I got so stressed out during my online Lightroom class tonight that I almost started crying. But I hid it. I’m hiding it from you, too, how I’m really feeling these days. What we’re going through. I am not ready to bare all and pour things out in front of you guys. The time just isn’t right yet. Many thank yous to those of you who, knowing not what season our family is going through, are praying nonetheless.
I shaved my legs today. Yes, it is a noteworthy event.
It’s a sad but true fact that Nikon lenses aren’t advertised as being on sale anywhere nearly as often as Canon lenses are. But if you are a Nikon girl and are tired of hearing me rant and rave about my favorite little inexpensive portrait lens, have I got some news for you. The Nikon equivalent of my favorite lens is finally on sale!!
Grab the 50mm f/1.8 lens right here. We didn’t see the Northern Lights. Did you? I took the kids with me to get a car wash today. It was the first time we washed it in over six months for sure. We cleaned the inside, too, though that must be done more often. One of my license plate lights was out. I didn’t even know there were license plate lights.
Sometimes you feel like a nut.
Sometimes you don’t. I am slowly falling off the working out wagon. I am frustrated with myself. My knees are finally almost better, though. So I want to ease back into things again. But finding the motivation to start again is ending up to be difficult. If only I’d never hurt my knees to begin with, I wouldn’t have had this slow down. In a way, though, I can definitely see God’s hand in this. He needed me less preoccupied for these recent days, I think.
Flurry is jabbering up a storm all of a sudden. I told you he was in his explosion! Today he finally said “Mama”! He also said, “Get out” and “Dora” and “uh-oh” and “ow” and “door.” He has been a quiet little guy for quite some time. My how things are changing. He’s also joined the big boys for their nightly wrestle. He sure can hold his own, our little 17 month old. He jumps onto and off of beds and ottomans and brothers. Just like the others. Man alive are our boys physical, especially the youngest three. They literally run and bounce off the walls for much of the day. Ahh, to have their stamina.
I don’t, though. And I’m pooped. Goodnight!
Covering you sister. Our GOD is in control! Maybe you guys just need to move to Texas. It’s quite nice this time of year. A tad on the warm side (high near 70) the last few days. We have lots of room to roam down here.
Greetings on this Monday morning, Prayers continuing for your family. And just remember how good it feels to work out. Get that feeling back, it can also help with any stress you may be going through. . . . .so think of it as therapy! Just a thought
Boys ARE so physical!
Thinking of you all……
And thanks for helping us all realize we aren’t alone.
Life isn’t always easy, but hang in there. You’ll find out you are a whole lot stronger than you ever knew you could be! And for what its worth, even though I don’t “know” you personally, I believe you are an amazingly strong wife, and mother simply from what I read here everyday. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us all.
(((HUGS))) from the Midwest….
Ps….Congrats on the new healthy you!
Hang in there MckMama!
God knows every care, every worry, every struggle…and He cares. This world will make every effort to tear you down. When we are in the midst of the storm, it’s easy to forget that we are in the palm of His hand…but He never lets go! I think you have said that you are not that into music before (??) but David Crowder Band has some GREAT tunes that inspire me when I am in a difficult season(especially “All that I can say”)…who am I kidding, life IS a difficult season. Grace, mercy, strength, and wisdom for you…
I RAN A FREAKING 5K TODAY! My first ever
I thought you’d be proud or motivated 
I’m trying super hard to lose baby weight too, I know you already know 
Take a look at my Pic on my blog!! If the color run comes to your city I highly encourage you to do it!!!!!!
I have been a reader for a long time and have rarely commented but I sense a vulnerability that I have felt in myself many times over the years. If you are not speaking to a professional doctor about your feelings, you may want to consider it. You may need some additional support medically and/or emotionally. Prayer, love, and understanding help a great deal but you may need more. Don’t be afraid to explore and ask for help. I will keep you in my thoughts.
I’m reading between the lines a little, but I think I know what you’re going through…praying for you.
I am praying for you and your family.
I wrote out a prayer for you and your family.
I don’t know what your going through, but I can certainly throw some prayers
up to God for you and your beautiful kiddos.
hang in there.
Tara
Have you tried water aerobics? That works great for those suffering with knee pain and such. I had a knee replacement in November and did water aerobics leading up to that. Exercise in the pool puts less stress on it, yet you can still get a pretty decent workout.
My marriage is in a very difficult time right now too. We have been together for 20 years and married for 11 1/2 yrs of that. We have a 4 yr old son. I will be praying for your marriage as I pray for my own. Don’t give up on yourself. You have made so much progress towards your goal. Keep on keepin’ on. When you have weathered this storm you will be so glad you kept it up!
Much love and hugs to you!
I agree…must be that 10-11 year rough patch. Sometimes we forget the LOVE that made it all happen. I hope things turn around for you too.
God has a plan for your life. What your enemies use to destroy you, God will use to elevate you.
He is faithful.
