A Proverbs 31 Wife

So, a couple of weeks ago, in our ABF class we read a little bit from Proverbs 31. For those of you that don't know, this passage in the Bible is all about what a Christian wife should be like. One part of this scripture, verse 27, says "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." This sentence just resonated in my mind and heart and really got me to thinking about how I use my time. There are many times when we are just hanging out, watching tv, etc. that got me to thinking about how often I am eating the bread of idleness. I decided that I needed to change and try harder to be a Proverbs 31 wife. (Note: I am in no way saying it is bad to lounge around the house and watch tv, I'm just saying I feel the need to be more productive with my time.)

Here are a few things I have implemented into my life to make me become more like the woman that God created me to be.

1.) Take some time each day to read a devotion and scripture. The church handed out some free books one Sunday and I grabbed one. It has a scripture to reflect on and a short devotion to read as well. The past few days have been all about the Holy Spirit and his role in the Trinity.

2.) Helping Kyle with his classes. Sometimes this means I help him by reading his responses and checking them for grammar and spelling, and sometimes it means keeping Ava out of his hair for a while so he can concentrate. As I mentioned in a post before, I've offered to take care of cooking dinner, cleaning it up, and getting Ava bathed and ready for bed so that he can work on getting his assignments done and still have time to spend with us before bedtime.

3.) I've offered to take over the finances again for Kyle. I know it is a stress for him and it takes quite a bit of time. I'm still waiting on an answer though.

4.) I've created a calendar to organize our life. On it, I have listed the meals for dinner (this makes shopping for groceries SO much easier!), little chores for each day of the week (that way our weekend is spent having family time/homework time), and important dates. I really like our new calendar! I printed it off for free on Pinterest!

I am so excited to be starting off a new year in a new way. I think these little changes will help me become more like a Proverbs 31 wife. I know there are plenty more things I need to add to my short list though! (Later on this year, when I get a spare chance, I'm planning to read the book shown below! I hope to find even more ways to improve myself!)

Proverbs 31:10-31

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Almost Done....And Just Gettin' Started

I'm almost done with my Masters! I have a one hour course that I will be taking later on this month and my comprehensive exams in March and then I AM DONE!

Excitement does not even begin to describe my feelings about finishing my classes. I have a huge sense of relief and accomplishment when I think about how close I am to being done. And then there's a hint of nervousness when I think about taking these exams in March. I don't know what to expect, but I'm hoping that with everything I have learned, along with my teaching experience from the last 4.5 years I will be able to pass! I am really looking forward to not having to worry about homework and grading papers on top of my number one priorities-being a wife and mommy! I wonder if I will get bored? I doubt it! I'm looking forward to getting to do some of my hobbies again!

As you notice from the title of this post, I haven't explained the "Just Gettin' Started" part yet. Time to explain. Kyle started his masters classes. It's weird that our roles have reversed now! He really had to kick it into high gear because he had to be halfway done by the end of his fifth year of teaching (which is next year!).

I'm trying to really help out with things as much as possible now that he has started his classes. Two nights a week he has to have a live chat with his classmates and teachers. These chats last about an hour and a half. He has lots of quizzes to do and a lot of reading as well. I try to get him to go to another room after we eat dinner and I clean up and take care of getting Ava bathed and ready for bed. It is a good system, but I already hate how it takes away from our family time. I know it's gotta happen, and at least he is home with us instead of on campus late at night. He's taken a couple of quizzes so far and I'm really proud of his grades!

Kyle is going through the University of the Cumberlands for his masters. He is getting a Masters in Special Education. I really like this college because it is over half the cost of mine at WKU. He can take 2 classes each bi-term, so he's getting 4 classes in each semester! At that rate, he will be done before we know it! I can't wait for him to finish already!

Top 3 Sayings of Christmas Break

Since we've been home together for two weeks, I thought it'd be really fun to update everyone on what some of Ava's new top sayings are. They are random. They make no sense. But they always make us laugh!

1. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine.

