Three weeks into January, and I have not posted a single update about the Bible in 90 Days Challenge. This is not for lack of interest or commitment, but rather my inability to put into words all that I am learning.
I must also confess that I am behind in my reading. By several days. It pains me to even type those words! But I am not at all considering giving up thanks to Amy and her tough love. And thanks to all the wonderfully encouraging women on Twitter who remind me every day why I am doing this and why I love this community.
I am still plugging along, bit by bit. And I will get caught up. Maybe not right away, but that is alright. I am learning and loving God’s Word on a whole new level. Some days leave me scratching my head and others leave me basking in the love of my Savior.
If I may share my little excuse for getting behind. This little stinker… does. not. sleep.
9 months old in his new beanie from Mimi's Babies
About 3 weeks ago, Colin decided to give up his 3rd nap. And then he decided he wasn’t really interested in solid food anymore. And then he started cutting his upper teeth. This has all led to many sleepless nights and one very tired mama. Sigh.
The other night, my husband found me like this:
The pictures says it all, right? My hubby of course thought it was hilarious so he snapped this with his Blackberry.
I wasn’t planning to post this photo but a few blogging pals insisted. You-know-who-are. Perhaps my bed is not the best place to read my Bible, huh?
I know that in order to get back on track, I must get more sleep. So if you have any tips for this tired, co-sleeping, nursing, has-tried-everything-in-the-book mom, I am all ears!
This post is linked to Friday Fails at My Blessed Life.
Alyssa don’t feel bad. I am behind by about a week. I am still keeping at it. I don’t have the bible in 90 days but rather the women’s true identity bible. It has sections broken down and other things for me to ponder so it has been a little easy to get side track checking out other scriptures. This challenge though has really helped me find my faith again and think about changes that we need to make in our life. It has been a true blessing. My plan is to try and get caught up over the next few days by reading 2 days worth.
Mp3 bible. I listen as I fold laundry, etc. My hubby points out that it is not as in depth as sitting down to study, but, as you point out, if I sit down for long enough, I will go to sleep anyway. I got am Mp3 Bible at cbd.com for $15 with some Christmas cash. There are also website (biblegateway) that offer audio files. Hope that helps.
I enjoy reading it this way so much, because I can connect passages that I have never do so before. My attention span is too short to connect the ideas in the course of a whole year.
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I’m glad that I’m not the only one behind! Seriously!
And I’m way proud of you for posting the picture! It’s great!!! 🙂 Oh and I love, love, love C’s beanie!
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You are so cute!!!
Keep at it, Alyssa! You can do it! We’ll all be so glad when we get to the end and realize we have read all of God’s word!
You’ll get caught up! I am also behind in my journey to read the Bible in a year. I can’t imagine trying to do it in 90 days…yet 🙂
I’m behind too!! I WOH and there just are not enough hours in the day for me to get it all in. I’m still in Judges, if that makes you feel any better- you’re not alone!
I don’t know what to do and I don’t have any advice on more sleep… I’m going to try to catch up this weekend.
My best tip is to try to get in 5 min. of reading here and 10 min. of reading there instead of trying to sit down and do it all at once. Unfortuntely, I haven’t been budgeting my 5-10 min. very well lately, thus I have a ways to go to catch up. But I’m committed to finishing!!
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I’m behind too! We may end up being the Bible in (a-little-tiny-bit-more-than) 90 Days club, but the important thing is that we stick to it and keep reading. There is nothing like spending time in God’s Word. And I know He’ll honor our faithfulness in reading…even if we are a little behind. We can do it!
Well, all I can say is that you would be getting a lot less sleep if you weren’t co-sleeping! And- I feel your pain!! My 7 1/2 month old is also teething and wake up for crazy amounts of time at night! Hang in there mama!
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I’m behind too, but not giving up! Cute little guy you must sleep!
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Have you thought about trying the book On Becoming Babywise? I know scheduling gets a bad rap when it comes to babies, but I did not follow an exact time schedule with my son. I just used it as a guideline and within days my son was sleeping a whole lot better. We even had other people comment on what a happier baby he was because he was getting more rest, and a happier baby leads to a happier, more rested overall better mom.
I was going to suggest Babywise too! I have a 2 year and and 8 month old! Didn’t do it with the first son and hes a terrible sleeper, did it with my second son and he slept through the night by 7 weeks! Give it a shot! Im a better and happier mom this time around because Im getting sleep!
OH.MY.GOSH He is the most adorable things EVER!!!!!! I want to hold him right now..and that’s saying a lot coming from me;) lol
gosh he’s a cutie Lys.
Maybe you should read the Bible in the bathroom so that you can get to sleep earlier. *snort*
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I know you’re joking, but the only way I’m keeping up is by reading in the bathroom.
My husband reports that my son asked the other day, “What takes MomMom *so long* in the bathroom?”
I don’t think P managed an answer because he was laughing so hard.
I am PROUD of you for confessing.. . and I know you can catch back up. Even if you ‘have to’ snuggle that absolutely adorable hunk of love all the time!!
I know I can relate with that sleeping photo… although I hate to admit it. 🙂
Hang in there and keep reading as you can. Breaking it up and even reading in 5-10 minute increments as Sturgmom suggested is a great way to get it done without being overwhelmed.
I find that if I wait until the evening it is MUCH harder to do, so see if you can start with a quick 10 minute read in the morning and go from there.
As for gaining more sleep.. I’d love to know the answer the THAT one!!
