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!