Fiery By Design

Is there an ‘App’ for that?

Heather — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:49:18 +0000

Have you ever heard those small bumps in the night?

You know the ones that wake you up out of a sound sleep?

Then you lay there waiting to hear the origin of what woke you up. There it is again!

Then all the lights in your mother brain go off, and you realize that the noise was none other than your 8 month old waking up!

You lay there and think is he just dreaming? Is he hungry? Does he need a diaper change?
Your maternal instincts take over.

You get up, make up some formula and get everything to change a diaper.

Then you go to take care of your little Prince, only to find he is fast asleep. Nice and warm in his crib, just like you wish you were in your bed!

That is the norm around here the past few weeks! After a rough first month of life, he has slept pretty much 8 to 10 hours a night. We are attributing the new waking in the night to teething trouble.

But that has lead me to thinking about all the concerns I have over SIDS and how many times I get up in the night even when he isn’t rousing.

Which lead to me doing a search for monitors. That lead me to looking at iPhone apps (after all isn’t there an app for everything?) -
This is what I found

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baby-monitor-plus/id457389989?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baby-monitor-alarm/id331519989?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baby-monitor-3g/id490077681?mt=8

I haven’t install any of them, YET!

While, there are ALOT of pieces of technology that I could live without. Ones that help parents have a better piece of mind and a good nights sleep for all involved makes me smile!!
Now, I wonder if there is an App for cleaning house?!?!?!

In His Grace,

FBD

Do you look beyond the Window Dressing?

Heather — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:38:50 +0000

When we travel, I love to go picking! We will be driving and I will say to my husband “Did you see that sign? Did you see that little store?” He then looks at me like ‘Here we go again!’ I know somewhere down inside he is thinking how much junk I am going to load up in our Suburban!!! Then we get to said place, only for my heart to be broken. The window dressing looks wonderful, but inside is all junk – LITERALLY! Then there are those places you think if we stop there, we may never be seen again. Yet, hesitantly we stop and I find the diamond in the rough!
People can be a lot like those places. All nice and shinny, yet so evil that they would rather tear you down piece by piece than take time to care who you really are.. Then those who look so broken and useless. Yet, are the ones that have more devout love for people and our Savior, than anyone you may ever meet in your life!
I am infamous for wearing Ariat camo boots with some form of sweat pants and an old t-shirt with a ball cap. Did I mention NO make-up and my long hair pulled up in some weird twist? When we lived in Tulsa, I was at best an odd amusement at worst an alien invading the local Target or Starbucks!!!
I know for a fact that I have been judged for that appearance. So much so, that the next time I went into one of those places, with my hair down, make-up on, and in my best boots and clothes, it was the difference between night and day. I was greeted with smiles and ‘How can I help you M’am?’ ’Is there something we can get for you M’am?’ I mean SERIOUSLY? I am still the same person that walked in days before dressed in work clothes. What changed? My outward appearance! Nothing more, nothing less!
Have you ever looked at someone and immediately judged them?
Thinking you know by their appearance, the vehicle they are driving, the way they are acting, even better yet the facade that they put forth as who they REALLY ARE?
Have you ever thought that they are more than what the outside portrays?
Maybe they are the diamond in the rough that the Lord has been calling? Maybe they are broken needing someone to take time to show more than judgement?
Never forget we are not to judge. That while we are called as Christians to be set apart – that we are still to love all. Jesus did not walk among the holiest. For no one was greater or without sin, except He, Himself.
Take a moment next time you are quick to assume, and ask the Lord to show you beyond that outward facade. For that is all it is.
Be blessed!
In His Grace,
FBD

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
“The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” Proverbs 20:27

Can we have it all?

Heather — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:37:49 +0000

‘Momma, I love you!’
Usually this is followed by a request of some sort from our 12 year old.
I have learned to follow it with “I love you too, what do you want?”
Then you have our 3 yr old who has the big eyes pleading “Please! Pleeeeeaase!”
Who inadvertently wants something she has seen on TV.
We try to teach our children that material things are not what makes you happy. I can tell you that they beg to differ.
But, as adults even, it is hard for us to see that at times! I mean seriously, have you seen the new Apple iPad Mini that was just released. It does everything but clean your house! Or what about the new flat screens being set out for those to gawk at as we shop for Christmas. Me personally, while I can be tech savvy, nothing gets me more excited than a new style of functional boots. I am not at all the frilly girl, my boots have to look good as well as if I get a little mud on them, I will not be devastated, because I can clean them. Or looking at the latest bloodline of quarter horses. God created such a magnificent animal when He created them.
Yet, our checkbook doesn’t always allow for the newest and shiniest. We have three children. With that you have doctor bills, groceries, CLOTHES, and all the necessities – IE DIAPERS, toothpaste, deodorants.. You get the idea.
Having all we want at the moment we want it, in reality is just not feasible at times for us.
As my husband and I were discussing this, we begin to think of the days when all there really was the vast outdoors for us to play in. When our parents turned baloney and beans into a feast. And when we were content with what was before us. Not what we were being told what we need!
My belief is we can have it all. Because all isn’t the piece that best accents our homes or outfits. Having it all is so much deeper. It is the peace of God, the family, friends and breath we take!
Even if you have it all, may you find contentment in the simple things in life, the meaningful parts like family and friends.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phil 4:11
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thes 5:18