You will get caught up!! Someone else mentioned it, but try listening. It is different than sitting down to read, but sometimes you get a totally different perspective on a passage, when you hear it. Plus, you can use time that your hands are occupied, but your mind doesn’t necessarily need to be engaged – nursing, folding laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming… Or you could try listening and reading at the same time. It may help you follow along, and keep your reading moving at a good pace, and not allow your mind to wander (or drift off to sleep 😉 ). Plus, you may retain more of your reading when using more than one “sense” (reading AND listening, as opposed to just one).
Just a few things that have helped me catch up, or stay on track when I have done this in the past. 🙂 Stick with it – it is SO worth it!!
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SO very glad you posted this! I have not posted an update on it for the same reason – I am about a week behind as well! For many reasons (and distractions)! It’s good to know we are not alone in our challenges! Keep up keeping on, and I will too! 🙂 Your little man is absolutely precious!
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You can get caught up and do this! I am speaking from experience. :). Your little man is so precious! It will get better! I’m also a sah, co-sleeping, nursing mom. My baby turned two today, but she’s still in my bed & still nursing. I got 5 full days behind, but managed to catch up one night when she actually went to bed early. Do you have a smartphone? Having the Bible app has really helped me a ton. I hold it and read whenever she nurses. That has been a huge help with keeping me caught up. It’s my companion all the time. Good luck! Ask God to show you where there’s extra time. If you need to put something on hold for these next two months, most things can be put off or part way done for two months to stay caught up.
.-= Jessie´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days… =-.
I am behind, too. But, as you already said: it’s still good that we’re reading, even if not exactly on schedule!
I don’t know about co-sleeping, but I do know that the Babywise book is something I recommend to ALL my friends when they are pregnant or have young children. You might want to take a look at it and see if you can make it work for you, too! 🙂 I hope you get some rest soon!
Alyssa,
First, I want to say that Colin is absolutely adorable. You are so blessed. About the reading, I was feeling overwhelmed with the reading and homework for a new class at church that I started (Beth Moore-Breaking Free). I really felt that the class needed to be my priority at this “season” of my life, but did not want to give up on our reading. I prayed that night asked God to help me to stay calm and not feel anxiety over doing both if he thought I should continue with both. If I woke up anxious, I would know he wanted me to concentrate on only one. I woke up the next morning and felt a real calmness overcome me and realized that I could do both by putting the class homework first and then doing the readings when I could. A week later, I have been able to keep up on my homework and I am ahead a few days in my reading. I may not stay ahead, but that’s okay. Pray on it and see what answer He gives you!
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I know most co-sleeping moms get pretty nervous about the Babywise thing because it’s been criticized by all the other co-sleeping moms they know. If you can read it with an open mind to just pick up a few tips, rather than seeing it as a set-in-concrete plan for every day, it might help. It was a sanity-saver for me! I hope you can find something that works for you and your family. I know it’s hard– everyone is probably giving you conflicting advice! I pray that you will find what works for YOU and that you will have the grace to ignore all the advice that doesn’t help. 🙂
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I am so glad Troy took this picture. Give him a high-five for me, m’kay?
*muah*
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Keep up the good work ladies! You will be blessed beyond belief!
I love this picture. I do this all of the time!
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Love the pic of you sleeping … shows a tired mama:) What’s funny is I was reading through Google Reader & the ad on your page at the time was for “zeo Sleep Well” … 🙂
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Both pictures are so cute. He’s such a little sweetie and I love the beanie. Yes, the bed may not be the best place to read your bible. 🙂 I remember the sleepless nights and still trying to do things that are important, and not being able to get through them. Is there time you can read a few moments in the morning while the baby is in the high chair? I don’t want you to give up because I know when I was reading my Bible I would get behind and get discouraged and stop. For the same reasons.
Try something different each day. You may have to get a little creative during your most energetic times and then when the current teething is over, and he can entertain himself about 10 minutes or so then you’ll be back on track. You’re doing a great job. I hope you get some rest son … Kiss that sweet babies cheek for me and tell him we all said take a long nap everyday this week. 🙂
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Okay, sounds like most of us are a bit behind! My little tip is to read out loud. I have a toddler, and I try to read the Bible out loud to her as she plays. She likes the sound of my voice, I’m getting study time in, and she’s hearing good things. :o)
I don’t normally comment, but I wanted to say I stubbled on to your site about the time you posted about the 90 day challange. At first I told myself I’d never be able to read that much in a day, but I finally decided to try. I have to say it’s been amazing how much I’m learning and how much it’s making my days go better. God really blesses when we spend time reading His Word. And what an example we set for our children. I love to hear my 2 year old say, “Mommy are you reading the Bible today?” Thank you so much for the challange.
How is this going? I didn’t start it this time around but I hope to in the future. Just wondering– haven’t seen you post about it in awhile! 🙂
Alyssa, you seem to be a pretty active mom. What kind of tips were you looking for? For tiredness, for bible reading?
Hilda, I was looking for tips to get the baby to sleep all night. You would think that by my third kid I would have it down, but no! 😉
Hi Alyssa,by the way ,that is a very pretty name.! I too have 3 children, all grown up though. We moms need to be easy on ourselves.We many times feel that when things aren’t going right it’s because we haven’t gotten it down. You seem to be a wonderful,caring,loving mom.When my children were babies,at times a warm bath before bedtime would help,or shortening their day naps,or no naps at all. GOD gave you wisdom for your 1st 2 babies,HE will surely give you wisdom for this baby. GOD bless you
after all that, and having talked to you in person about this, i have one thing to say. I. LOVE. THAT. HAT. 🙂 Mwah.
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