I truly love the Lenten season. I think it is my favorite holy season. This year, we are doing something a bit different. Instead of our usual "giving up" for Lent, we are adding things into our lives. We want to bring our family closer together and closer to God. Each week, we will add in something new to our lives. This week, Chris and I are starting to pray as a couple. We did this a few times during our study of In Love and War by John and Stasi Eldridge. (Excellent book for couples!!) We really could tell a different in our days and nights whenever we did this. We got out of the habit and have both missed it.
Next week, we will add in the habit of simplifying our stuff. This is an effort to make our lives easier and free up more time by getting rid of stuff. Then, we will add in a family walk every night. We also want to give more. Not of money but of ourselves to people who need help. I feel like we give a lot of ourselves at church through the things we help with but I just don't see how we are giving of ourselves to our neighbors who may need some help.
So, what are you doing for the Lenten season?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Giggles at Bedtime
So, last night, C put K to bed. I was doing some reading for school and missed out on the going to bed routine. I went in after my reading to check on him. He was still awake - as usual! He asked me to tell him a story. A few nights ago, I got tired of reading books to him, mainly because he chooses the same ones over and over and over and over again (mind you, he has shelves full of books!!) So, I told him a story about a little boy named K who was very special because he could make his mommy, and his daddy, and his sister laugh. He was also EXTRA special since he could also fly. I now realize I have created a storytelling machine!! He only wants me to tell him stories now. These stories have to include Batman and a very ugly witch (his arch nemesis) at some point in the story. Who knew Batman loved Hawaiian Falls as much as K does! Anyways, I walked into his room and saw that he was still awake. He turned and looked at me. I started trying to sneak in quietly in a very exaggerated way. He started cracking up and asking my why did I do that. Well, he was laughing which got me to laughing. We both laughed - belly laughs - for about 5 minutes straight. It was hilarious!! His laughter just cracks me up! There are many things that make me laugh (one involves extremely small backpacks), but there are a very few things that light up my soul. K is one of them. Is there a word to describe such joy and love and blessedness and praise that he makes me feel in the very center of my being? If so, I have yet to find it. I guess it can go back to the meaning of his name: little fiery one. I always took that to mean that he would be a big ol' ball of spitfire. But, reflecting on it now, I can totally see in a different way: his fiery light warms my soul. While he does have many spitfire moments (3s are definitely worse than 2s), he truly makes me happy. I am so looking forward to the days when A becomes her own little person, and we see God's work in her. But I am quiet content to sit there and hold her and enjoy the moments.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday Lunch
It has become a tradition in my family that we go out to eat after church. This saves someone from having to cook right after church. Plus, it really has become a great family time. Yesterday was no exception.
My nephew decided on lunch before my parents had left the driveway. He chose Steak N Shake - a family fav. We had not been in a while so we were all looking forward to it. What made this a special lunch for me was that we had company join us. The Smiths and the Palmers ate with us. Now, these people are like my second family. They have known me since before I was born and are very important to me. They always make me laugh and a such a joy to be with. I think it is so cool that M. Palmer babysat me. I babysat J. Palmer. M. Palmer and J. Palmer and J. Smith all babysat K. They can't wait to babysit Miss A! They have been there for the good times and have helped me through some rough times. I feel so very, very blessed by them. M and J regularly join us for lunch so have J and C come too was a thrill!! We all had a great time at lunch. J shared his fries with K. Ok, he shared a few fries and K took a few more! We oohed and aahhed over everyone's shakes. We shot straw wrappers at each other. And we laughed!! I kept thinking about lunch all day and what a great time we had. It made me realize that God doesn't just put people in our lives randomly. He plans not only the places but the exact times. It is so very humbling when you feel his grace through others. Just by them being there, the Smiths and the Palmers graced us. It was more than a good time. It was a God time for me.