2. Actually.... (most of the time it end with "that's mine")

3. I'm not mad.

She must be the funniest child on earth. These past two weeks have been such a blessing. We have had countless hours of family time and I wouldn't have had it any other way! Even though I have the best job ever, I'm kinda wishing we could have just a little bit more time off together! (Christmas Break is just a sneak peek of summer break!)

Christmas Break is Here!

Today is an exciting day for us! It was the first day we didn't have to wake up to our alarm clock. It started out with Ava waking up a little to early for a Saturday, so we all climbed into our HUGE full sized bed and slept for almost two more hours. Ava woke up and she and I spent several minutes talking and laughing and whispering "secrets" like "wake Daddy up." We giggled and laughed so much and the whole time we were just being silly and lazy, I couldn't stop thinking of how blessed we are. I hate when I realize how many things I take for granted.

I am so so so excited about having the next two weeks off together as a family. I think the #1 best thing about being a teacher and being married to a teacher is our breaks off together. We LOVE doing everything together! I am so fortunate to be married to someone I can't stand to be without!

Our plans for Christmas Break include finishing up our Christmas shopping and wrapping, taking naps every day that we can, catching up on our DVR that we've been neglecting, cooking, cleaning, and enjoying every single second together! I am so excited! Ohh....we are also planning to use some of the gift cards Kyle got from his sweet students and go on a couple of dates!

I'm really hoping that the next two weeks go by super, SUPER slow!

And P.S.-today is our 5.5 year anniversary! CRAZY how time flies!

I Love How She.....

I've been caring for my sweet, sick baby today. Even though I've been thrown up all over multiple times today, I just can't help but reflect on my sweet child. Therefore, I have come up with a list of things I love about Ava. (This post will have to be continued over several posts because it's crazy how wonderful she is. These are just some things I've been thinking of since about 3 o'clock this morning.

I love how she.....

1. falls asleep each night. (Talking and singing like crazy, covering me up with her blanket, a letting her feet plop down hard on the bed, over and over.)
2. dances. (It's a little provocative, but totally cute.)
3. calls suckers "popasicles".
4. talks about the people she loves when we are laying in bed.
5. says yes...which for the longest time came out as "nes," and now has developed into "nest."
6. tells me and Kyle not to look at her when she is about to do something wrong.
7. sings a song and stops abruptly to ask "What's next?"
8. loves her friends and teachers at daycare.
9. asks me to feed her shredded cheese like a "little birdy."
10. tells me not to talk on the phone, when she wants to talk to me.
11. fights with Whitman and tells him not to eat her food, when all he's doing is sleeping.
12. says she needs to "make mousies" instead of saying she needs to go poo poo. (She made it up on her own.)
13. eats a pack of Smarties and holds every piece up before she eats it and asks, "What's that?"
14. says "hide, hide, hide when she hears someone coming in the garage.
15. thinks the best hiding place is the most obvious place of all!
16. requests songs to sing in the car. Right now her favorites are by the Doodlebops.
17. wants to look at pictures of herself all. the. time.
18. recognizes letters on signs.
19. always wants us to trace her hands.
20. sings her ABCs.
21. counts to 13 starting at # 6.
22. can't stand it if her shirt sleeves get wet after washing her hands.
23. wants to sit on the counter and watch me cook.
24. say's 1-2-3 and runs and jumps on Kyle!
25. wants to put lotion on every time she walks into our bathroom,
26. calls Whitman "little Whitty boy," or a "Cutie Pie."
27. talks about going to church and Sunday School
28. sings Jesus Loves Me
29. says I love you
30. has changed our lives forever in the BEST way imaginable!

I'm sure there will be a part two of this list coming one day in the future! I thank the Lord for this girl every day of my life.

Our Two Year Old!

Wow! It still feels insane to say that our little girl is two years old now! We just can't believe how fast the past two years have flown by! We have cherished every moment with her and truly enjoy parenthood. It is a beautiful gift from God.

I've been terrible about updating things lately, and have literally been meaning to do a birthday post for about 3 weeks now. Better late than never though!

Ava's birthday was on a beautiful Saturday and we had her party at our house in the back yard. Lots of family and friends came out to celebrate. I'll just let the pictures do the rest of the story telling!

