MTMOYMC - Recap and Other Happenings in the Rickard House

Although the three week challenge of Make the Most of Your Mornings has officially expired, I see it as an ongoing, daily "challenge" for me.  With the arrival of fall comes a busy schedule for our family: a lot of family birthdays (almost always out of town), hunting season = more traveling, preschool has commenced for Ben, etc.  I've also joined a small group from our church, Rooftop Community Church, and we meet one night a week to have fellowship, deeper community, accountability and to encourage one another.  Right now we are studying the book: Waking the Dead: the Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, by John Eldridge.  So far we've only read and discussed the first two chapters, and already I can say this book is a MUST read, a REVOLUTIONARY book for me, and any Christian that wants/needs insight on spiritual warfare.  I'm excited to see what else the Lord will reveal to me through this book, his Word and our small group.

Nolan's first Cardinals Game - October 3, last home game of the regular season

Oh yeah, there's also some local sports team that's made the post-season playoffs, something about Red October:)?  You might be familiar with the St. Louis Cardinals?!  We continue to cheer them on and hope that the Redbirds will capture a twelfth World Series title in 2012, no less.
I do love fall!  Camping, cool weather, the natural beauty of the seasons changing, pumpkin anything/everything, warm hearty soups, the list goes on.  OK, back to that MTMOYMC, as I said, I see it as an ongoing challenge.  I desire to begin each day that God gives me with the right start.  For me, that means rising early, before dawn, spending quiet time, all alone with God and his Word, just me and Him; hopefully a little exercise to get me energized and to help me FEEL more confident for the day ahead; etc. This gives me peace, clarity, energy, and a more positive mind set.  As I'm writing this update I realize that it's past my bedtime to get that early start, and that has been a big struggle for me lately.  From getting home late due to ballgames and small group, to getting woke up 3-4 times a night by my teething one year old, I have to say that I'm struggling big time with meeting my early rise time.  When I don't rise early, a lot of things happen out of order, or just don't get done at all.  I mean it when I say, if I want any alone time it has to come before dawn or it will not happen.  "Sleeping in" in our house is 7 AM, seriously.  People that have known me for a long time, like back in my adolescent days, know how hard of an adjustment this has been for me.  I used to sleep until 10 AM, or later!  The idea of that happening now is actually disturbing, what a waste of precious morning time, but still, I wouldn't mind being able to rise at 7 AM every day and still have a good hour before my boys are up.  Oh well, God has other plans:)  I will continue to strive to be an early riser and to MTMOMM, and hope that over time this will be less of a "challenge" and just mere habit!
Other happenings in the Rickard House: Nolan has taken his first step, TONIGHT actually!!  Yes, my sweet 14 month old baby boy actually let go of the table and took a step toward none other than his big brother, Benny. A very proud moment for us!  Also, Nolan has 14 teeth now - part of the contribution to poor sleeping:(  The poor guy has never gotten one tooth at a time, they usually come in fours, or more.  Hopefully he'll be finished for a long time after the last 4 come in.  I think that's right - hard to do math at 10:30 PM for this mamma.
Benjamin continues to make us laugh and amazes us with his clever creativity.  He is such an outgoing, social and sweet boy.  He actually tells me that I'm pretty, or that my hair is pretty, on a regular basis.  He knows how to charm his mamma:)  He also makes us very proud with what a loving, protective and kind big brother he is.  I just know that he and Nolan will be best friends all of their lives.  They are already so close that if one of them is upset or crying, the other one is as well.  They play together, laugh together and yes, sometimes cry together.  Ben cannot wait until Nolan can "talk to him".  That day is coming, soon I hope!
Eddie and I are just grateful for how the Lord continues to bless us.  We have all that we need and more, we are incredibly BLESSED.  Cheers, and happy reading!
BTW, I will post some new pics of the boys VERY soon from a photo shoot they had last month.  SO CUTE!