This is where I have been

Some of you may have read my post on potty training and my relationship with God! Well let me share with you where we are on that front, here in the Pomerleau household!
I praise God for those people who constantly remind me as a mom not to get too crazy about the 'right' time, the 'right' way,etc. As you may remember our first attempt of 'training' Luke didn't get to completion and that was simply because he wasn't quite ready. So I decided to wait... and then this is how it happened.

It was a nice, hot day and we were going to head out to the pool. Since mommy was busy dressing Gabriel for the event, Luke decided just to get himself dressed. In so doing he forgot to put on his little Swimmer diaper. I reminded him and he said 'No mommy, I don't want to wear that'. I quickly got ready to get very motherly and say 'luke...listen to your mom...we need to put this on...blah blah blah'. Instead the thought occurred to me that this may be another opportunity to try the potty thing. After all, it would be so much easier this summer just to teach him how to go over in our 'potty corner' by the pool (boys SURE have it easy in this department). Anyway...I gave him the choice to 1) put on the swimmer diaper or 2) not wear it BUT have to go pee the way big boys do when at the pool (the potty corner). He said he would go pee like a big boy.
With that, we proceeded to the pool and had a great time playing and swimming. AND...Luke enjoyed a very successful day going pee 'like a big boy'. Both in the corner and on the toilet! Praise God that has continued with a few accidents here and there, usually when we are in an unfamiliar setting or there is just so much going on and I'm not able to catch him in time. He really is doing well. I concur with other moms who said 'wait for the summer...it's so easy to just let them run around naked while they learn'.
In terms of the big ol' BM on the toilet...well, he did that one time but I don't think he knew it was coming! That was great...unfortunately the next time he had to go his belly must have been a bit sick b/c (without going in to unwanted descriptives) he was crampy and having some 'blow outs'. So...now we are on day 3 with no poop...I think this part may take a bit longer. That's okay though...
I have to admit I am enjoying this sense of a small piece of freedom almost being handed back to me. Not a big deal right now because I am still changing Gabe's diapers...but hey...to be down to just one in diapers...that's starting to feel good.

So...three cheers for Luke, and you know what? three cheers for MOM...I could've pushed the issue a couple of months ago and I think if I had...there would have been trouble! So, too any moms who are feeling a bit "why isn't this happening yet?"...give it some time!

Thank God for the smiles!

It is just one of those days where it does me good to stop and reflect on the smiles from my three boys! May tomorrow be a day of many smiles!

P.S. I am hoping that the pics I uploaded are on this post...though I don't know where they are at the moment. So, Leigh I will probably need you to give me a blogging with pictures 101 tutorial if you don't see any pictures.
Here goes nothing!

Just stuff

Just a little peek in to what's been going on in the Pomerleau household. We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. We have a wonderful friend who bought a 'camp' (camp is a bit strong... it is a 3 br house on a beautiful lake...but we call it camp). Anyway, Chris and his brother are in charge of the upkeep, etc and for that we have open invitation use of this wonderful place. We LOVE IT! It is the ONE place we can truly get away. The boys love it because they truly get mommy and daddy's undivided attention b/c nobody can get to us (except the few who have the house number...our cell phones don't work out there). Anyway, over the weekend Luke became a great fisherman, Nicholas conquered his 'fear' of tubing. Last year he had gone tubing with Daddy and the tube flipped over and so he went in the water (he wasn't going fast)...for my more reserved Nicholas this was enough to keep him from wanting to tube any more after that last summer. So...we head out on the boat and I felt like I watching him fight back the feeling of fear and he said "Mom, I'm gonna' go tubing now". And he did...oh I was SO proud to see how proud he was that he just did it. He had huge smiles (though they were a bit like those i' m terrified but having fun smiles). Needless to say he went tubing a couple of other times...one of those times neither mom or dad were out on the boat...he was with his aunt and uncle. Well, that was neat to see...oh I LOVE to watch my kids work through life things and I praise God for His hand in their life. What else...well, true to the Pomerleau family fashion, we did have to take one trip over the weekend to the Emergency Room. Middle of the night, Gabriel's second night of not sleeping well AT ALL, trip back in to town to visit our favorite ER, motrin and ear drops. That was our outing and thankfully Gabe did sleep better.

