This is my favorite time of year!
Warm summer days with hours of play outdoors
Filling the small pink pool for the girls to splash around in
Taking the camper and making memories with our family
Walks outside
Boating on the river
Seeing the excitement in the girls' eyes as they tube behind the boat
Swimming lessons with Kayla
Seeing her becoming more brave during those lessons
Amber waves of grain rustling in the wind
The smell of harvest (one of my favorites!)
Watching the combines bring in the fruits of the year long labors
Bike rides
Listening to the sound of water running in my water fountain
Watching our own little crops grow in the garden
Canning with my mom
Pickling beets like my grandma taught me
The sounds of popping lids signaling success in a day of canning
Fresh raspberries over ice cream
Milkshakes
Summer BBQs with family and friends
Lots of birthday celebrations in our family
Summer Bible Study
Play dates with friends
We started the summer by taking a trip to Maui to celebrate my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. Just the adults went! We left all the "grandkids" home! We all had the time of our life. What a huge blessing to spend concentrated time just as adults. Our kids also had a fabulous time as they spent concentrated time with Ben's parents. That was a first (for the both of them), and they made such special memories.
We also have the privilege of celebrating Ben's parent's 40th wedding anniversary. We will spend 10 days in Montana.
We told both of our parents they got to choose what they wanted to do to celebrate this special occasion. It's it interesting that neither one of them wanted a big "party?" They just want/wanted to spend time with their family. What a special heritage we have the privilege of being a part of.
With these big "highs", there has been some very interesting "lows" so far.
In the past month:
This dishwasher went out and I was without one for a week (something I realize I completely take for granted)
My garden started developing some leaf turning yellow disease and started dieing
Two days later, we had the craziest hail storm anyone has ever experienced and we happen to be the heart of the storm: The camper got severely damaged, some house window casings were broken, the hail damaged most of our rain gutters by putting huge holes in them, the garden pretty much got flattened (some had recovered, thankfully, until the storm last night), and the hail threw gravel 4-5 feet INTO the yard and flower beds. If you know where I live, and my house, you know what a mess this is. I had to pick (still picking...) gravel out by hand. One little piece at a time.
Ben's pickup got struck by lightening
Ben developed an infection in his lung and was completely down for almost 3 days during the busiest time of the year
We had another storm come through last night that made another mess, and flattened what was left of the garden. Needless to say, I think I have received my three signs that I am NOT supposed to be doing a garden this year. :)
My hubby is gone a lot because of work since it's the super busy time, so I am often completely worn out at the end of each day
So what is one to learn through all of this? That is the question I have been asking myself daily. It can be easy to look at your circumstances and try to gain truth from that. One must be careful in that though. Truth shouldn't come from our circumstances. They can be so up and down. Truth is The Lord, so He is where we should gain our "truth."
In comparison (I know, we aren't supposed to compare) to so many others around the world, and even in this state, I am BLESSED. I have been given SO MUCH! But Satan knows where I am weak, and what will best tempt me. I pride myself on having and acting on so many GOOD ideas, that I sometimes wonder if they are a GOD idea.
I am in an Experiencing God class at our church, and it has been a great/challenging study. It's about knowing the doing the will of God. I have been doing the homework, and spending time with Him, working on my relationships with Him, but honestly, I am sensing some serious silence. I can't even explain it, but I sense I'm on the verge of hearing something important from Him. He always speaks to us, it's just a matter of if we choose to hear what He is saying.
It's been an interesting summer to say the least. So now I wait. I trust God that He is the orchestrator of all, and ask Him to give me His perspective on my "circumstances" and for Him to reveal Himself and what He has to teach me (us) through this.
Have a great rest of summer!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Grace Upon Grace
If you haven't heard of Ann Voskamp, it is well worth your time to check her out. Here is a link to her blog: http://www.aholyexperience.com/
Today she talked about how there is and always will be more grace to have. I was reminded of a verse I actually based a devotional on that I shared a couple years ago.
John 1:16 says, "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."
Another version says "Because he was full of grace and truth, from Him we all received one gift after another."
