Wake up early again to be in the Word.  Exercise.  Get my house in order.  Get pregnant.  Host more Mary Kay parties and facials.  Get a home school curriculum in place for Fall for Miss Reagy Roo.  Learn new ways to encourage my hubby.  Start taking Gideon out for mommy/son dates.  

Now that I've changed my blog background and successfully rearranged some stuff and added a new header and actually blogged, I'm off to accomplish some of the above goals.  Thanks for reading, you'll hear more from me soon.  For real this time.  I'm going to get better at this.  

Nope

My high hopes for Christmas-time blogging were defeated.  Totally by self.  With 2011 less than 11 hours away, here are some things I'm looking forward to beginning tomorrow morning:

• having quality time in God's Word (book of John) and in prayer
• being faithful to healthy menu planning
• being faithful to exercising (p90x)
• setting some moments aside to have quality time with Reagan and Gideon together and individually each day
• de-decorating Christmas stuff
• deep cleaning carpets and washing couch cushions and seat covers

By God's grace, 2011 will be the year we:

• get pregnant with Wing baby #3
• buy a mini van without a loan

By God's grace, Jason and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary January 28.  Looking forward to 2011 and all God has in store for us and for those He's divinely placed in our lives.

Quick Catch Up

Man...I'm the WORST at keeping up this blogging thing.

Maybe since I love my new background I'll be better at blogging.  :)  Good news is:  21 days till Mike, Maggie, Jonah, Bubba, and Uncle Chris come to OH for the holidays.  More good news:  15 days till we leave for Michigan Christmas celebration with the Wings.  Even more good news:  date night tomorrow night.  I need some quality time with Jason.  Too much hectic stuff happening and it will be good to connect with the man of my dreams.

Ahh, December 1.  Welcome--I've been so waiting for your arrival!

Summer 2010

 

Reagan and Gideon have grown up so much these past few months.  I'm amazed by how many small phrases Reagan has learned.  She'll say things like, "Mommy, I just can't clean up the playroom right now.  I have to watch my show."  Or, "Gideon, that's so nice of you!  Thank you for sharing--you love me so much."  She's understanding more than sentence structure.  She's learning everyday things, lies, truths, manipulation, how to serve, etc.  I'm watching the battle between good and evil play out in her.  We are born into sin, until God's grace and salvation is revealed, understood, and accepted by us (as ordained by God).  And since Reagan is yet to be saved or even see or understand her need for a Savior, I'm witnessing her need for the Lord each day (the saved need Him each day, too!).  Anyways, seeing her battle with her own sin is quite revealing.  The days of temper tantrums and selfish behavior she had before she could reason or justify her actions are long gone.  It's interesting to see her battle it out--respect/disrespect, obedience/disobedience, kindness/selfishness.  As her mother I want to be there to correct her (in a non-nagging manner) and I do that often.  I also end up nagging her and end up asking her to forgive me.  Anyways--my point is, I'm not always correcting anymore.  She's learning to self-correct and re-direct her thoughts and motives which in turn produces a changed attitude.  While Christ isn't in her yet, she's learning what is right and wrong and how she can please Jesus in the mean time.  And by "in the mean time" I'm referring to the time between right now and the day she is called into Christ's Kingdom through God's grace and Jesus' salvation.  

Sweet Gideon is a charmer.  His dimples and his cute little run make my heart burst with joy.  He's saying so many words these days.  And as much as I love his words, his tone and inflection are what really get me.  Most heard words lately:  bankie (blankie), vimaminmin (vitamin), dee-dee (candy & cookie), dooce (juice), megan (Reagan), e-uh-nuh (all done), mo (more), deese (cheese), apple, a-nana (banana), gate, potty, ah-ee (paci), and many more!  He's a trooper and a stud.  He falls down so many times a day and he rarely whimpers.  He's climbing, jumping, bouncing, and he's all boy.  I love that I have such an all-terrain little boy and a prim and proper and high-maintenance girl.  They are so different but they love each other dearly.  I've enjoyed watching the sister/brother bond grow stronger this Summer.  Their fighting and lack of sharing has been less than acceptable and, oh, do they hear it from me!  But on the flip side, their growth in love for one another has spoken so much to me.  

Looking forward to Fall and all that the Lord has in store for our family.  :)