Since our time at 'camp' we have been busy at home. Gabriel is in a most exhausting stage of wanting to be literally attached to mommy at the hip! Very hard right now...but still as cute as ever. He is right on the edge of being able to crawl around on his own. I am hoping once he figure that out that maybe that will help it?! Who knows...
Luke had a bug bite over his eye that swelled up SO huge...his eye was practically shut! Oh when I looked at him I wanted to chuckle and cry at the same time.
Nicholas...this is a favorite of mine right now. He LOVES to wear tank tops. But what's great about it is that more often than not he gets things a bit mixed up. He lets me know in the morning "MOM...I'm going to get dressed. I think I am going to wear a TOP TANK today". Too cute, huh?

Alrighty...should REALLY get to bed!

More than a bike ride!

Today is my husband's birthday. I hope on this day he was encouraged by how special he is to those around him. Today, I was reminded again of how blessed I am to call him 'mine'.

We had a wonderful evening, just the five of us. A scrumptious dinner and dessert and some gifts. After dinner and the clean-up we decided to head out on our first family bike ride of the year. I LOVE to ride a bike. When Chris was in school at WOLBI I rode often with Nicholas in the baby carrier seat and I so enjoyed it. I don't think Luke really got any riding time in that seat, but he certainly loves to ride his own bike now. This year I was so excited when we were able to head outside for some activity that did not require snow gear that I set out to do some serious bike riding with the boys. Anyway, where was I? Oh...we set out on our first family bike ride.

It was a beautiful night. Blue skies...oh, except for right over there...and as we set out from our driveway we hear thunder. My immediate thought is "oh...we shouldn't do this..stink...the boys will be so disappointed". Chris looked at me and says "what? let's go..." So...off we go! A little more thunder and then a crack of lightning..."ok...that's it...are we even safe out here?" Still, our fearless leader takes us further down the road to our destination. Did I tell you our destination is the nearest movie gallery where we had to drop off the last 3 discs of LOST season 3. It was great we could take care of that errand and have some family fun...except it meant we would be taking our first family bike ride on a route that included some heavy traffic areas, but sidewalks, too. However...I'm a little unsure about how the boys will do. We got to the busy street sidewalk and headed up a slight steady incline. Luke was a trooper...Chris riding between him and the edge of the sidewalk that borders a VERY busy main street in Lewiston. Nicholas, halfway up that road turns around and says "mom, this is CRAZY!" with the biggest grin on his face!

We almost make it to the end of this VERY busy street (I have only yelled out "Be careful...slow down...watch where you're going" a few too many times) and the rain starts. Thankfully the thunder and lightning haven't returned, but the wind had picked up. We pull in to the movie gallery and I think Chris is going to say..."Let's sit here and see if it passes quickly." Instead he runs in and comes back out...looks at me and again says "What...let's get going". So we go! This part of our route involves two fairly decent declines on newly wet pavement. I don't think I was breathing very well at this point. But, the boys don't even seem to notice the rain which was not a heavy downpour, but more of a light downpour if that makes sense? Gabriel was sitting behind me...laughing and giggling and clapping his hands!
We get to our street and the boys 'race' on home...thrilled at the time they had just spent. What a great activity.

This is what I took from that bike ride. Throughout the ride, even from the very beginning, I would see just the slightest opposition and was ready to retreat, ready to just play it safe. Chris, however, urged us on and thankfully we trust him enough to follow. I remember thinking 2, maybe 3 times, that what the boys were enjoying right now wouldn't have ever been if it was up to me. I remember thinking I wouldn't have even enjoyed this activity tonight if it was up to me. We accomplished our task, had some great time of teaching how to do a family bike ride, and had a blast while doing it (inbetween nervous yell-outs to "slow down" or "watch Daddy").

I am SO thankful that God has given me a man who will not just let me retreat. Someone who will urge me on, even when there's resistance. And how much greater for my boys...that they will be urged on to try new things, to see things as possible, and to have fun while trying! I am amazingly blessed that God allows me to be a part of and a recipient of something so wonderful... that is the gift of my husband, Chris.

So, yes...it was a family bike ride...but this ride included some moments of insight for me. Insight to my tendencies and insight to my husband's ways of complimenting those tendencies. Insight to how God took two people each with their own strengths and weaknesses and put them together in a way that I believe can be a tremendous blessing to our three boys if we continue to work together!

Aaaahhh...did you know a bike ride could do all that?

