7 Quick Things 2/21

1. We are finally on our own here at the Dennis house: My parents have come and gone and Kevin's Mom is back home, too. We loved having them, but now it's time to figure out the 'new normal' with a newborn in the mix. Elijah is doing well. He is starting to smile occasionally which is so much fun!

2. Last Thursday we took the kids to Cherry Berry to celebrate not having to show houses any more! (Did I mention that the family we are renting from sold their house?) The kids worked so hard so many times over the past year and a half, dropping everything to clean, organize, stage, and leave quickly for a showing. It has been so nice to not have to have the possibility of a showing in the back of my mind anymore!

3. The Lord has provided for us so wonderfully. We have a place to move to! A single man in our church is moving away and doesn't want to sell his house, so he has agreed to rent his home to us. It's large enough for our family and very close to our church, so we'll be saving some gas money, too! We found out recently that most owners of four-bedroom homes won't rent to a family of 10 (max of 2 children per bedroom), so we most likely would have had a hard time finding anything affordable for our family. Thank you Lord! We will move on April 24.

4. I am plugging away to finish my 2011 Bible reading plan. I have not been very consistent, but I'm not giving up! I probably have another two months until I'm able to complete the whole Bible. After that, I plan on delving into a few books of the Bible more in-depth with commentaries. There is so much I don't understand or know about God's word. It is so rich and deep--I think I'll spend my whole life learning more and more.

5. Now that we aren't receiving wonderful meals from friends that come with delicious desserts, and now that Valentine's Day is over, I am without excuse when it comes to getting serious about tackling my baby weight. Right now I have roughly twenty extra pounds, and I am asking the Lord to help me honor Him with my eating: for health, energy, and losing that extra weight. So often I don't think of eating as a spiritual issue. But it really is. It's about self-control and caring for this body so I can serve Him better.

6. While my Mom-in-law was here, I found myself self-concious about my impatient and unloving tone with the kids. This is not something new; I have struggled with this my entire career as a Mom. I think just knowing someone else was listening, too, made me more aware! I'm devoting myself to prayer about this and asking for growth in this area. One of the things that I love about Michelle Duggar is her calm and gentle voice with her children. I want that to characterize my mothering, too.

7. I'm reading a fantastic book right now. I could share so many different quotes that have encouraged me, but I'll just pick one.

When a friend gives a wonderful gift, it is right to examine and relish the gift. But it isn't right for the glory to remain on the gift itself, no matter how wonderful it may be. The focus belongs on the generosity of the giver....The gospel is good news for us, yes, but the goodness of this good news is not primarily about us or even our new identity. It is good news about him: his mercy, his faithfulness, his holiness and atoning sacrifice. It's a report about his great condescension as he traded his glorious identity for our shameful one. It's about his flawless character and infinite compassion. Even though he has become our life, the emphasis belongs on him, not on our identity, our sin, our standing, our successes, or even our joys. As wonderful as the gift of an entirely new, clean identity is, we won't spend eternity rejoicing in it. We'll spend eternity rejoicing in him. p. 61

Two Weeks Later

Most of these pictures are several days old, but I've not been good at picking up my camera lately. I had a bit of a health setback, but thank the Lord, I'm feeling better again!

Elijah is thriving; at two weeks and two days old he's a great eater and sleeper and we are all enamored with him. My parents are leaving early tomorrow morning, and we will miss them! Mom has been so wonderful; I truly don't know how I could have managed without her. We have had some sweet times together early in the mornings over coffee and open Bibles--interrupting each others' study!

We are almost 100% positive that we will be moving by April 1. At this moment, we don't know where we're moving to. I have had to keep my emotions in check about this, as I can get a bit wound up and anxious if I'm not careful. Kevin is working on some things, and we are seeking the Lord and trusting Him to provide for us. I plan on getting back to school half days next week, and focusing on packing in the afternoons. My super Mother-in-law will be here soon, and that will be a huge help, too.

Whatever happens, it's interesting around here right now! :)

Who needs toys when you can play with a mop? Sam loves "Leeli" and is constantly kissing and petting his head. So sweet!

Thanks, Mom

My Mom has been here since before Elijah's birth, and she has worked tirelessly, caring for the kids, caring for us all. I have had a bit of a setback with my healing, and am depending on her even more right now. I really don't know what I'd do if she weren't here....

Thanks, Mom! You are a blessing to us all!

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

(Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV)

It's A Boy!

Elijah (Eli) Lloyd Dennis was born on Monday, 1/23, at 2:05 PM. He weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was 19 in. long. We praise God for Eli who is fearfully and wonderfully made!

Heading to the Hospital

This is the last picture of me with this little one on the inside. We are heading to the hospital this morning for induction. I am a little sad because I was so hoping to go into labor on my own, but I know the Lord is with us regardless, and soon we will meet this sweet little one and it won't really matter so much how he or she got here, right? Thank you for your prayers today, and I hope to be back soon sharing lots of pictures of little E.!

Why Ron Paul?

If any of you are on my husband's email list, you've already seen this article, or at least the link to it. This is a great short-ish explanation by Voddie Baucham about why he supports Ron Paul for the Republican presidential nomination. I thought it was really well-said, so take a minute to read it, if you can.

You Know What's on My Mind

I'm sitting here tooling around online during my Mommy Break. Keely makes this happen by preparing lunch for the kids each day. Love that! :) I thought this was an interesting look at popular baby names recently and over the past century or so. Here's a look at different facts about fertility in the U.S. (Be warned that some of the ads here are a bit immodest...)

We are plugging away at school today and looking forward to my parents' arrival tomorrow. Hope your week's going great!