This gift is GRACE. Something not one of us deserves, yet something we are delt. Over and over again. It doesn't stop.
If He can save me so esaily, then why don't I rest my weary head in His hands? Why do I think I can get through it if I just congure up enough strength to get through the next task? I can do this until I have nothing left. Why do I wait until I reach this point?
I can believe that he gives this grace, but I don't really start living until I believe in this grace alone. I must rest my weary heart and take hold of this glorious grace.
How do I get through the every day? What happens when I feel like this grace has run out? It won't. That is the beauty. More grace will be given in the moment that it is needed.
More grace will be given.
Grace upon Grace.
One gift after another.
There will always be...
-Piles of laundrey that don't get folded
-Moments of impatience with my 3 year old
-Arguments with my husband
-Hurtful words exchanged
-Meals that have to be cooked
-Dishes that have to be done
-Children demanding every ounce of energy I have (and even onces I don't)
-Children's naps being too short
-Sickness, sickness and more sickness
-Feelings of being trapped in my own home with the incredible blessings I have been given
-Feelings of guilt for having those feelings of being trapped
-A questioning of my purpose during this season
-People needing help
-People who let me down
-The horrible beast of expectations on myself and others
-The many times when I fall short
-Bills to be paid
-Not enough sleep
-Did I mention sickness?
Yet more grace will be given each day. Just when I don't have the strength in me. I can fall into his arms of grace.
"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youth (Rachel) grow weary and tired and vigorous young men (Rachel) stumble badly, yet those (Rachel) who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they (Rachel) will mount up with wings like eagles, they (Rachel) will run and not get tired, they (Rachel) will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:29-31
I'm so thankful for this grace. I'll be honest. It has been a long winter for me. In many of the ways expressed above. Yet I have this Grace. Given so freely. Why would I not simply accept it?
Thank you for this Grace. This gift. Poured out over and over and over again!
Today she talked about how there is and always will be more grace to have. I was reminded of a verse I actually based a devotional on that I shared a couple years ago.
John 1:16 says, "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."
Another version says "Because he was full of grace and truth, from Him we all received one gift after another."
This gift is GRACE. Something not one of us deserves, yet something we are delt. Over and over again. It doesn't stop.
If He can save me so esaily, then why don't I rest my weary head in His hands? Why do I think I can get through it if I just congure up enough strength to get through the next task? I can do this until I have nothing left. Why do I wait until I reach this point?
I can believe that he gives this grace, but I don't really start living until I believe in this grace alone. I must rest my weary heart and take hold of this glorious grace.
How do I get through the every day? What happens when I feel like this grace has run out? It won't. That is the beauty. More grace will be given in the moment that it is needed.
More grace will be given.
Grace upon Grace.
One gift after another.
There will always be...
-Piles of laundrey that don't get folded
-Moments of impatience with my 3 year old
-Arguments with my husband
-Hurtful words exchanged
-Meals that have to be cooked
-Dishes that have to be done
-Children demanding every ounce of energy I have (and even onces I don't)
-Children's naps being too short
-Sickness, sickness and more sickness
-Feelings of being trapped in my own home with the incredible blessings I have been given
-Feelings of guilt for having those feelings of being trapped
-A questioning of my purpose during this season
-People needing help
-People who let me down
-The horrible beast of expectations on myself and others
-The many times when I fall short
-Bills to be paid
-Not enough sleep
-Did I mention sickness?
Yet more grace will be given each day. Just when I don't have the strength in me. I can fall into his arms of grace.
"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youth (Rachel) grow weary and tired and vigorous young men (Rachel) stumble badly, yet those (Rachel) who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they (Rachel) will mount up with wings like eagles, they (Rachel) will run and not get tired, they (Rachel) will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:29-31
I'm so thankful for this grace. I'll be honest. It has been a long winter for me. In many of the ways expressed above. Yet I have this Grace. Given so freely. Why would I not simply accept it?
Thank you for this Grace. This gift. Poured out over and over and over again!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Just some thoughts...