PAUSE

Yesterday, my pastor (also my dad) encouraged us a church as he shared about the pause he took to think on what God has done in and through our church over the last 35 days. Because of a guest speaker at the church he did not need to spend his usual 2-3 hours on Saturday night pouring over his message. So he took some time to pause and look back over the past month or so. He said, and I agree, that we so often get caught up with everything...going from event to event, ministry to ministry that we fail to stop and see exactly what God is doing in those ministries. Anyway, our church had had the privilege to have quite an outreach. In this span of 35 days or so we have interacted with and ministered to 1300 people, numerous nationalities, have spent thousands of dollars, put buildings up, roof tops on, cracked over 500 eggs (breakfast at a youth camp for the weekend), and more!! My dad/pastor shared this NOT so we could feel good about ourselves, not so we could say 'oh good...we're done for a while'...it was to encourage the church to keep on keeping on, to give praise to God who is using us and working in big ways, and to remind us that we are not here for US but for HIM!!!
So I encourage you (and myself) to take some time to PAUSE. Look over the last little bit in your own personal life, your family life, your church life...and take notice of what God is doing. But remember...after you hit PAUSE you must hit PLAY! Get out there and serve Him!

The All-American Past Time and my boys!

Baseball...it is such a wonderful sign of spring!! I grew up watching and playing many sports with my brothers, my father, my uncles, my grandfather's, and cousins. Of course I did the most with my dad and brother's. We played sports outside, inside, with nerf balls, with hard balls, even with balloons!!! Four-square, football, basketball, tennis, soccer, figure skating, badmitton, and of course...baseball! I grew up loving the NY Yankees. In fact I still love the Yankees (though I will cheer the Red Sox on as well, unless they're playing the Yankees). GASP!!
My dad loved baseball. Loved to play, loved to watch it on t.v., and loved to watch his boys play. He didn't love umping his boys' games as much, though... oh those fans were awful!!! He passed on the love of the game to his two son's. I remember them getting so excited for little league. They would get their batting gloves, they would play hours of wiffle ball, and they would call the games as we would watch them on t.v. I distinctly remember laying on the floor, watching a game with Josh and we would try to call the pitch before the ump. Then their was the morning ritual of the sports page. NO JOKE...my brothers read this like their Bible!! They memorized the stats and they could tell you anything you needed/wanted to know about the current season...and how that differed from the season before...and what that would mean for the season ahead!! Of course, we all had our own binders FULL of baseball cards...and we would take them with us everywhere, because you never knew when it would be a good time to make a trade. I loved my Don Mattingly, Ricky Henderson, Ryan Sandberg (who I was in love with), and Greg Maddux..there were others (my memory of who was who is not quite like my brothers). Anyway...they really loved baseball!
Well, I am a mom of 3 boys...and so baseball is something that is often played and talked about and watched. I think one of the first songs my parent's taught Nicholas was "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"!! Nicholas is already an amazing player. He hits well and is really coming to understand the game this year. Luke has grown immensely over the past year. Last year it was the painful 323 pitches before he would finally 'hit' the ball. This year...he can connect quite often. He loves to run the bases...of course the bases are wherever he is running at the time. He loves to catch! He got his own glove for his birthday and he LOVES to crouch down with it and be the catcher (just like his Aunti Abi).
My dad got to take Nick to a baseball game while Chris was in Haiti! I must tell you it was one of those special moments...for my dad AND for Nick. Big smiles and baseball stories Nick had to share when he got back. Oh how it blessed my heart to see my dad sharing with my son just as he did with my brother's.
Well, for the past week my boy's have been doing something that I KNOW will make their grandpa and uncles proud. And, again, seeing this connection passed on to my boys warms my heart in an inexplainable way. Anyway, they now like to see if the Red Sox are on the radio at night (who else would be on Maine's radio). And if they are...that is what they listen to as they drift off to sleep! PRECIOUS!!
You know, I do believe God gives gifts in many ways. Take baseball...a game that many play and many watch. A game, however, that holds an amazing connection that I see and that, yes, I hold very dear. For in this game I have experienced another piece of what it can mean to be FAMILY!!! Thank you, Lord!
P.S. Baseball glove: $15.00 Single game Right Field Box Ticket to Red Sox game: $50.00
3-year old Luke falling asleep to Red Sox on radio with baseball glove on hand: PRICELESS!

Grandpa, Uncle Josh and Uncle Dan...you have passed on much more than a game!

