Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Sign of Weakness?

"As a mother it is so easy for me to get bent out of shape and irritated over dealing with strife that I become the product of what I’m trying to avoid in my children. It doesn’t do much good to fly off the handle because my child is not being flexible…or snap as I try to teach them gentleness…now there’s a moment of truth."
-Kelly, in her article entitled
"What Can a Mother do About Sibling Strife,"
on her very encouraging and practical blog Generation Cedar



Is it a sign of weakness for me to post this quote, and admit that it was very timely?

Yes, I think it is. But I'll be the first one to admit that I've been very weak in this area recently! With all of the stress of a busy schedule and trying to get things organized before possible bedrest, I'm afraid I haven't had a lot of patience left for the boys. And on top of all that, Miles got croup. Little Tait has a cold, and is having trouble sleeping at night. They've both been tired and grumpy (probably taking their cues from a tired and grumpy mommy). I've got a weird cough - either the beginnings of a cold, or the result of breathing in too much dust during the organizing process. And of course, pregnancy hormones probably aren't helping me out too much either.

On top of all that, I feel like I live in a pigsty. Okay, so I'm grossly exaggerating here. : ) But I do so hate disorganization! We've had everything strewn all over the living room during this organizing process, and I've put off cleaning and dusting until I can actually walk across the room without feeling like I'm navigating a maze, and until the floor is somewhat visible. It's hiding somewhere under all of the boxes and bins at the moment.

With all that said, yesterday was a very productive day (thanks to my sweet mother-in-law watching the boys for the afternoon!), and I finally feel like we're on our way to digging ourselves out of the piles - piles of outgrown baby clothes, books that have no bookshelf, and lots and lots of real estate and household papers. Progress is always nice. : )

My husband had a heart-to-heart with me yesterday about my attitude, and how it affects the boys. I used to pride myself on keeping my voice completely controlled when dealing with misbehavior. Oops! What's that verse ... something about pride going before a fall? Well, the pride phase lasted a few months before the fall phase took over, gradually but completely.

The above quote really drove home the fact that I have to be the example for the little guys. Getting upset, losing control of my voice, and losing my patience, will not teach Little Tait to keep control over his anger and frustration when Miles takes his toy. Nor will it teach Miles to get a hold of himself (i.e. no screaming) when Mommy or Daddy tell him no.

This has been good for me to think through! Thank you Kelly, for your wise and timely words!

And now, I'm off to finish labeling and sorting the bins before their transport to the storage area downstairs, clean out the cabinet for the installation of our double wall oven (yay!), make ice cream to take along to dinner at a friend's house tonight, work on some nasty stained clothes, change the sheets, work on the laundry, help hubby clean up our storage area, file papers....

Or at least, I'm off to make some progress on that long list, while the boys are napping at Tait's parents' house. (Thank the Lord for godly, helpful, understanding, nearby parents-in-law!)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Today Was Little Tait's Due Date!

Yes, our first little guy was due on February 4, 2 years ago (9 months and 1 day after our wedding :D). But of course, he came a little earlier than that. It's hard to believe that we spent the entire time from November 6 (just 6 months and 3 days after our wedding) until a few days from now in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with him that year!

I'm reminded every February 4 just how long that time in the hospital was, and just how thankful we were to be nearing the time when we could bring him home!


November 6, the day he was born

February 6, 2 days after his due date, the day we brought him home!


Just about two years later, sampling Mommy's
ginger molasses cookie dough
The website for the Little Tait Foundation for Preemie Aid will be coming soon! Visit the LTFPA on facebook, and be sure to "like" the page! An anonymous donor is donating $1 for every "like" until the end of the month, up to $500! (You can also "like" the LTFPA facebook page on the right sidebar of this blog!)
Blessings to all of you from the Zimmerman Family!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Happy Birthday Tait!

Exactly 24 years ago today, an amazing man was born. The Lord has done such an incredible work in my husband's life, and I am so blessed to be his helpmeet! He is passionate about actively serving the Lord, completely devoted to his family, and firmly committed to furthering the cause of Christ! I can't wait to see how God uses Tait to advance His kingdom in the years to come!



Using the word visionary to describe my husband would be a severe understatement. He is constantly (and yes, I mean constantly!) thinking of new ideas - new business ventures to provide for his family, new methods to encourage other men to serve the Lord, new ways to advance God's kingdom, and new ministry ideas to meet needs and glorify God.

As many of you know, our first baby, Little Tait, was born very early at 27 weeks along, weighing 2 1/2 pounds. I think that any parent who faces a situation like this with their own child has, from then on, a very special place in their heart for other families in similar situations. We were incredibly blessed, and witnessed the beauty of the body of Christ as fellow Christians stepped up to support us both financially and spiritually.

We are in the process of launching a non-profit organization to minister financially to Christian families of preemies. Stay tuned to see how you can help other families who are facing the financial burdens which accompany their early new blessing!

For more information, visit the
Little Tait Foundation for Preemie Aid
on facebook, and be sure to "Like" our page!

Official website coming soon!!!
Happy birthday Tait! I love you, and look forward to serving you as you serve the Lord for many years to come!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Wisdom from Martin Luther

Adeline, over at the MortonClan blog posted these few verses from Martin Luther, and I just had to share! (If you get a chance to stop by and "visit" the Mortons at their "online home," do! They're the dearest, most hospitable family ... though we haven't actually met all of them ... yet. Maybe next time we're down South.) :D

"Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!"


-Martin Luther