We are publically dedicating Audrey to the Lord tomorrow. This doesn't save her, or make her "spiritual" or anything like that. It is a commitment to raising her in a Godly home, training her in the ways of the Lord. Committing ourselves to teaching and training her-not relying on anyone else to do it for us.
We don't take this lightly. In a way, we are asking for accountability in this by doing it publically. We will ask our church body to help us in this journey. We are blessed to have so much family here to be a part of this day as well.
Where has the last 7 months gone? Life seems to whirl by.
So thankful for these moments I am getting to spend with my girls. So thankful that I get to "stay home" (when am I ever home????) and be with them. Don't get me wrong, some days, I would relish the opportunity to go to work to get a break. But I would miss too many toothless grins and incredibly spunky faces.
I don't seem to find too much time to blog these days, but that's ok. I'm trying to spend my extra moments making memories with my girls, and taking care of our home so it is a refuge for all who enter in.
God is teaching me to just take a few moments each day to be thankful. Thankful for even the hard things. For the small things. For the great things. There is ALWAYS something we can be thankful for.
We don't take this lightly. In a way, we are asking for accountability in this by doing it publically. We will ask our church body to help us in this journey. We are blessed to have so much family here to be a part of this day as well.
Where has the last 7 months gone? Life seems to whirl by.
So thankful for these moments I am getting to spend with my girls. So thankful that I get to "stay home" (when am I ever home????) and be with them. Don't get me wrong, some days, I would relish the opportunity to go to work to get a break. But I would miss too many toothless grins and incredibly spunky faces.
I don't seem to find too much time to blog these days, but that's ok. I'm trying to spend my extra moments making memories with my girls, and taking care of our home so it is a refuge for all who enter in.
God is teaching me to just take a few moments each day to be thankful. Thankful for even the hard things. For the small things. For the great things. There is ALWAYS something we can be thankful for.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Audrey's Pregnancy
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Saturday, June 1, 2013
Merry-Go-Round
How often do we stop and just take in what is going on around us? Do it, right now. Take a deep breath and really look at what is going on around you. Stop. Smell. The. Roses.
Hard to do, huh? I usually have the non-stop chatter of my 2 1/2 year old ringing in my ears, which doesn't allow much time to stop and think for myself. Let alone stop and really notice life around me, as it is spinning so fast I can barely hold on to merry-go-round I seem to find myself on. Round and round life goes. Sometimes spinning so fast I don't know when or where I am supposed to get off.
Can you relate?
This past week, though, Kayla has been at her grandpa and grandma Kovanda's house for a week of "Granny Camp" with her cousins. What fun they had!! So, Audrey and I had a lot more quiet time. Plus a whole car ride to Missoula by ourselves, of which she slept most of the way.
Gave me time to pause that merry-go-round and get off for a bit. I gathered my thoughts again. Gained a bit of focus again.
I love being a mom. I love my kids. I am so blessed that I get to be a "stay-at-home" mommy. But how often do I miss the moments because life is going by so quickly? How often does my phone go off saying I have a text, phone call, or message I need to respond to? How often do I say to Kayla "just a minute, I'll do it in a minute." :)
Guilty. All too often. What would happen if I really stopped and lived in the moments more?
What would happen if I stop to give thanks for those moments. Even if they are hard, there is always something to be thankful for. After all, I have been given this life and those moments when I deserve death.
God has been working on my heart in this area.
It can be so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life and to miss the moments. To miss the opportunities to be thankful for the small gift right in front of me.
Thankful for the unending grace that He gives so I can start over each day. Sometimes several times a day. Sometimes several times an hour. Thankful that He isn't finished with me yet!
Here's to taking more deep breaths and being thankful for the moments, whatever they may be.
Monday, April 29, 2013
I Will Follow
Yesterday's sermon is still rolling around in my brain.
Comparison. How often do we find ourselves comparing? I don't know about you, but I do it often. I think it is a natural human response to life. Is it because we are a selfish race and naturally want to look out for "me?" In other words, I think it's that sin nature we fight daily. Hourly.