Ha ha ha! Shaving your legs noteworthy!! Heck yeah it is! I almost updated my status to say the same thing! It means I got in a long enough shower to have a date with my razor!! And it is amazing how great my legs feel!! I know you feel my pain…I only have 3 under 4…including a little someone that turned 1 month today!! Keep hanging in there!!
I’m about to have my 4th… And I have to say, my legs don’t even get stubbly anymore. Haha. It just comes in soft! It’s like, they adapted to only a monthly shave! Lol. Big smiles for shaved legs! Really!
I’m sure sorry things are rough on you right now. I will keep praying.
Thank you for persisting in the class last night! You did an awesome job, convinced me that I LOVE Lightroom and got me very inspired!
I just encourage you to take time to be still and know. KNOW that He will carry you through. I wish we could have grace given in advance, but God intended that we didn’t get it till the minute we needed it….He will give you grace in His perfect timing….
Love the quotes.
Thanks so much for the lens post! I’ve been eyeing up that for MONTHS and at a savings of $100, today was the day.
I understand how stress changes priorities. I was on a terrific roll in 2010 and had lost 50 pounds. I went from January to October not eating much of anything that was processed. No sweets at all and no coffee. Then my mother died and my husband lost his job. Frankly I just didn’t even care about myself any more. Now that I’ve gained all of that weight back and eaten a diet that consist of the cheapest junk food we could buy…well I am quite disgusted with myself and I feel terrible physically. Getting back on the wagon is so hard once you fall off. Learn from my failure, don’t quit completely, you don’t have to be all or nothing, like me. Slowing down may be just what you need to do, but don’t let yourself go like I did.
Please don’t feel pressured to share details of what is going on. Just know that you are cared for and loved and we are praying for your family. Hang in there!
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you, He will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22
You can do it Jennifer! I pray for you and your family everyday, I love your blog and I know, that with God’s help, you WILL get through this!
Be strong and courageous. Do not dread or be in fear of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
what a great verse to send her way…and all of ours. Thank you.
Hugs & prayers for you!
Amy
Jennifer,
Don’t stop working out. I have knee problems too and exercising is a challenge. The recumbent bike is the easiest on my knees other than swimming. Keep on tryings and don’t give up. It’s so hard to start again when you stop.
I’ve been waiting for your next blog post, thinking something bigger is going on. Glad to read on Twitter that you at least had fun with friends and their kids.
I’m guessing you might have to move again, which would obviously be a huge deal. But usually that means you will find a better place. Wish I could come over and help moving, if that is what is going to happen! I love moving and decorating.
Fuhl’ Dich umarmt.
Hang in there. I have been on and off the workout bandwagon more times than I can count. Even if life is too crazy to get to the gym. Take a walk around with the kids and try not to splurge of calories. Easier said than done. Prayers are coming your way and hopefully things will soon be settled.
Don’t fall off the wagon now! I’m just about to climb on it! Partly because of you and partly because of me! I’ve got a LOOOOOOONG way to go but I can do it. I hope you can too!
Losing weight is all a mental game. Stay positive, you can do this. No matter how many times you fall down, never give up. And no matter the image staring back at you in the mirror, there is a healthy, fit person inside that is the real you.
“The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.” Remember to stay focused on the positives and just keep moving forward.
I love reading quotes, so I’m leaving some for you.
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”
“Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.”
“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.”
“God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.”
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
“This too shall pass.”
Things will get better, hang in there!
Well said!!
I want to encourage you during this difficult time. When things get so bad that YOU cannot possibly fix it that is when we get to watch God work. “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!” 1 Samuel 12:16. “Be still and KNOW that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 . My family is on the tail end of some awful stuff that included the possibility of being homeless, loss of everything including our church and close friends, and the shame of suffering publicly. I am here to tell you that God is so good. He Will see you through it. Hold tight to your husband and kids. You have been through too much already and have remained faithful. You are and have been an inspiration to so many of how to let God’s glory shine through your tears and pain. It can be difficult to “be still” in this world of do do do, but sometimes that is what is necessary to let God work miracles is our lives.
Good Morning Jennifer! I hope you are alright. Just know that we are all rooting for you and you can get back on the wagon. You inspired me too, I took my first pilates class in years yesterday!
As for the other stuff, I am praying for you. God bless.
You did a FABULOUS job teaching our class last night! I got SOOO much out of it. Even if you would’ve cried, we would’ve all just loved you even more. Wish I lived closer so that I could kidnap your kids for the day so that you could have a “me” day. Thank you for continuing to write on this blog. I would go insane if you ever stopped!
Be careful with your knees, I pushed it when I already had tendinitis and ended up tearing the meniscus and then had surgery, three years later had another surgery, only this time microfracture. Your knee is never the same once they have to go in there. Take it slow, when it starts to hurt back off, trust me you will be happy you did.
Simply praying…
Get back on the wagon! Get back on the wagon!
You are going to regret telling all of us about your working out endeavor… we won’t let you slide! 