Where I've Been

Sincere apologies to any of my readers who try to keep up with what may be going on in my world...to many it may appear NOTHING has been going on. Well, first let me assure you that is NOT true. My husband was gone for 10 days (11 sleeps as my children say) on a missions trip to Haiti. During that time I had some real fun times with family and friends, I had the opportunity to teach my kids how THEY can be involved in missions by prayer, I had medical issues with all 3 of my children (of course), and I had the opportunity to depend on God as I entrusted my husband to him in a special way for those 11 sleeps. I am SO grateful for the precious moments I was able to have with my 3 boys, and I am SO grateful that God has given me a husband who loves me and is a father who is present and a help!!!
After the Haiti trip I had kindergarten registration/screening for my first-born child!! Nicholas passed with flying colors and mom almost failed. If the room I had to go do my paperwork in was empty I would have dissolved in to tears. However...I quickly regained composure and did my motherly duty as I told this school all about my child. It is an exciting time but SUCH an overwhelming time as I prepare for this FIRST in his life and mine! More to come on that in the future (far too near future for me).
Besides that...laundry, bike rides, baseball games, American Idol, laundry, grilling out, LOST (my hubby and I have watched seasons 1 and 2 and are in the midst of season 3), Arbonne business, and washing the car...more of what I've been doing as we here in Maine get ready for summer!! It has been very nice here with sun and warmer temps...keep it coming Lord, please keep it coming.
Well...just a quick re-cap of where I've been! I've missed you...have you missed me?

"He eat me mommy"

I love, love, love, love getting in to the mind of my boys as they share their perspective of what is going on around them. My three year old, Luke, shared his perspective on a little foul play that occured to him while playing at his preschool. We were sitting at the table tonight with my parent's and their two remaining kids at home (my youngest brother and sister) and my mom was sharing today's woes at the preschool/daycare she directs. There was a biting incident and the kids started sharing their war stories. Luke perked up and said (of a day that happened quite a while ago) "Mommy, remember when he EAT me? He eat me right here on my cheek. Why he EAT me mommy?" Luke just didn't seem to understand why some little boy would find his cheek to be something worth trying to eat. :)

Pay Attention

So I am a sucker for drama/chick flicks, etc. And tonight I cried and laughed (all by myself I must add) with the movie "Griffin & Phoenix". Not that it is the best of all movies or anything, but I did enjoy it...and something that stuck out to me...

I did so many things for the last time and I didn't even know it...but this I have done and I paid attention (emphasis mine).

I want to PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Old TV Flames

I have a friend, LULA, who possesses a certain quality that endeared me to her...her love for TV. Yes, I agree there can be too much TV and that there is a whole lot of TV that is just plain ol' trash...BUT...I am grateful for those moments when I can sit down and be someone else for 30 minutes or more.
Lula just shared some of her TV loves and she inspired me to do the same. So, I proudly introduce to you my old TV flames.

1) The Cosby show...oh my goodness I loved that show! I would laugh so hard when Cliff would roll his eyes in his special way...and I loved the scene when the Hugstable family sang for their grandparents anniversary...and what about Denise and all her crazy life adventures...Theo and his earring?...Kenny and Rudy and their friend, you know the fat boy who would always run out and barely talked...oh so many memories. I wish I could sit on the couch and watch 1/2 hour of the Hugstables with my kids just as I did with my parents

2)Growing Pains...Mike Seaver...is there anything more to say?

3)Family Ties...loved loved loved Alex P. Keaton...my all time favorite was when Alex and his current wife (can't remember her name on the show...Ellen?), anyway when he found her at the train station to tell her he loved her and the song "What Would You Do..." (not quite sure if that is the title, but if you watched that show you MUST know what I'm talking about

4)West Wing...incredible dialogue, and I love Washington D.C.

5)Alias...did y'all know they based the character of Sydney Bristow on me? LOVED HER! I always thought it would be nice some days to sneak away from 'mom world' and go kick some butt like she did...and for my country!!!! I was SO sad when that show ended.

6)24...thanks to my brother Dan I am a 24 follower...although, thanks to the good ol' writer strike I have not seen any of that action since last May! What an amazing writing staff...all the twists and turns...Chloe is the BEST...and when they shot Milo standing only feet away from him, right in the head...you could hear me gasp a mile away! My plan is that they should jsut go ahead and do double seasons. A fall season (that I should be in the midst of right now) and then a Jan-May season. We shall see...24 come back to me!

7) Currently, thanks to my dear friend Lula, I am LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember when I saw the previews for this new show called Lost...I really thought it was not going to be anything I loved. Thank you, Lula, for showing me the light...I am a people person and LOVE character development on TV, and that is totally what LOST is about! I LOVE IT...I just started watching this season, which I believe is season 3, but my husband and I have started at season 1 and are trying to get caught up (though I have to say that doesn't make me feel any more FOUND).