How often to I look at those around me thinking:
"Why do they get to do that?"
"Why did God bless them with that?"
"Why don't I get to serve in that way?"
"Why is this season in my life so different than theirs?"
"Why aren't they "serving"?
This is dangerous territory. Not only is this being judgmental, but all of the sudden, my mind gets away with me and before I know it, I'm all stressed out.
God has something different in mind. He has called each one of us in individual ways based on the gifts HE has given us. We are to use these gifts to bring Him glory. Not to decide where other people should or shouldn't be serving. That is between them and God. Not us and them.
As soon as I start comparing my life to someone else, my focus is immediately lost. Like Peter walking on the water towards Jesus. As soon as he took his eyes off of Christ, He started to sink.
God has called me to certain areas of service right now, for "such a time as these." For me, it is tending the home fires. Changing the dirty diapers, cleaning up the poop explosions and running load after load of laundry to wash the spit up out. If I choose, I can find the holy moments in the mundane. It is a choice though.
A choice to be joyful (not necessarily happy), in the task He puts before me. A choice to not look around to other moms who may appear to have it all together, or have their children learning their ABC's or numbers before Kayla has. A choice to look in front of me at what God has placed in my care:
A wonderful, loving, hard-working, serving husband and two beautiful, spirited daughters.
Lord give me wisdom, grace and patience for this time, and help me to keep my eyes focused on YOU.
Comparison. How often do we find ourselves comparing? I don't know about you, but I do it often. I think it is a natural human response to life. Is it because we are a selfish race and naturally want to look out for "me?" In other words, I think it's that sin nature we fight daily. Hourly.
How often to I look at those around me thinking:
"Why do they get to do that?"
"Why did God bless them with that?"
"Why don't I get to serve in that way?"
"Why is this season in my life so different than theirs?"
"Why aren't they "serving"?
This is dangerous territory. Not only is this being judgmental, but all of the sudden, my mind gets away with me and before I know it, I'm all stressed out.
God has something different in mind. He has called each one of us in individual ways based on the gifts HE has given us. We are to use these gifts to bring Him glory. Not to decide where other people should or shouldn't be serving. That is between them and God. Not us and them.
As soon as I start comparing my life to someone else, my focus is immediately lost. Like Peter walking on the water towards Jesus. As soon as he took his eyes off of Christ, He started to sink.
God has called me to certain areas of service right now, for "such a time as these." For me, it is tending the home fires. Changing the dirty diapers, cleaning up the poop explosions and running load after load of laundry to wash the spit up out. If I choose, I can find the holy moments in the mundane. It is a choice though.
A choice to be joyful (not necessarily happy), in the task He puts before me. A choice to not look around to other moms who may appear to have it all together, or have their children learning their ABC's or numbers before Kayla has. A choice to look in front of me at what God has placed in my care:
A wonderful, loving, hard-working, serving husband and two beautiful, spirited daughters.
Lord give me wisdom, grace and patience for this time, and help me to keep my eyes focused on YOU.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Audrey Rachel Kovanda
I have so many things I want to blog about, but I decided I needed to start with the birth of our second daughter:
Audrey Rachel
Born January 25, 2013 at 6:53am
6lbs, 10oz, 19 inches long
It all started with the flu the night before. Ben had been sick, and shared it with me. Wednesday night I wasn't feeling good at all. Mom had kept Kayla overnight to help us out.
I woke up Thursday with a lot more contractions. I started recording them. They were about 5-10 minutes apart, but much more intense. We headed up to Spokane around 3:30. Contractions slowed down as we were driving to Spokane (of course!), and sure enough, by the time they put me through triage, they said I wasn't in active labor, and wasn't dilated any more than maybe a 1 1/2.
They decided to admit us anyway because we actually had an induction scheduled for that night at 10pm. Baby wasn't moving much, so they decided to admit me and get some fluids pumping through me. We got checked into room 2036 around 8pm. They pumped a bag and a half of fluids through me and baby started moving a lot more. They said I was probably dehydrated from the flue.