My nephew decided on lunch before my parents had left the driveway. He chose Steak N Shake - a family fav. We had not been in a while so we were all looking forward to it. What made this a special lunch for me was that we had company join us. The Smiths and the Palmers ate with us. Now, these people are like my second family. They have known me since before I was born and are very important to me. They always make me laugh and a such a joy to be with. I think it is so cool that M. Palmer babysat me. I babysat J. Palmer. M. Palmer and J. Palmer and J. Smith all babysat K. They can't wait to babysit Miss A! They have been there for the good times and have helped me through some rough times. I feel so very, very blessed by them. M and J regularly join us for lunch so have J and C come too was a thrill!! We all had a great time at lunch. J shared his fries with K. Ok, he shared a few fries and K took a few more! We oohed and aahhed over everyone's shakes. We shot straw wrappers at each other. And we laughed!! I kept thinking about lunch all day and what a great time we had. It made me realize that God doesn't just put people in our lives randomly. He plans not only the places but the exact times. It is so very humbling when you feel his grace through others. Just by them being there, the Smiths and the Palmers graced us. It was more than a good time. It was a God time for me.
New Blog
I made a new blog to go along with my Homemade Gourmet Business. Check it out and let me know what you think! www.hgandme.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wondering what my password is......
I know....I have been neglecting my blog for way too long. But I have been busy. Still have a 4.0 in my masters classes (three more semesters left!). K is now 3 1/2. If he makes to for, it is only by God's grace - seriously!! Hmmm...what else...Oh yeah - our family welcomed a beautiful baby girl in December!!
So, everyone asks questions about her. Is she sleeping through the night? (Mostly) Who does she look like? (Everyone says K though a few say me) Is it fun having a girl? (YES!! Hello!!! The clothes!!) Can I take her home? (NO!! Waited to long for this one!)
A has a very special place in both sides of the family - the only girl. I was thrilled to learn we were having a girl. But then, the pressure hit me. I certainly do not want her to have to go through all of the body image issues I have dealt with - who does?? Plus, I want her to be strong yet caring, smart yet always thirsting for knowledge. I feel so blessed that she has such wonderful people as her grandmothers. She has three of them. They are all different but filled with overflowing love. She also has so many men in her life that adore her, namely my father and K. He told me last night that he wanted me to give A to him so that he could hold her. He said he was strong enough! He truly loves her in way that is beautiful. I so want my children to be close to their siblings. Neither my husband nor I was and we both feel like we missed out. Any suggestions you have for keeping the love between kiddos is greatly appreciated!
My favorite part of the day is when I pick her up from daycare. It takes her a second and then she sees it is me. She gives the biggest smile and starts wiggling. - melts my heart! Then here comes K, fighting pirates or stormtroopers, and he stops to give my legs a squeeze.
Ahhh...blessed!
So, everyone asks questions about her. Is she sleeping through the night? (Mostly) Who does she look like? (Everyone says K though a few say me) Is it fun having a girl? (YES!! Hello!!! The clothes!!) Can I take her home? (NO!! Waited to long for this one!)
A has a very special place in both sides of the family - the only girl. I was thrilled to learn we were having a girl. But then, the pressure hit me. I certainly do not want her to have to go through all of the body image issues I have dealt with - who does?? Plus, I want her to be strong yet caring, smart yet always thirsting for knowledge. I feel so blessed that she has such wonderful people as her grandmothers. She has three of them. They are all different but filled with overflowing love. She also has so many men in her life that adore her, namely my father and K. He told me last night that he wanted me to give A to him so that he could hold her. He said he was strong enough! He truly loves her in way that is beautiful. I so want my children to be close to their siblings. Neither my husband nor I was and we both feel like we missed out. Any suggestions you have for keeping the love between kiddos is greatly appreciated!
My favorite part of the day is when I pick her up from daycare. It takes her a second and then she sees it is me. She gives the biggest smile and starts wiggling. - melts my heart! Then here comes K, fighting pirates or stormtroopers, and he stops to give my legs a squeeze.
Ahhh...blessed!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What?? Fat Tuesday already??
