"I'm pregnant and I know it"

 Bam...there it is. But there are pros to having a huge 35 week round girl bulge protruding from one's front side.
Here are several I take advantage of on a regular basis:

1. Table top for folding laundry, eating ice cream (or anything), and driving toy cars on.

2. A great conversation starter amongst strangers. Hmm, the most common among men is "wow! did you swallow a watermelon?" Ed advised me to respond, "No, just the seed." 

3. Flattery of being stared at. I like to think it's my stunning good looks =; ), but the truth is that what they're really thinking is ' that poor haggard waddler' !!

4. But my favorite: A pillow for little sons' heads to lay on or stroke. 

5. And last but not least- being able to eat, eat, eat!

So besides resting as much as my kids will allow as we all  anxiously wait for (fingers crossed) a little girl to enter our lives, here are some of the happy things that make the days pass a little quicker:

~Hand in hand~

 Cape May B&B

with my best friend

 Latest consignment store find...A lovely wooden kitchen with all the wooden food 

and pots and pantry staples a little boy ( or girl) could want =: )

Thanks for stopping by!

Anger management

I hope you have those moments every now and then, like I just have, where God touches you with just a few challenging words that renew your spirit to persevere, to strive, to pursue godliness just that much more.

Here's my verse that hit me square in the face in last week's sermon. In fact it caught me so much that I have no idea what the rest of the sermon was about. My mind immediately began to think through all the reasons why I HAVE to change and all the positive effects this change would bring.

So the verse? James 1:19-20: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

Well, I'm the opposite of all that. The exact opposite.

According to my husband, I do NOT listen well. I know it. I just blab and interrupt to my heart's content. But it really bothers him when I don't really listen. He's been saying it for 5, well actually 9 years. So it's time I really put this listening thing to heart.

And According to my own self-awareness, I am way too quick to become angry. And at what? If I'm honest, it's not the big things that make me lash out. It's:

Spilled juice. Kids waking up earlier than they're 'supposed to'. Dirty feet. Piles of laundry. Whining. Oh the whining. Potty training failures. Little sinners (and big sinners too). Forgetfulness, especially when it involves stairs and bringing things to where they belong. Aching back. You know, the little frustrations of life.

I don't remember my mom EVER yelling at us. I'm serious. Five kids to raise and never yelling? I don't know how she did it. (Besides LOTS of God's grace and being naturally gifted with one of the kindest hearts I've ever known). But since being a mother I have definitely had my fair share of unrighteous yelling. And it's really got to stop. It sounds awful. Because it is. And you know what? Raising my voice never accomplishes anything! And worst of all, I'm realizing just how serious my humble little existence is in the exemplifying of Christ to my kids. I'm it most of the time. They see me pretty much all day, everyday. So when I lose my cool and lash out, even if not directed at them, they notice. Then, worst of all, they act like that too. Which makes me even more angry. A vicious cycle. "For man's anger does NOT bring about the righteous life that God desires."

I have by God's help though come upon a sure fire way of calming myself and them down anytime I feel anger quickly coming on. Such a simple thing if I put my mind to it.

Say God's Word out loud. To them. To me.

Breathe and simply count to ten.

Tell them I'm sorry. Mommy was wrong. Hugs.

I'm a blond, and it takes me a while to learn some things, but hopefully I can become a better example to my kids as I put God's word to heart.


I'd love to hear what God has been saying to your heart recently...

Until next time... Enjoy this wonderful spring weather (yes even the rain that saves me from watering my garden =: )

Spring is here!

And with it some sickness (ok, a lot of sickness that we're just now getting rid of), some flowers, some parties, some projects, some laughs, some sunshine...

So here's a taste of life in the O'Connell household this last month (besides the sickness part of course!)


~ Concert with the Lancaster Chorale: a big success! Accompanied the whole concert and did some solos. Lots of fun!

~ Bridal shower for future sister-in-law Leah -- what fun =: )

~ Philadelphia zoo on a beautifully cool yet sun-filled day with Dan, Rachel, and cousin Seth:

 (Notice the crazy peacock earrings Rachel got me from India??)

~ Phone calls from sisters and best friends =: )

~ Watching Castle (newest addiction) with hubby after kids are in bed...laughing and eating too!

~ Gardening: planted my peas, scallions, lettuce, and tomatoes, and some flower boxes before my back told me to stop!

~ Weekly swimming with the boys at the indoor pool at the intermediate school. They LOVE it!

~ Daily nap time (for me too! pregnancy is a great excuse to slow down)

~ Boys room painted and curtains dyed blue. A little more blue than what I was originally thinking, but hey, two little boys can handle it =: ) They love their 'new room'!

~ Bedtime stories...still warms my heart and makes me love both of these guys more every time I witness this =: ) I am blessed!

~ Almost 31 weeks! Hard to believe that we'll have a little girl here in 2 months! Luke asks me every day if the baby is coming out yet. So fun that he's so into it. Even Evan loves patting my belly:

For me, I'll be excited once the baby is OUT!

Hope springtime is putting a little spring in your step!