Well...that are a few of my favorites...and only one am I currently able to watch. I enjoy TV...and I LOVE to watch it with comfortable friends :)



5)

April Fools, Paper Airplanes and more

So, I don't know what my problem is...but my creativity for blogging is just not there. At the end of the day I sit down and try to concoct (sp?) something up that will sound witty, inspiring from my day to share with y'all...and nothing comes.
I think I have put too much pressure on myself to have a witty blog...so I am making a disclamor at this point. For readers ONLY interested in reading witty and inspiring blogs...look elsewhere! HA!
You know I think some of my trouble is that April 1st in Maine was a total day of snow. Thankfully only bits of it stuck to the ground and trees, but still...I am SO over winter!! It has been a great one, with PLENTY of opportunity for the boys to play and experience snow and ice and all the great things that can come with it...but it is time to be SPRING!!
Anyway...my moments of bliss today were given to me by my children. My oldest son is a definite student by nature. He studies people, situations, etc. and unlike his mom after seeing something only once...he then can wonderfully execute and apply it. Apparently he did a bit of that over the last two days. I picked him up from preschool this morning and one of his teachers says to me "Nicholas got me with an April Fools joke today." This is how it went.

Nicholas: "Miss Ann, I don't like cheese pizza anymore"
Miss Ann: "You don't?!"
Nicholas: "April Fools" with the biggest grin apparently.

It was funny how PROUD I felt at that moment...can't even really explain why. Well, Nicholas spent the rest of today April Fooling us (even though he knows April Fools Day was yesterday as his dad informed him). Now, I never mentioned April Fools yesterday, mostly b/c it ended up being a very serious day for Chris and I concerning a situation...but Nicholas, in observation of people around him, watched and learned. Too cute...though a great reminder to me as a parent how much a child can pick up simply by watching the world around him/her.

And my other moment of bliss came tonight while I was feeding my 7 1/2 month old Gabriel. Chris had gotten Luke a Curious George book and at the end of the book it gave a demo on how to build a paper airplane. So...I decided to have that be our 'late night' activity. I built them an airplane (dad wasn't home so they had no choice but to have mommy be the builder) and then they spent 15 minutes having a BLAST of a time. I just sat back and smiled as they came up with their airplane games, laughed with each other, amazed themselves with how far they could fly their planes, etc. For me it was just one of those simple childhood memories that I was SO thankful my children could share in.

Well, that's it from this non-witty blogger!
Later!

A Blessed Easter

Easter is my absolutle favorite time of celebration. It is just the most thrilling thing to think of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ...for ME!!!
Our Easter Sunday started at 5:00a.m. as we got up and bundled up (it was like 17 degrees here in Maine) for our Sunrise Service. It was cold...but it is such a time of reflection and definitely starts my morning looking in the right direction. From the cemetery where we have the service we came home and hosted a quick but scrumptious breakfast of eggs, bacon, waffles and fruit. YUMMY!!!!!!! Out Easter worship service was a wonderful time of music and a wonderful message entitled "Salvation In Christ Alone".
Our day then continued at my parent's home where we spent the afternoon, kids playing, Chris fixing things (as usual), and the preparation of a incredible Easter meal. We had ham that was to die for, and cheesy potatoes (my sister's specialty...we missed her and Ben and Dan and Josh), and asparagus(yum), corn, sweet potatoes, and of course some rolls. It was one of the best meals I've had in a while...it was SO good!
Anyway, that was Easter with the Pomerleau's. I trust you all had a blessed one as well!

Thank You Jesus

I realize today, as I have reflected on the crucifixion of my Savior over 2000 years ago, that there is a part of me that wishes I could do something to 'make up' for what Jesus had to do for me. I mean, what a sobering thought that a perfect, sinless God-man loved ME...such a imperfect, sinful person....enough to be obedient unto the death of a cross. Yet, there is nothing I can do EVER to repay Him. I can only give back to him out of the overflow of gratefulness for all He did for me. More amazing still is that HE himself will give me the power to live in a way that pleases Him.
I pray that this burning desire to please Him because of the sacrifice He made for me is one that has been strengthened today and one that will burn greater, so that He may be glorified. I now realize I must pray that I am never seeking to repay Him,however...for who am I to think I could ever do anything that would be even the lowliest of payment. IT IS ALL OF HIM...HE LOVED ME...and all He desires is that I live out the gratefulness I have.
I praise God that on a day like this, a truth that I have known He makes fresh to my heart...so that I am constantly reminded of who I am and who He is! Holy is the Lord God Almight! Thank you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, for my sake. I'm forever grateful!

