Cabin Fever? Already?

The other day I was walking into Elijah's Preschool and I ran across an article that was laying on the table. The title read, "How to Cure Cabin Fever: Ideas for the Little Ones" I was a little taken aback when I saw this and thought to myself, "ALREADY! The winter has just begun." As I continued to think about cabin fever, I began to realize that yes, normally by this time in the year people are looking for ways to get out of the house with their children. What can we do? Where can we go? I can't take another moment with these little ones! I have to go for a drive...go to McDonald's play land (GROSS me out!)...go to the mall...just SOMETHING....Somewhere...anywhere...

Yet...Honestly it's been a very mild winter (around here at least!)

Then...I began to think about my own life and pondering. Do I have cabin fever? Am I feeling cooped up? Am I getting tired of the children being under my feet? I came to these conclusions...

Cabin Fever, nope. Bored at times, yes, because I am still figuring out my hobbies. (You would think at almost 30 I would know what I enjoy doing in all my "free time") Getting tired of the children? Actually no. I have been enjoying just being able to be with them, play with them, cook with them, clean with them and just read to them. I was also realizing that I need to relax more...not less while I am "stuck" inside. It is hard for me to just sit and read, write, and relax.

Then I began to realize WHY...

2012:

• Started the business Kairos Enterprises LLC with another couple. A business set up to eventually fund missions.
• Bought a HUD House in April, our house church completely gutted it (I mean all the way down to the 2x4 walls) and rebuilt the entire inside. Moved into in October.
• Organized a trip for 19 people to Germany
• Went to Germany for ten days
• Started another business, Haven Property Management LLC, with another couple.
• Our first child started Kindergarten
• We switched Real Estate Companies
• We sold half of Revolution Builders Inc to Brent Hostetter (Very thankful for him and what he brings to the business)
• Bought a Four Unit Apartment Building through Kairos Enterprises LLC and worked really hard to get it completely rented out.
• Went to Indianapolis for 5 days
• I trained for a half marathon (That I did not end up running due to time. :( )

Needless to say, we are NOT getting cabin. In fact, this winter is MUCH needed for the Hurst household. Our kids needed to be with us and we needed to be with them. This winter has been fabulous...thus far.

Black and White

The older I get, I am realizing the more black and white I get. It is either this way or that way. There is no grey middle part. Do I think this is a good thing, no. Actually I know it can have its benefits at times, but for the most part it is not my best quality.
Take blogging for instance. In my mind I feel like I either have to blog EVERY day...or not at all. I put so much pressure on myself to be all in or I quit. It comes out in sports...Yes, I workout at least five days a week. It comes out in my parenting...Since Elijah is in gymnastics, I have to enroll Michayla in a sport, right? It comes out in my marriage... You name it, it tends to come out. Yes, I have grown a lot in it over the years...getting older, wiser...all that, but it is still a large struggle of mine.
So, here is to giving myself grace in my blogging and not being so hard on myself...and others...

P.S. Caleb is potty trained. We went from peeing in a diaper to peeing on the potty and wearing underwear in two days. I am so proud of that little boy!

New Year...New Goals...New Discipline...

Hey guys...I guess it's a new year. WOW did that come fast. I feel like just yesterday we were celebrating with our friends, Darryl and Kelly, the start of 2012. Well, we just celebrated the beginning of 2013 with the same friends, as we have for the beginning of the past 7 years! Tradition? I guess you could say that even though some of us are not too keen on traditions... :)
Kevin and I have set many goals as I am sure most of you have. As we were leading up to January, we began talking and processing what each of us were feeling were some of the Lord's goals for us in the upcoming year. It was fun to come to some of our own goals as well as very similar goals.
The one specific area we were feeling led in was to pursue more fasting as a couple this year. He will fast on and off, as will I, but it hasn't been very often that we have been a team in it. Of course, our flesh rises up and says a very exuberant, "NO!", but we continued to pursue what was on the Lord's heart for fasting. We can't fast food a whole year...THANK GOD! :) We went to visit Threshold on Sunday (It was awesome!) and Jeff spoke about many things concerning the new year, but one area specifically was fasting. OK Lord, we got it...
Fasting brings our flesh into an alignment with the Spirit and what is on the heart of the Lord. Fasting helps us to hear the voice of the Lord in a greater way because it rids our flesh of a desire and our spirit rises up above our flesh. So...we asked the Lord what it is to look like for Kevin and I and how can we involve our children?
Here is what we are doing this year. We made a list of 12 things we feel addicted to or areas we need to getting more disciplined in. For example, coming off the holidays our spending has been a little crazy. For the month of January we are on a spending money fast. Other than things we absolutely NEED, we are not spending money. At the end of the month our hearts are to ask the Lord what is on His heart for the "extra" money that was not spent. I am excited to hear his answer!
Are there areas that you need to be more disciplined? Ask the Lord...and consider a fast...it will do wonders for your spirit...
Much Love!
Me

2012-10-31

Click here to view these pictures larger

Life here has been crazy to say the least. Just simply crazy. :) However, there is grace...always the grace of the Lord to see us through no matter what season we are in. Here is just a brief snipit of what is going on in each of our lives. :)

Let's start with the youngest...Caleb. He is quite the one...almost two year old with such personality. He is probably my most cuddly kid. Always good at giving away hugs...and LOTS of kisses. Even wanted to kiss the YMCA staff lady the other day. She tactfully handled the situation and gave him a big hug. :) Honestly, he wants to be potty trained, but I am so not ready. We are moving in three weeks, transitioning him to a big boy bed when we do move...and I am a little afraid he will relapse. So, let's just wait big guy for a couple more weeks. :)