At 10pm, they gave me the first does of antibiotics for my strepB. Around 11pm, the contractions started getting much more intense, but they were still 10 minutes apart.
The nurses changed around 1am, and my new nurse came in and said, "you look like you are in a lot of pain. I see here on your chart that you want an epidural. What are you waiting for?!" I looked at her and said, "yes, I am, and I don't know, let's get it!"
So by 1:15am, I got my epidural. Unfortunately, it went more to the right side, but it did provide some relief. I was still only a 2 at this point.
Around 4am I was having a lot more intense pain on my left side, and the anesthesiologists came back up and thought I might have had a bit of an epidural block, so he numbed me up pretty good. My entire right side was pretty much numb, but it really helped with the pain.
By 5am, I was dilated to a 4 1/2, so they didn't even start the pit! I was so relieved. By 6am I was dilated to a 7, but my contractions were only about 5 minutes apart. The nurse came in to check me, and said we would probably be having her in the next hour.
The nurses called Dr. Zwiesler, and he wanted them to hold me off until 8 because he had a meeting at 7, but they told him I was dilated to a 9 by 6:15am, and that there was no way I would make it till 8.
6:30am, he showed up, and even though I wasn't quite at a 10, he said "are you ready to have this baby?" I said, "I guess I better be since you need to be somewhere at 7!"
I gave 3 sets of pushes (he even had me do one without a contraction), and then I saw your head!! He coached me through a few more small ones (didn't have to push as hard), as he helped stretch me over your head. Dr. Zwiesler as SO AMAZING. SO CALM. It was a completely different experience with him than I had with the doctor that delivered Kayla.
6:53am-baby arrived! She let out a cry immediately. What a beautiful sound. One of the nurses later told me that all the nurses in the nurse station heard the cry and decided that baby was excited to be out! Ben cut the chord and they immediately put her on my chest. It was amazing. I just remember feeling so happy and blessed that you were out and ok! She was covered in the white stuff and her nose was really smashed since she had been head down for so long. She wanted to eat right away.
Dr. Zwiesler had to rush off for a meeting, but was so thankful that he was able to be there. It all happened so fast. I felt so good-I wasn't exhausted like I was after Kayla and I didn't tear like I did with her.
The nurses asked what her name was, and I immediately responded "Audrey Rachel." :)
They cleaned her up and it was so cute-they were having Ben pose with her, and taking all kind of pictures of us.
Dr. Fern stopped in around 8. He has asked to be invited to the birth, and we had let him know we were coming in the night before. He was shocked to see that we had already had her. We had a nice visit, and I was a little bummed he wasn't here, but it was so nice of him to come in and see us!
They wheeled us down the hall and Ben rang the bells to let everyone know we had our baby and we went to room 2011. It was the same recovery room we went in with Kayla! We were in our room by 8:30am.
Mom, Dave and Shelby showed up around 9:30. Dad stayed home with Kayla because she was sick.
Audrey was very alert and awake the first few hours, and then was very sleepy. Bridgett came with Kayla and the kids around 4pm, and Kerry and Nadeen also drove across Montana to be there with us as well.
Kayla was so good with her. Dad said the first thing she said when she got up that morning was "big sister out?" She wanted to come sit on the bed with Audrey and wanted to hold her.
Todd and Jamie came to visit too!
We went home the next day, after Dad and Mom came up to visit and Kerry and Nadeen came as well. We were out of the hospital by 1:00pm. A lot different than with Kayla!
The sun was just coming out by the time we got home and it was around 40 degrees!
Sorry this got so long-I just wanted to get it recorded so Audrey can read it some day!
Audrey Rachel
Born January 25, 2013 at 6:53am
6lbs, 10oz, 19 inches long
It all started with the flu the night before. Ben had been sick, and shared it with me. Wednesday night I wasn't feeling good at all. Mom had kept Kayla overnight to help us out.
I woke up Thursday with a lot more contractions. I started recording them. They were about 5-10 minutes apart, but much more intense. We headed up to Spokane around 3:30. Contractions slowed down as we were driving to Spokane (of course!), and sure enough, by the time they put me through triage, they said I wasn't in active labor, and wasn't dilated any more than maybe a 1 1/2.