The spread. Mmmmm.... Tastefully Simple Beer Bread (made with Sprite), veggie tray, apples with caramel dip, chips, cheese, olives, crackers, meatballs four types of dips.....I could eat like this every day! (And then I'd be on the Biggest Loser).

The gift table. Enough said.

The beautiful birthday girl.

Let's get this party started. It's time to get serious.

William came to the party. They really enjoyed eating apple slices together. Emili and I believe they are in love.

Ava's buddy Kinsley came too! She was sooo excited. Kinsley loved Ava's new Tinkerbell purse. I think she was ready to go shopping in this picture.

Aubrey also got to come! Ava loves Aubrey so much!

Maggie came too! (I can't believe that this is the baby I used to keep all the time! She's so grown up. And beautiful!)

Mason also came to the party. I love this picture, and think it should be in a magazine somewhere.

And of course, Whitman was at the party. He was Ava's big birthday gift, so he ran around with a pretty red bow on all day!

The kids worked on painting cupcakes to take home and decorate their bedrooms.

I think there's some real talent here. Let me know if you'd like one sometime :)

Then it was time for presents.

And cake.

Yum :)

I just had to include this picture because it makes me laugh every time I see it. What's going on here? I think it could be on Ellen's "What's Wrong with these Photos" photos.

Our New Little Addition!

We have had a new addition to our little home. His name is Whitman Nash Brooks and he is the sweetest dog I have ever been around. Let me tell you the story about this sweet little dog and how he became a part of the Brooks family.

For Fall Break, and to celebrate my sister's birthday, we went on a little trip to Nashville. Our main purpose was to 1) eat at Chipotle and 2) take Ava to the Nashville Science Center. For some reason, I woke up way early on Saturday and went ahead and got ready, got everyone else to get up and get ready, and we headed to breakfast and then the Science Center. It opened at ten and we got there at nine. A few minutes after we parked, a huge truck and trailer pulled in, and the trailer had a dog on it and said Nashville Humane Society, Mobile Unit. I got out and asked if there were really dogs in there and if I could take a look around. I went in and there were three wild puppies and one little white dog, named Whitman, that looked at me pleadingly. He wanted me to take him out and hold him.

I knew for sure there was no way we would be taking any dog home. I have been wanting one a little, and Ava has been asking for one occasionally, but Kyle said no. Then I turned around and Kyle, Mandy, and Ava were coming into the trailer. I showed them the white dog and asked if they thought it was as cute as I did. They agreed.

The man who worked there said we could get him out and take him to a special room where we could play with him and get to know him. The sign on his cage said he would not be good with young children, so we were a little nervous. I don't have to tell you how he behaved with Ava. I'll let you see for yourself.

Well, that was fun. Ava found a dog she wanted. But we were not there to get a dog, so we headed into the Science Center. The whole time we were in the Science Center we talked about that sweet little dog. Ava called him Whoopin, and kept saying she wanted to take him home. After a couple of hours in the Science Center we headed out, and who did we see? Whitman. He was just laying outside waiting for someone to take him home. We stopped and petted him some more and talked about how sweet he was. Then we loaded up in the van for lunch.

All through lunch we talked about Whitman and how wonderful he was. Then we went to Ross and somehow ended up in the pet section. We started discussing if we should really be getting a dog. We weighed the pros and cons. Somehow during this discussion, an empty shopping cart ended up with a dog bed, a beautiful dog bowl set, and a dog food container. We decided to go ahead and get the stuff and see if Whitman was still there at the Science Center, and if he was we would go and ask a million questions about him. If we decided we weren't going to get him, we could just return all the dog stuff.

Once we got there, we saw him again, and all these people were petting him. He still had not been adopted. In a few moments, we were filling out paperwork and gathering up his things. We were taking Whitman (Whoopin) home! We were a little shocked and excited at the same time!

Whitman is a three year old Lhasa Apso/Pekingese mix. He weighs 12 pounds and is the calmest dog we've ever been around. Ava loves him and hugs him all the time! This was a welcomed change in our home.