First Sleepover

Raylee's cousins came to stay the night with us a few days ago while their parents were at work. They had so much fun that when they asked Raylee to come stay the night with them, I (reluctantly) let her go! We have a nightly routine at home that she pretty much depends on, and she still climbs in bed with us in the middle of the night, so I was a little worried about how she would do without us there. We talked about it all day and she was SO excited! She kept assuring me that she would not cry and she would be happy! She even said "Mommy, don't worry. If I need something, I'll ask Mrs. Devan." I mean, really? When did she get big enough to tell me something like that?! Anyway, the whole ride to their house she was absolutely pumped and told me over and over about how she wouldn't cry and she would have fun and be happy. So we dropped her off and told them to call us even in the middle of the night if she needed us. LD and I rented a movie, came home and grilled steaks, and settled in for the night.

About 11:30, my phone rang. When I saw it was from Devan, I knew we were about to go get Miss Priss! Raylee was on the other end and I could hear her poor sobs. She could barely catch her breath! I asked what was wrong and she could barely get out that she "just wanted to come home!" Well of course I was out of the door in 2 seconds flat! She apparently told Devan "I didn't want to sleep here. I just wanted to play last night!" And when Devan told her she was sorry, Raylee said "It's okay, it's not your fault." Lol! It was so late when we got home, I just put her in my bed with me until LD came to bed (he's a night owl) and we got to snuggle for awhile.

Even though she didn't make it all night, I'm glad she tried and had fun for awhile. And I secretly liked that she wanted us so badly! :)

Little Visitor

As most people know, I'm a stay-at-home mom and I love it! But really we've had to make a lot of sacrifices in order for me to stay home, though that doesn't really matter to us. We feel that this is what's right for our family, even if it means I have to drive an outdated van! So to make up for some of the money we're missing by me not working, I occasionally keep kids in my home. We usually have Ray's cousins a couple times a week and sometimes I'll randomly help out a momma in need.

This week we had 2 visitors, a 4 year old and a sweet little 8 week old baby. I was so in baby heaven! This little sweetie was the perfect baby! She slept, ate, giggled and cooed, and repeat. What I was most amazed at was my sweet girl. She was totally in love with the baby. She wanted to feed her, hug and kiss her, hold her and even just stare at her! It made my heart swell to see Ray with her. At one point, the baby got really upset ( I think she had some tummy problems) and me and Ray sort of looked at each other in shock. It's been almost 3 years since I've had a little one like that around! I tried to comfort her but it wasn't really working so I tried a few things before deciding it was gas and it would just have to pass. She finally started to calm down a bit and when she did I noticed that Ray was standing right beside us and singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She was trying to calm baby down. Oh, I can't tell you how precious it was. I fought back tears and told her it was working. The baby actually did stop crying and listen!

She's still talking about the baby and about her baby sister. She's even been pretending her baby dolls are her baby sisters. It breaks my heart even more to see her so excited about having a baby around. I long to give her a baby sister (or brother!). I told her we would have to talk to Jesus and trust that He hears us! So we'll just cling to Him and wait.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires." - Psalm 37:4

 

Her favorite spot when baby was on the floor

 

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Seussical

Back around last September, my friend's husband (who also happens to be SAU's theatre director) told me they would be doing Seussical the Musical this spring and told me I should audition. I sort of laughed it off, knowing I would be embarrassing myself if I did! I didn't really think much else about it until January, when auditions were getting closer. He told me again to audition, then told my husband about it. Well, that pretty much sealed my fate... My dear, sweet husband practically dragged me up there! I was so unbelievably nervous. Like, what on Earth am I doing here with all of these college kids, most of whom are majoring in theatre! Hello! Out of place!

When I got a call back for the next day, I was floored! And terrified! What do you do at a call back like this? I didn't know what the heck I was doing! So I went...and thought I bombed. Really, there were so many talented students and community members. I told myself I would be content with an ensemble part and that would be that. The list was going to be posted that next day and I very patiently (not) checked the website 20,000 times. I got a text from my friend saying the list was up and there it was... I was cast as Mrs. Mayor of Whoville! I was ecstatic! I was....freaking out!