They decided to admit us anyway because we actually had an induction scheduled for that night at 10pm. Baby wasn't moving much, so they decided to admit me and get some fluids pumping through me. We got checked into room 2036 around 8pm. They pumped a bag and a half of fluids through me and baby started moving a lot more. They said I was probably dehydrated from the flue.
At 10pm, they gave me the first does of antibiotics for my strepB. Around 11pm, the contractions started getting much more intense, but they were still 10 minutes apart.
The nurses changed around 1am, and my new nurse came in and said, "you look like you are in a lot of pain. I see here on your chart that you want an epidural. What are you waiting for?!" I looked at her and said, "yes, I am, and I don't know, let's get it!"
So by 1:15am, I got my epidural. Unfortunately, it went more to the right side, but it did provide some relief. I was still only a 2 at this point.
Around 4am I was having a lot more intense pain on my left side, and the anesthesiologists came back up and thought I might have had a bit of an epidural block, so he numbed me up pretty good. My entire right side was pretty much numb, but it really helped with the pain.
By 5am, I was dilated to a 4 1/2, so they didn't even start the pit! I was so relieved. By 6am I was dilated to a 7, but my contractions were only about 5 minutes apart. The nurse came in to check me, and said we would probably be having her in the next hour.
The nurses called Dr. Zwiesler, and he wanted them to hold me off until 8 because he had a meeting at 7, but they told him I was dilated to a 9 by 6:15am, and that there was no way I would make it till 8.
6:30am, he showed up, and even though I wasn't quite at a 10, he said "are you ready to have this baby?" I said, "I guess I better be since you need to be somewhere at 7!"
I gave 3 sets of pushes (he even had me do one without a contraction), and then I saw your head!! He coached me through a few more small ones (didn't have to push as hard), as he helped stretch me over your head. Dr. Zwiesler as SO AMAZING. SO CALM. It was a completely different experience with him than I had with the doctor that delivered Kayla.
6:53am-baby arrived! She let out a cry immediately. What a beautiful sound. One of the nurses later told me that all the nurses in the nurse station heard the cry and decided that baby was excited to be out! Ben cut the chord and they immediately put her on my chest. It was amazing. I just remember feeling so happy and blessed that you were out and ok! She was covered in the white stuff and her nose was really smashed since she had been head down for so long. She wanted to eat right away.
Dr. Zwiesler had to rush off for a meeting, but was so thankful that he was able to be there. It all happened so fast. I felt so good-I wasn't exhausted like I was after Kayla and I didn't tear like I did with her.
The nurses asked what her name was, and I immediately responded "Audrey Rachel." :)
They cleaned her up and it was so cute-they were having Ben pose with her, and taking all kind of pictures of us.
Dr. Fern stopped in around 8. He has asked to be invited to the birth, and we had let him know we were coming in the night before. He was shocked to see that we had already had her. We had a nice visit, and I was a little bummed he wasn't here, but it was so nice of him to come in and see us!
They wheeled us down the hall and Ben rang the bells to let everyone know we had our baby and we went to room 2011. It was the same recovery room we went in with Kayla! We were in our room by 8:30am.
Mom, Dave and Shelby showed up around 9:30. Dad stayed home with Kayla because she was sick.
Audrey was very alert and awake the first few hours, and then was very sleepy. Bridgett came with Kayla and the kids around 4pm, and Kerry and Nadeen also drove across Montana to be there with us as well.
Kayla was so good with her. Dad said the first thing she said when she got up that morning was "big sister out?" She wanted to come sit on the bed with Audrey and wanted to hold her.
Todd and Jamie came to visit too!
We went home the next day, after Dad and Mom came up to visit and Kerry and Nadeen came as well. We were out of the hospital by 1:00pm. A lot different than with Kayla!
The sun was just coming out by the time we got home and it was around 40 degrees!
Sorry this got so long-I just wanted to get it recorded so Audrey can read it some day!
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