Potty training and my walk with God

Who knew I could get a picture of my relationship with God as I work to potty train my son. My adorable, fun-loving, almost 3 year old son Luke...I enjoy him so much. Well, I have been looking for the 'right' time to start to potty train him as he approaches his 3rd birthday. I was not convinced that he was quite 'there' yet, but we decided to give it an honest attempt. He worked very hard with me, earning those stickers and m&m's (one for just sitting, three for going pee, and five for the big ol' poop). He really didn't fight me on it, which if I'm honest, I expected him to do. Yet, after two days of what felt like living in the bathroom, and two days of a definite increase in laundry(after the first 3 'accident's ' in a matter of an hour I wised up and let him run around in just the underwear we were wearing during this experiment so as to not have to wash 15 pairs of pants)...well, after all of this I have decided that my little guy just isn't quite there. He's got a jist of it all...but definitely not the whole jist of it. We praised him for a good try, for practicing and have told him that we will have another practice time again...I will wait to see when that time will come again.
How does that give me a picture of my relationship with God? Well, first of all, God never has to wonder if I'm ready for something He wants to share or do with me. He knows me PERFECTLY as He is the One who created me. He longs to reward us for even the smallest of 'achievements', and is so patient with us when he 'mess up' (pun intended). I was quite tired both mentally and physically as I focused in on this one area of Luke's life while trying to attend just as well to the other normal facets of his and his two brothers' lives. Oh and how inadequate I felt. I wanted to be able to give so much time and energy to him in this while giving the same time and energy to everyone/everything else. I'm exhausted again, just writing about it. But how encouraging to me, as one of many children of God, that His time with me is never lacking. His attention to my every detail is never lacking. His awareness of what I need exactly when I need it is so keen. HE IS THE PERFECT PARENT.
I pray that I will attack what He has for me with the same enthusiasm that Luke did for what I had for him. I have all the tools needed in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and in His Word that I must read over and over. Success is guaranteed...I am more than a conqueror, I am on the victory side...I just need to get doing it!

I'm going to be an AUNTIE!!!!!

Hello! I have great news to share! My sister and her husband are expecting a baby...and I am going to be an auntie again! I am so excited, however it is somewhat bittersweet because my sister lives in North Carolina. I want to be a part of this amazing time SO badly, so if anyone has tips or ideas on how to do that...please let me know! Of course, I will be on the phone often...and I will be there for when that baby comes (well, that's my plan).
I am SO excited...my first sibling to have a baby...HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!!
Love ya' sis!

Breathing

When I last wrote I shared that I was in the 'crazy spin zone' and was just wanting a moment to breathe! God is so good. This past Sunday morning I was so encouraged as I sought to worship my maker, the God of this universe. I have the great privilege to lead the praise team and music for Sunday mornings and I had so prayed over the music for this particular Sunday; because it was such a cry of where I was in my life. I also have the great privilege to be taught the Word by my own father every Sunday. This Sunday I felt like God allowed the service to be specically for me (though, thankfully I am not so self-centered to think it was really for me...) Anyway, my dad was teaching on the Flood. As we studied the text, my dad pointed the application to the times of "flood" in our lives, whatever that may be. He opened and closed the message with the passage in Isaiah 43:1-3 which says:

"...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God..."

As my dad concluded the message and read this passage I gave whatever pieces of 'life' I was holding on to over to God and I began to cry, but I also began to breathe!! I am so grateful for the Word of God that knows exactly when, where, and how to get us where we need to be gotten.
So...my week has been crazy still, but I am breathing as it goes.

Be Still and know...

Do you ever just feel like it's all just too much...that you would give anything if your 'world' would just stop spinning for one brief moment so you could catch your breath...I realize that this sounds quite dismal (nice word, huh?). Seriously, though, I find myself over these last days spinning and just when I think I'm going to get a chance to regroup...well, it doesn't happen. What is the answer for this? I know that what I need is to simply Be still and know that He is God. These are the times where I am so grateful that I serve a real and sovereign God who is in control when I am just NOT!!! :) I hope for anyone else who may be in that 'crazy spin zone' that you know the God who is in control, because if I didn't I sure would be a mess!
Anyway, a quick update...life in the Pomerleau household is a tad crazy, or so it feels. Kids are sick, schedules are full, and yet...we are blessed with little ones who remind us of enjoying the simple parts of the crazy days! Like my almost five year old who had a discussion with me about what to do in an emergency...very candidly and seriously he and I worked out what the plan is, who to call, what to say, etc. He was SO proud to have a discussion like that with me. And my almost three year old who stops me often during the day to just say "mom, I want you to hold me"...and I love those moments. And my six month old who is just so intrigued and happy with his own two feet! Praise God for my children who help me breathe in the enjoyment of this life that God has given.