Goodness, it really seems like Easter gets earlier and earlier! Honestly though, I don't mind. I truly enjoy the Lenten season. Our church kicks it off with an Ash Wednesday service. It is C's favorite service and one of mine too. Our ministers have us write what we are giving up for lent on a card. We then pass in our cards and a few of the members take all the cards outside and burn them, along with the palms from last year's Palm Sunday. The ashes are brought back inside and mixed with black paint. Then, each member gets to draw a cross with the paint on burlap. To me, it is so comforting to see our three crosses looking back at me during this season. Yes, even K gets a little cross! I do wish the service was in the morning so I could wear the cross on my forehead all day. To me, it is such a powerful reminder of the cross Jesus suffered on for little old me.
And, of course, C and I have to rack our brains to figure out what to give up for Lent. There are so many things that we have given up previously that just are not a part of our lives anymore, like TV. so, this year, we have decided that as a family, we are giving up on going out to eat, even if other people are paying. I really want to take this time to focus on how our family shares meals. Plus, I have totally missed cooking in my kitchen!! I do believe that the dinner table keeps the family together. We did not eat together as a family often when I was growing up since Dad worked and Mom had work to do at home. I'm not meaning this to dis my parents since I know they did it for me and my brother. But I cannot tell you the joy that my soul takes on when sharing meals with family and friends. I think it plays in part to our desire to have a large family. I always cook more than enough food so we have a pretty stocked freezer. I just want to be able to get my family into the habit of dinners together.
And, of course, C and I have to rack our brains to figure out what to give up for Lent. There are so many things that we have given up previously that just are not a part of our lives anymore, like TV. so, this year, we have decided that as a family, we are giving up on going out to eat, even if other people are paying. I really want to take this time to focus on how our family shares meals. Plus, I have totally missed cooking in my kitchen!! I do believe that the dinner table keeps the family together. We did not eat together as a family often when I was growing up since Dad worked and Mom had work to do at home. I'm not meaning this to dis my parents since I know they did it for me and my brother. But I cannot tell you the joy that my soul takes on when sharing meals with family and friends. I think it plays in part to our desire to have a large family. I always cook more than enough food so we have a pretty stocked freezer. I just want to be able to get my family into the habit of dinners together.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Our Halloween Excitement
Our day started off with breakfast and just taking it easy around the house. Momma had a Spa Party at her house during nap time. I got to go get pampered while C enjoyed the quiet time. If you have never tried Beauticontrol products, I highly recommend them, I used to sell Mary Kay and loved it. But these products do so much more with less steps. Plus, I really like Nancy, my consultant. They have some great products for people with dry skin including a bath soak that Nancy's grandson uses to help with his severe eczema. Anyways, had a great time getting pampered and visiting with friends. I also made a sale for my Moocher Munchies business. One of the gals placed an order so that she can have some snacks when her family comes to visit for Thanksgiving - yeah!!
