Gone Viral

Well, we have officially gone viral over here in the Bolton household!  No, I'm not talking about some crazy video spread to millions across YouTube that has "gone viral."  I'm talking about how all 3 of us have spread our lovely germs to one another!  It first started with me at the beginning of the month.  Then my hubby was up next last week.  Finally,.......our sweet son, Dylan got sick this week with RSV.  Not fun.  He's feeling much better!  Thank you, Lord!

The blessing in all of this? I've realized how 99% of the time we are healthy, and able to go about our lives as we please.  So, a few days down is not so bad, right?  Also, it has offered both my husband and me an opportunity to serve one another by taking care of each other.  There's nothing more endearing than to have your significant other nurse you back to health! :)  Thank God today for your health & the health of those you love! 

Dylan at dr office on Thursday...wiped out!

Dylan taking his breathing treatment with Daddy....wiped out again!

On my nightstand

I love to read.  Do you?  The busyness of motherhood has kept me from reading like I want to, but I'm slowly getting back into it.  The only time I really get a chane to read is either during Dylan's nap, or at night after he's gone to bed (Thank you, Jesus for bedtime!).  This is my time to unwind from the day!  I hope you have incorporated some sort of relaxation into your day as well!

Here's what is on my nightstand:

Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon: Wonderful devotional reading for the morning and the evening (hence the title).  This is a Christian classic written by an English theologian from the 19th century.  Highly recommend it!

Life in the Word by Joyce Meyer: Another devotional, but this one is organized by topic.  I like it because depending on my day or what's going on, I can look it up and almost always receive a great word!

The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian:  Need I say more?  This book was given to us at our baby shower before Dylan was born by a wonderful couple, Chawn and Julie.  They have two kids and encouraged us that the best thing we can do for our child is to commit him to the Lord in prayer!  I have a feeling this will be one I read over and over again through the years.

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge: This book is 'technically' for men, but as a mother of a boy who will grow into a man, I though I better read it!  This book describes the essence of a man from a biblical point of reference.  It reads almost poetically. I'm enjoying it so far. (Check out "Captivating" by Stasi Eldredge about the essence of a woman...LOVED it!)

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot: Just the title is convicting, right?  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this woman!  I have many of her books.  This one is a collection of essays on how to keep a quiet heart and trust God in different life circumstances.  You will enjoy Elliot's insight!

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace: This book was given to me from one of my bridesmaides in my wedding, Virginia!  I keep it on the side of my bed as a reference!  My desire is to be an excellent wife to my husband, and this book in detail depicts God's desire for women in marriage. (Disclaimer: this book is not about being 'perfect,' but pursuing excellence as a wife with the help of God!)

I Promise by Gary Smalley: This book is actually on my husband's nightstand too!  We won it at a couples' event at our church!  We haven't gotten too far in this book, but so far I like it.  One point I liked was how your marriage should be a place of security. Good stuff, can't wait to read more.

Lastly, is my journal.  Do you journal?  I used to journal all the time, but again, motherhood kind of slowed me down.  I don't journal everyday, but I am getting back into it.  I write down my prayers, answer to prayers, celebrations, disappointments, and frustrations.  After a women's Bible study I went through, I was inspired by Priscilla Shirer to write in my journal when God speaks to me.  These are those moments when you know God has spoken directly into your life through His word, other people, etc.  This has  been such a blessing to see God speaking directly into my life! 

Not pictured is my Bible.  It usually sits on my nightstand, but I left it in the car at the time of this picture!  :)  The Word of God alone is what gives me the refreshment and encouragement I need daily.   I am always blessed by spending time in the Word.

So, what's on your nightstand?  Or your kindle, iPad, Nook, etc.!!  What are you reading?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Winter Check List

Last night before I went to bed I felt this urge to read Proverbs 31.  You know, the Proverb that describes the over-acheiving woman we'd all like to be, but don't have enough energy to be!  All jokes aside, there is some great wisdom in that Proveb, and it's not about perfection, but about aligning our hearts with God's in regard to what a godly woman looks like. 
So....one verse in particular stood out to me, especially since we've been going through an ice storm here in Texas for the last 3 days.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. Proverbs 31:21

Wow!  I was so shocked to see that preparing your home for winter, or other events due to nature is a biblical principle.  There is wisdom in surveying  your home, and making sure you are prepared for whatever!  This takes organization, thinking ahead, and being productive!  I was not 100% ready for this storm.  I knew it was coming, but still didn't take the time, or energy to get my home prepaerd.  Shame on me.  I was being lazy.  Tell the truth, shame the devil.  So, next time I want to be prepared better. 

Yikes! Our cupboard is almost bare!

Here's my working list of things I need to begin stocking up on in order to get my home prepared:

Food staples:
Water
Plenty of canned goods (veggies, fuit, soup, chili, etc.)
Crackers
Baby food (including rice cereal)
Meat stocked up in freezer
Cereal/Oatmeal
Bread (always have at least 1 loaf of bread in freezer on stand-by)
milk
eggs
rice
Snack foods

Household/Misc.
Batteries for flashlights
Matches
Candles
Firewood
Toilet paper
Soap
Toothpaste
Medicines (tylenol, baby tylenol, cold medicines, etc)
First aid kit
Cast-iron skillet (if your electricity goes out, you can cook over fire if you get desperate...good thing we have gas stoves)

Again, this is a working list.  What did I miss?  Leave a comment & let me know your ideas!  And, let's try to all remember we will bless our families if we will take the time to get our households prepared!

Blessing in the Storm

 Baby, it's cold outside here in Texas! We've had record temps, single digit windchills, and lots of ice on the ground. It's been nice the last 2 days to have D home with us. Maybe, just maybe he'll have tomorrow off.

 I must admit, however, that I do have a little cabin fever. I'm not the only one though. My sweet son, Dylan has had about enough of being indoors. Today he was whining a lot. We finally bundled him up in about 4 layers of clothes: two pair of gloves, boots, and 3 caps on his head! The temp was 19 degrees, yikes! 

Mr Dylan with lots of layers on!



As cold as it has been this week, God reminded me of His daily blessings upon my life. We take for granted a warm bed, a heated house, and clothes on our backs. Sometimes it takes a storm to recognize just how blessed you truly are!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming downfrom the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17



Daddy and Dylan on the makeshift sled!





Ice, ice baby!



Mommy and Dylan playing in the backyard



Back to Blogging!

Hello blogosphere world!! I'm back to the blogging world after about a 2 year hiatus! A lot has happened in my life since I last blogged on my old blog: had a baby, bought a house....you know, the usual! Life has been crazy around the Bolton household, but one thing I do know: God has richly blessed us! We may not have everything we want, but we've got everything we need: salvation through God's Son, Jesus Christ, roof over our heads, food on the table, and our health! Amen!?

Here's my favorite 13 month old blessing, Mr. Dylan Andrew