...and more snow

Hello, hello!! Well, the snow has begun to fall as we head in to yet one more winter storm. This one will have snow, then sleet, then freezing rain! Leigh Anne I wish I could send some to you (just the snow, you don't want the ice stuff)! And, of course...I forgot baby cereal when I was out earlier so I just had to run out to good ol' 24 hour Walmart and grab some!! Certainly didn't need to be snowed in with a hungry 6 month old growing boy!!
So, what are we going to do with this storm...maybe get a chance to play outside...but more likely we will be snowed in as a family, next to the fire, playing games, eating food, wrestling, making Valentines and more...that really doesn't sound too bad does it.
Well...goodnight!

Snow, Snow, and more snow!

We are in a winter wonderland! It has snowed almost each day of this past week and we are at the beginning of another storm that is to head in to tomorrow!! Snow is EVERYWHERE! Though we have had snow on the ground since...well, since winter got here I think...this week the snow has come with newness. My boys woke up one morning, looked out the window and said "Look at the snow...it's Christmas!!" Precious! I have not been the biggest fan of winter weather, but I can definitely say that this year I have come to love it while I'm in it...and it is a gift from my kids. I have loved playing hockey on the ice with my boys, or going sledding, seeing their wonder as they stick out their tongues to catch snowflakes, and seeing their pride as they help Daddy shovel while also trying to get him with snowballs! And then, the other day, we filled up our front yard with snow angels. I have really had fun in the snow and I am grateful for the renewed appreciation that I think was there when I was a child.
Having said all of that...I would like a little more time left for hockey on the ice in Chris's brother's backyard (Nicholas just can't get enough of it)...but I wouldn't mind if this was our last big hoorah of winter! However, this is still a bit early to be thinking winter is closing up shop.
Well, good night for now! I shall drift off to sleep soon while the snow falls through the night! And...I will awaken to a beautiful dumping of snow that may allow for a very quiet day as we worship the Lord with our church and then maybe just get to hunker down at home... just the five of us!

I am LOST

Well, I am an official member of LOST Island...and I am so excited! I certainly have more questions in my mind than answers, but I don't care...I am picking up with the Oceanic survivors and will accompany them on their way to rescue (or is it a rescue? hmmmm) And, I know this will age me, but I STILL love Charlie from Party of Five who now, on this Island, is better known as Jack!! LOVE HIM!!!!

If you are someone who enjoys a good drama I would recommend LOST. Thursday nights at 9 pm!!! I, for one, am thankful for this hour which will help me deal with the missing of my normal Monday night hour of 24!!!! I am trusting that CTU will be returning with more 24 in the future!!!
See you there!

So, life has been a bit busy...and as I try to figure out how to share any news we have had over the last two weeks I realize a few things: first of all, I can't quite remember it all...and secondly, I am quite sure it has been pretty standard!!! However, one of the highlights for our family was a two day get-away. We were able to head just 45 minutes away to a wonderful 'cabin' on a lake where we can just be the 5 of us. It is great...a beautiful cabin/house with everything one would need and even everything we don't need...our cell phones don't work out there and we LOVE that aspect!!! It is truly the one spot we can just be away. For me, it came at the perfect time as I had hit one of those points of mom exhaustion. While on our get-away, we were able to spend some time skating out on the ice, playing board games, snuggling in front of a fire, and just spending time together. It was wonderful...of course I didn't want to leave and I already look forward to our next get-away!! I praise God for our little place of refuge we can enjoy here on earth...until we get to our eternal refuge with Him in Heaven!!

Well, that is all for now...but I trust I will be sharing more regularly again...

My 3 sons!

I realized I needed to do something about getting some pictures on my blog. So, I did it... are these boys precious or what? I just had to share them with you, but of course I have to run and tend to the youngest of these three!! So...I hope to post something later! Have a great day!

DELIBERATE, part two

Okay...so today our ladies Bible study started up again at church. We are working through the Beth Moore study "Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy". Let me just tell you that I am so very excited to do this. I LOVE Beth Moore studies because she causes you to get deep in the Word and this study is certainly going to push me DEEP...YEAH!!!
The thing that 'got' me today was this... as you recall, yesterday the Lord laid a word on my heart...DELIBERATE...a word that sums up how I want to live my life. Well, as I am sitting listening to Beth Moore's study she challenges us all in terms of our lives in this "Babylonian culture" that we live in (I can expound on that if anyone is wondering what that means). Anyway, about our choices, our daily activities...and how we need to be DELIBERATE in our walk on this earth. If you are not being deliberate you 'run the risk' of being slowly, but surely, sucked in to the culture...anyway!!! Can you believe she emphasized the need to live a DELIBERATE life...I have to say...I am a little nervous about what God wants to show me and how He wants to grow me in this study...It is OBVIOUS to me that God is really wanting to do a work in my life considering this idea of a DELIBERATE life. How exciting...that God, the Creator of this Universe, the ALMIGHTY, cares enough to emphasize and confirm to me through this morning's video, that He wants to work in me so that I can lead a DELIBERATE life for His glory!!
Anyway...since I just wrote y'all about my word of the year last night I had to come back and share today's happening with you.
Thanks for listening...