Elijah started PRESCHOOL! WOW! Do I really already have two children in school? Why yes I do...life just keeps moving on while I try to keep up. He goes to Willow Street Mennonite Preschool and loves it! It is only Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11am. It gives him just enough structure for this stage of his life. Here is a typical conversation when I pick him up.
Me: "How was school Elijah?"
Elijah: "Good"
Me: "What did you learn today?" (I want to make sure he is learning since I am paying for it right?)
Elijah: "Lessons"
Me: "What lesson did you learn?"
Elijah: "I don't know, just lessons."
Thanks for the details buddy. Guess you are a boy of few words when it comes to school. :)

Michayla started Kindergarten! We started her at Wickersham Elementary...the local public school. It was so hard choosing what avenue we were going to go for schooling. Let's just say deep down I had a peace that public school was the right thing, but man did I wrestle with it. I just assumed we would be out of the city by the time she started to school...and then the decision would have been easier, right? Send her to a country public school...better right? Not necessarily...The Lord has been speaking to me a lot about my expectations with schools. Needless to say, she is loving school, and I feel we made the right decision. Anywhere she goes we will deal with the typical attitude problems, etc. I need to trust the Lord with her and trust my parenting with her. She is doing EXCELLENT!

There is always a lot going on with Kevin and I as most of you know. :) The house we bought back in April is ALMOST DONE! We are going to be moving Oct 20...and we are so excited. I will hopefully post some before and after pics when the house is completed. It was quite the flip house...but looks amazing now!
Kevin is so busy with the business and real estate. He had five real estate transactions in two months and also started the largest project ever with Revolution Builders! We feel so blessed by the Lord in all that we are doing right now. He is so faithful!

I am fully enjoying life in this season. The Lord has really fulfilled my heart's desire when it comes to parenting. My children are such a joy and I am loving spending time with them, taking them to and from school, baking with them and teaching them new things. I could talk a lot about my heart for parenting and children...but maybe that is for a later post.
I am still working for Kevin and the business. Loving being able to partner with my husband in not only life, but the business world as well. It gives me time to have "grown up" conversations instead of just talking to my children all the time. :) We love working together in life. :)

Well that is all for now...I am going to enjoy my quiet afternoon while the boys sleep. :)

Buh bye...

Testing

Last night I was hanging out with a friend after the children were in bed, and we were talking about how to stay calm with our children when things just dont seem to be going well. Basically, we were both realizing that when we our spirits and emotions are chaotic, our children become chaotic. When we are uptight about something, it really does affect the children. Honestly, I was realizing that I have been doing a pretty good job at just staying "calm". You know...just taking life in stride. The whole concept of "Don't cry over spilled milk."
So of course, I was tested today on this very concept. It just seems like the children were way more on edge. Actually I was way more on edge which makes them way more on edge. They were wound up, getting into everything they were not allowed to be getting into, spilling anything that had liquid in it etc. And...I failed miserably. I felt like I was snapping every few minutes at one of them...or at all three of them at once. Then they cry because I got upset, then I feel bad because I made them upset...then we would "make up"...and the vicious cycle would happen again a few minutes later. You would think that I would get it and be patient with them.
So, this is what I realized through the process of my day...
1) I had MY agenda...you get in the way of MY agenda then GAME OVER! Seriously, I look back over my day and I did WAY too much...of what I wanted to do...and not near enough of what the children wanted to do. They were "in my way" most of the day. (That will make anyone on edge..adults or children...if they feel that coming off of you! Yuck!)
2) My children really did just need my attention...negative or positive. They were doing a lot of things "wrong" i.e. getting into things they are not allowed to...just to get my attention. Hello...wake up Lesley!
3) All the chaos is not worth it. Yes, I got a lot done, but was it worth it? Did I love my children today? Not the way that I would have wanted to. Did I welcome my husband home well? Definetly not! (Sorry babe!)
So...here is to life lessons...and the incredible grace of the Lord to learn and to love us in the crazy moments of life!

New House

Well this is old news to some...new news to others. Kevin and I are going to be moving to a new house. We bought a HUD house about three blocks away from us...back in April. To make a long story short...it needed completely gutted...it was gross! This is a dream come true for Kevin and I. We have been wanting to do a project like this, with our friends for quite some time. There about 9 guys consistently at the house on Saturdays working on it. There are many features about the house that I am excited about. It has a two car garage, a basement with 8 foot ceilings (So I can have a real workout room), second floor laundry and an open floor plan on the first floor...not to mention the HUGE yard for the children to have room to run. Yep...I'm excited!
Michayla is done with preschool this wednesday. Crazy that a year of schooling has already gone by. I will have her in kindergarten and Elijah in preschool next year. I know these years will go quickly, but I want to cherish them. I want enjoy this summer with all three of them. Lots in store...
Michayla, Elijah and Caleb will be spending two weeks with their aunt Erica and uncle Aaron in June, while Kevin and I go to Germany! We are excited to take this trip with our house church. We will be leaving June 14 and returning June 23. It will be a long time without our children...and I already cry at times about that, but I know that this trip is going to be incredible for the two of us. The children will have so much fun playing and hanging out with their aunt and uncle (And of course grandma as well!)