As nervous as I was, this turned out to be the most amazing experience. It was a lot of work, nights away from my family for rehearsal, tears because I still thought I was making a fool of myself and lots and lots of laughter and fun. God knew I needed this in my life at that moment. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved (LOVED!) being on stage and performing. I am still so humbled and amazed that I ever got a chance to be a part of such a fun and exciting show!

 

The Grinch!

 

My little "who" people

Me with JoJo and Mr. Mayor

The Sour Kangaroo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes!

I've decided to change things up a little. I want to post more regularly and I wanted things to be different and fresh for me. I want to post about everyday life and things on my heart... just to remember this time in my life and the little things I might otherwise forget!

I chose the name "Consider the Sparrows" because of the verse in Matthew 10; 

²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny?^[a] Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.^{[b] 30} But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. ³¹ So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.


What a great reminder this is that God loves us. Even someone as insignificant as me. I want this to be at the heart of all I say and do. Nothing else matters - not letters, numbers, reading, writing. If I don't teach my child that she is important to God, I haven't taught her a thing worth knowing.

His eye is on the sparrow... And I know He watches me!

It's okay, baby girl.

Sometimes, I can really stress myself out. Most of the time for no reason. I come from a long line of stresser-outers. And since I'm so prone to stress, staying at home with my 2-year-old can sometimes drive me to drinkin' (obviously, that statement was false. My dad used to always say it and I'm more like him than I want to admit sometimes!). As much as I love being home and knowing I'm the one taking care of her, it can weigh pretty heavily on me from time to time. I'm definitely an extrovert/people person so if I don't get a good amount of time talking to adults, I get a little crazy. And a few days ago, I'd had it. I didn't want to think about dishes and laundry and potty mishaps. I didn't want to clean another room or wonder what to cook. I wanted to sit and watch Netflix. And drink a Dr. Pepper. I knew I couldn't do those things, however, so I just sat and wallowed for a minute. And of course, before I got too deep into wallowing, I heard a thud. I sat up and waited for the cry. The one that would tell me if she was okay, or if I needed to prepare myself for an ER visit. She cried the "Hey I fell, and I'm going to live but I could really use a hug or something" cry so I went in, grabbed her up and kissed her, but it didn't help. She just kept sobbing and it broke my heart. I started to sing the song I've sang for her often since we brought her home from the hospital. Just a simple song I came up with in the middle of one of those sleepless nights. She got totally silent, just listening and snuggling. We moved to the couch and I let her watch a little TV. After we had been there a few minutes she asked "Mommy, what did you sing for me?" I told her it was the song I always sing when she's upset. She said "I really love that song. I love you, mommy." Oh boy, talk about melting this momma's heart.

I love that God gives us moments like that. Little, almost insignificant moments that refresh our souls and nurture our spirits. On a day when I felt like I could run away and be declared insane, God used a precious little moment to remind me of why I stay home. Why I want to spend my days pouring into the soul of that little girl. So she can one day grow up and understand what it's like to be loved unconditionally by her mommy and daddy. So she can have the confidence and courage to live out the will God has for her life. What a blessing these days are.

Hello 21st century!

Why hello, blog world! We are officially out of the dark ages here in the Chastain home - we have internet again after...wait for it...4 YEARS! Though our youth group thinks we're absolutely archaic for not having the World Wide Web, it's really been a blessing for our family. Not just financially, though obviously that helped! It's sort of been freeing not knowing much about the happenings of the world around us. We've now completely cut out cable and though I didn't think I could make it, it's now been almost 5 months and I don't miss it! Don't even want it back. My husband can be pretty smart when he wants to be :)

Just for updating purposes, we bought our first home back in November. Our precious girl will be 3 years old this summer (impossible!) and the hubby is still the youth minister at our church. And because apparently I just love to torture myself, I am also performing in a musical at our local university in 3 weeks! Good gravy, I need another 2 months to prepare for that! Anyway, blog world, I hope we can be friends and continue to be in each others lives. Maybe now that we've joined the 21st century again, that won't be a problem!

I posted this verse on my Facebook earlier, but it has just stuck in my heart so much that I'll post here too :)

"Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy." Zephaniah 3:17
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