After the party, I got my guys and headed up to a Fall Carnival at our friends' church. K had a great time one the bounce houses. His favorite part was the cotton candy!! That was a mess to clean up! After all that fun, including winning some goodies at the cake walk, we headed to Monterrey's for some dinner. While waiting for our food, the friends that we had just seen at their church walked in - how funny! It is always better to have friends that like the same eateries as you do!! We visited and ate and then headed over to our church to set up for Trunk or Treat. I truly love this way of trick or treating as we get to come together as a church family and have a great time. We had so many families come through!! It was fabulous to be able to serve our community. So many churches are moving from the north side of town, where our church is and we live, to the south side of town, where more affluent families live. We, as a church, have decided that the community we are called to serve is right where we are. So we are staying!! After all that fun, we trudged our tired Batman home, ready to crawl into bed. C had some unloading to do in the garage, so I went and got K dressed for bed. C came running into K's room and told us to come out to the garage. We had a visitor!! We went out and stood in the doorway to the garage and met our visitor - a birdie! The poor little thing was trying to fin the way out and would only fly above the garage door! I went and got a loaf of bread to try to coax it the right way but that wasn't working. Suddenly, it flew start for me and K in the doorway. We ducked and the bird flew INTO OUR HOUSE!! I screamed. K went looking for the bird to give it bread. C starting chasing it down. Luckily, the dogs were already outside but the cats were somewhere in the house. I set out to find them and shut the doors to the bedrooms. The birdie flew into K's room where one of the cats was. I quickly grabbed for Daisy and put her into the guest room. The birdie then flew out into the dining room. I called my parents and told them to come right over. Then, our other cat caught the bird in her mouth!!! Somehow the bird got loose and C grabbed the cat and put her in the guest room. Now the birdie was freaking out and flying all over the house!! Mom and Dad got there and just started laughing. First a snake, now a bird!! It kept flying from the back of the house to the laundry room and into the dining room. C opened up the front door to try to coax it out but nothing was working. And poor K is trying to chase down the bird to give it some bread!! Eventually, Momma was able to block off the birdie's path to the living room. It went around her and went straight for the laundry room again. Daddy was able to block it from going that way and it flew out the garage door. We were all happy that it found it's way. Then we wondered if it had left the garage or was still in there. I ventured out and, sure enough, it was still in the garage! After a few minutes, we were able to get it to fly out of the garage and into the world. After all this, we took about an hour or so to calm back down. What an adventure!
FYI - We checked the next morning. No dead birds in the yard - yeah!!
After the party, I got my guys and headed up to a Fall Carnival at our friends' church. K had a great time one the bounce houses. His favorite part was the cotton candy!! That was a mess to clean up! After all that fun, including winning some goodies at the cake walk, we headed to Monterrey's for some dinner. While waiting for our food, the friends that we had just seen at their church walked in - how funny! It is always better to have friends that like the same eateries as you do!! We visited and ate and then headed over to our church to set up for Trunk or Treat. I truly love this way of trick or treating as we get to come together as a church family and have a great time. We had so many families come through!! It was fabulous to be able to serve our community. So many churches are moving from the north side of town, where our church is and we live, to the south side of town, where more affluent families live. We, as a church, have decided that the community we are called to serve is right where we are. So we are staying!! After all that fun, we trudged our tired Batman home, ready to crawl into bed. C had some unloading to do in the garage, so I went and got K dressed for bed. C came running into K's room and told us to come out to the garage. We had a visitor!! We went out and stood in the doorway to the garage and met our visitor - a birdie! The poor little thing was trying to fin the way out and would only fly above the garage door! I went and got a loaf of bread to try to coax it the right way but that wasn't working. Suddenly, it flew start for me and K in the doorway. We ducked and the bird flew INTO OUR HOUSE!! I screamed. K went looking for the bird to give it bread. C starting chasing it down. Luckily, the dogs were already outside but the cats were somewhere in the house. I set out to find them and shut the doors to the bedrooms. The birdie flew into K's room where one of the cats was. I quickly grabbed for Daisy and put her into the guest room. The birdie then flew out into the dining room. I called my parents and told them to come right over. Then, our other cat caught the bird in her mouth!!! Somehow the bird got loose and C grabbed the cat and put her in the guest room. Now the birdie was freaking out and flying all over the house!! Mom and Dad got there and just started laughing. First a snake, now a bird!! It kept flying from the back of the house to the laundry room and into the dining room. C opened up the front door to try to coax it out but nothing was working. And poor K is trying to chase down the bird to give it some bread!! Eventually, Momma was able to block off the birdie's path to the living room. It went around her and went straight for the laundry room again. Daddy was able to block it from going that way and it flew out the garage door. We were all happy that it found it's way. Then we wondered if it had left the garage or was still in there. I ventured out and, sure enough, it was still in the garage! After a few minutes, we were able to get it to fly out of the garage and into the world. After all this, we took about an hour or so to calm back down. What an adventure!
FYI - We checked the next morning. No dead birds in the yard - yeah!!
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