DELIBERATE

So a word came to me in the shower (as do many of my profound thoughts, because that is the one place where I can be completely uninterrupted for the most part)...anyway, the word is DELIBERATE!!!! That sums up what I believe God wants me to spend some time focusing on in this year of 2008. I want to be DELIBERATE in my life...deliberate in my time with God, deliberate in my communication with friends and family, deliberate in the choices I make, etc. I want to redeem the time that God is giving me. I know not the hour or day when God will call me home and my time here on earth should count, not just for something, but should count for HIM!!!
Anyway...this blog will be one way for me to be more deliberate with my friends and family. The problem is, I am not sure how interesting this blog will be for you all, but I will attempt to find some interesting pieces of our life to share with you!
Until next time!

The simple things

I thought I would share one of those precious mom moments. This is not anything grand and amazing in terms of advice or ideas, but sometimes it is nice just to hear some other ideas and what is working for others. So...if you care to hear, feel free to read on. For any mom who is reading this I know you can relate to having many work projects you would like to get done yet not having the block of time to really do the job. Well, one of those projects I have wanted to do is wash down many of the walls in our home. Little fingerprints and splashes of who knows what was beginning to become more obvious and I was desperate to get on task. So I decided that since the temp was too cold for us to go outside yesterday, I needed to do an activity that got our bodies in motion. So, I gave the boys two options...a Christmas card project or washing walls. They chose the walls...and so we got our bucket, our sponges and washed away. We got some serious work done, which I was thankful for. Yet the GREATEST thing gained from this activity was watching and hearing my boys work together on a project, with such pride and excitement. Nicholas was so proud of his work and how high he could reach and Luke just wanted to do what his big brother was doing. Then as I was scrubbing away at a wall, I just stopped to hear them laughing hysterically with each other. They were having such a good time and it was so precious.

Again, this is not anything amazing, but it was one of those moments where mom felt productive... both in her job as mom and in a specific project. Don't be afraid to get your little ones involved in your 'work'...what is great is that they don't view the work with the same 'ugh' that we may...it is a chance for them to be a help, to take pride in an activity, and to really enjoy time together.

I'll give it a couple of days and then I'll try for another wash the walls activity!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! For me, I rang in the New Year with a sick child and screaming 4 month old. But you know what...after my moments of "why do I have to spend my New Years Eve this way" I realized that it was just a reminder of a tremendous honor that I have. I have the opportunity to continue on in 2008, and get better, at the greatest job of my life. The job of wife and mom!!! And so...I will work hard, play hard, cry hard, and pray harder...that I would be the wife and mom that God wants me to be. I have other areas to work on as well...and I am excited for this time of year where we have an opportunity to focus in again on the things that are important. I look forward to sharing in this year of 2008 with you all!

SIBLINGS

I just want to take some time to reflect on three of the greatest relationships I have been blessed with...my relationship with my siblings. This Christmas was such an exciting time for me as I awaited my brothers (Josh and Dan) and my sister (Abi -now a married sister) to return home for some good family time. Though the time is never long enough it was a time that was truly special.
It was a time for my kids to enjoy their 'distant' family. Luke can't stop talking about how Uncle Josh showed him how to dance...Nicholas talks about 'relaxing on Uncle Dan's lap' one night...Gabriel laughs every time he thinks of Aunti Abi sneezing (well...I don't know if he really does, but he sure laughed when he would see/hear her sneeze). My goal this year is to do real work to build these relationships that are there between my kids and their aunt and uncle(s), even though they are far away.
For me...I had the thrill of creating a gift idea for my siblings that helped express my gratefulness for their impact in my life. And I think I did a good job (for my level of imagination). I decorated a wooden box and filled it with scraps of paper. On these scraps I had written specific memories from our childhood. After our annual adult Christmas dinner out we went back to mom and dad's. I gave them their gifts and then we spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and crying about all that was in the boxes. It was TRULY special!
My parents did a great job and I know it had to be work. Not everyone I know speaks of their siblings in a positive way or with a relationship intact. I thank God SO very much that I have been blessed with three wonderful relationships that I pray will grow as we move on in our lives.
I love you Josh, Dan and Abi!