I just bought Jillian Michaels’s 30 Day Shred. One of the movements is squatting a little, legs far apart, and doing boxing punches. She mentions it’s a great cardio workout for someone with any kind of lower body injury. Might also be good stress relief for you!
Good luck!
I am so sorry to hear about your difficult times recently. My heart and prayers go out to your family, wishing you the fastest possible recovery, whatever the situation may be.
I’m glad you have such a wonderful bright spot in your children. I didn’t realize how close your Flurry and my Flintstone were in age (Flintstone is 16 months). The energy and physicality is amazing, isn’t it?
Oooh, GET BACK on that workout wagon, girl! You can do it! You’ve come so far, don’t slow down now! No matter what else is going on in life, you can still have the satisfaction of knowing “I did my workout today”.
Also, praying for you and all of the other stuff (whatever it is). God Bless.
Tears well up in my eyes when I read that you are struggling. I’m so sorry that life isn’t the best at the moment.
I believe that God gives us all a gift to use to give Him glory… a talent/gift with which we are to make a difference. I also believe that your talent/gift is your voice. Your faith during your struggles is something I think that makes God so proud to call you His child.
You have no idea how many times a day I use something you’ve said to boost myself and help carry me on. There could be a problem with my retirement in December and instead of panic, I thought of how your faith kept you strong when Stellan was sick…. how God already knew what was going to happen and would be there with me, no matter what happens. Depression runs deep in my family and I didn’t grow up hearing the things you said during Stellan’s illness, words of hope and faith. You taught me how to turn to God for comfort. Your voice of hope during a low time was so beautiful.
I wish I could do or say something to give you the comfort like you’ve given me over the last few years. My gift is caring for the elderly… not words, unfortunately.
^This is so true. Your constant faith has encouraged many. And, made the evil one angry….as we’ve all ‘heard’ from other commenter’s. I’ve never commented but felt like I needed to this morning. I will be holding you up in prayer….and praying that you have others who will hold your arms up for you when you feel too weak and too burdened to. I pray that Jesus brings you to my mind often so that I’ll know when to send up some words to our Heavenly Father.
Love this Lynn!
Jennifer, I read your sight because I love your way with words, your photos, family adventures and it makes me smile each day!
God has used your gifts to lift me up many times. I want to thank you for that! I know you get not so nice comments sometimes but I’m here to say that I have a soft spot for you and your family in my heart! I will be lifting you up in fervent prayer as you make decisions in these coming days.
So, thank you for blessing us so many days. I don’t know you in real life but we have the same God and I have a fierce love for my sisters in Christ. I hope it gives you some peace knowing that so many of us are lifting your sweet family up in prayer.
*site* (need.more.coffee)
oh man, having 2 little boys has been so much fun, although honestly my 6 year old girl kicks there booty and you know what, HE loves it. I did find myself saying “if you are going to beat him up, do it in the other room”. no big deal except i was on the phone
I’m so sorry things are so tough just now. I’m praying.
I stopped by your blog yesterday to check on you and see how you all were doing. I had a huge need to pray for you after I got to your page…..so I did and will continue to pray for you and your family. Keep up the working out and push yourself in areas that will improve you….then some of the other areas will fall into place too. You have really done a fantastic job with working out and loosing weight and I think you will reach your goal. Just don’t give up…once you do for one thing, it will become easier to give up on other things….and that isn’t really what you want to do:)
I know, my Son #1 has so much energy. I wonder where it comes from. I find that to constantly keep myself motivated with working out is hard: that’s why I take taekwondo. There is a community of people who keep me coming back. Plus, I have learned great lessons there and have met wonderful people who are helping me weather my current storm. Just an idea for getting back on the working out wagon: group activities help due to the accountability factor.
Here’s something I think of very often…especially when life gets tough.
If God has let you to it, He will lead you through it.
And I know how helpless/hopeless life can leave you feeling sometimes. I hit a low myself this past week, but after every storm is a beautiful rainbow…..hang in there and wait for your rainbow, Jennifer!
Hang in there with the working out, you can do it!
Hang in there. You sound tired and almost like you’re giving up in this post. Keep on pushing on. You’ve got it in you!
praying for you and your family. hold on tight. God is in control. take comfort in that.
Hi Jen, ~ I’ll just share with you a little “helpful” that I jotted down for myself that gave a peace Jennifer to my need in a great loss and time of grieving. ~~~ “As we comfort those who grieve, let us be sure to remind them they are meant to see morning”. May this storm soon pass over Jen so that morning will be in clear view. This I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.
God Bless,
Barbra.
I’m so sorry to hear that your family is going through another difficult season. You seem to have had more than your fair share of painful circumstances thrown at you in the past few years! (Not to say that any of us deserve more or less pain than each other, since we are all sinners saved by grace…but you know what I mean!) I will continue to pray for your family – for strength and wisdom for you especially. May God surround you with peace tonight.