Saturday confessions

1.  In the previous post, I mentioned my addiction to Burt's Bees lip balm...well, I think the more appropriate word would be obsession. I could eat the stuff! I have found some tinted Burt's Bees lip balm. Oh the love! All those who make fun of my bright lips...well, I think you'll be impressed. (Not to say that "old faithful" bright red & pink have been retired. Oh no, oh no! Just a little variation.)

2.  Today, I painted Allie Beth's highchair. I will never, ever, ever...I repeat, ever paint anything that has spindles!! I can't imagine what in the world I was thinking! It's done. It looks like mess. Good thing it's just a highchair:)

3.  I'm still looking for a round wooden pedestal table and chairs. I found some on Craigslist. I have never even looked at Craigslist and now that I have I was way better off before I did! It has everything! And I need it all;)

4.  The kiddos are taking ISR swimming lessons. After the first day I wondered if they I would make it for 4 weeks. They both screamed the entire time. I wished I could scream. But with week one behind us, I am impressed. I do believe this was a good move. I'm excited to see more.

5.  I love Sarah's Summer House.

6.  I think I discovered this week that I need to try a new deodorant.

7.  A few weeks ago I had a lovely little grocery trip;) First, I almost punched out a 50 year old woman. She was very, very, very, (have I said very).....rude! The short version is---John Luke accidently bumped into her with the buggy and I thought she was going to take his head off. Wow! Then two isles over, I was searching for a box of cornstarch, still fuming from the old bitty, and all of a sudden I feel my dress go up to my head. Yep. The evil demon passed through the old bitty right into John Luke and made him pull my dress up! I thought I was going to take his head off. I was mortified. We left. Let's just say he will never, ever try that again.

8.  I'm very thankful for my children's MDO teachers. They love my children and I love them for that. Maybe there will never be any dress mishaps. That could change things.

9.  Sleep is most wonderful. Especially when doing it with such precious-ness;)

10.  A fountain Diet Coke for $.75 is one of life's sweetest pleasures. And the ice left after the drink is gone is a super bonus.

11. The peacefulness of the night after everyone is tucked away tightly is probably one of my greatest loves.  Watching whatever on T.V. Reading a book. Blogging. Conversating with the hubs. I look forward to it daily. You just can't beat it!

Check out A Familiar Path for more confessions....

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Goodnight and beware of dress snatchers!

Saturday confessions

1.  I should be doing something else right now.

2.  My children's fingernails look like we spend our free time digging in big piles of poop.

3.  I have had 3 showers today. It's really hot!

4.  I walked a 5k today and thought I was actually going to die in the process. I am serious.

5.  I have an addiction to Burts Bees chapstick. I will wipe it on my lips for 5 solid minutes. 

6.  I set my alarm clock for 5:30 every morning this week. I actually got up when it went off one morning.

7.  Biore nose strips give me much pleasure. Especially on my husband's nose. Gross. Yes. Gross. I know.

Goodnight!

Fresh grace

Anxiety almost always fuels the need to control.

{Journey}

Am I a controlling person by nature? A little bossy from time to time, yes. Okay, a lot of the time (according to those around me most}. But, controlling? Hmmmm.... 

I find being in control of the situation instead of the person is more my speed. There's a difference,... right?

I like to plan. Move from point A to point B with ease. No distractions. No bumps in the road. Certainly no detours. I prefer things are smooth sailing. No waves. I'm not a "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda girl. I am not spontaneous. Quite boring is just what I am.

I would like to be more daring. Maybe not so boring.

 Don't get me wrong. I do like to have fun. And I'm not really picky about what kind of fun, just so it's scheduled. See, as I said... boring.

I've always been an organized, clean freak. But I wasn't always so boring. In fact, I was daring. Very daring, and a tad bit rebellious. If it was fun, I was in! "Back then" life was different. I'd say very different.

Then, in a split second everything changed. The change has two names. They are fairly short in stature. Extremely loud. They need constant care. They get hungry. Thirsty. Tired. Ill. They whine. Cry. Ask me 365 zillion questions a day. They are messy with a capital M.E.S.S.Y. They climb on things. They fall off of things. They are non-stop.

{dancin' with daddy}

 They have fears. They have hopes. They see things differently than me. Is that okay?

They most definitely do not work on a schedule.

They're not supposed to!

 I will learn to throw away the plans. Allow the chaos. Embrace the moment. Except the mistakes.

 Show more grace.

Grace-based families are homes where children are given:

1.  The freedom to be different

2.  The freedom to be vulnerable

3.  The freedom to be candid

4.  The freedom to make mistakes

{Grace Based Parenting} 

I don't want my children to grow up in a home where they aren't free to be who God uniquely created them to be. I don't want them to end up as "mini-me's". I simply want to make sure that our children's home reflects the spirit of the relationship that God maintains with us---grace.

In his book, Grace Based Parenting, Tim Kimmel writes, "I defend the right of children to be different if for no other reason than the fact that they are children. They are young. Their hearts stir with an almost miraculous sense of wonder. Their young minds run wild and sometimes perform crazy gauntlets within their imaginations. God made them this way." He tells a story of his son wanting to bleach his hair. Something that was frowned upon and thought of as devilish. "What will my friends think?" "Out of fear of what relatives, friends, or those in authority might say, many parents react to their children's tendencies to be different in a way that closes their spirits. When that happens, it can close their spirits for good."

At this point I don't think John Luke will be wanting to bleach his hair, but I can apply this same thought to his personality. Why do I consider his shyness as a negative characteristic? If he doesn't "jump in" there with the rest of the kids, maybe he's discerning...thinks things through. Or maybe he is shy. Who cares! He's 4!

God cares more about the length of a child's character than He does about the length of his hair.....or his list of friends.....or........

There's room to be different. For everyone. Child or adult.

Grace. Isn't it refreshing? 

Saturday confessions



1. So thankful for the rain!
2. We spend more time outside than in. Even if it's raining. I think most of our neighbors think we are weirdos. We are.

 

3.   I'm beginning to like the cover over the deck a little more. Especially when I can enjoy the sunset even when it's raining.

4.   I'm kinda fond of the sky. The cows are fond of us. We don't mind. They're pretty good company.

 

  5.   I'm still shocked by the devastation from the storms.  So, so sad....



   {Here are some wonderful ways in which you can help if you would like.}

6.   I'm itchin' to do some more painting....my kitchen table.
7.   My kiddos love Fruit Loops w/ marshmellows. I do too!
8.  We have spent approximately 137 hours in the pool this week. The best $15 ever spent!


9.  I'm really proud of the littlest sister....she graduated from college. Not only graduated, but did it with honors!


10.   My garden is pitiful. The squash are good. The rest is not. I've already lost two tomato plants. I'm about to lose the other 20 I've planted. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. But I'm determined! I can just taste a juicy tomato on some fresh white bread with lots of mayo {the real deal, no low-fat junk!}, and salt & pepper! Yummy!

What a beautiful day! It was close to perfect!

In tha Muthahood

Another one for all the fellow mamas feeling the stress of "Tha muthahood!"
*First,don't forget to mute the playlist at the very bottom of the page.



It's raining, it's pouring

Do any of you have those days, weeks, months that seem like your world is crumbling and you just cannot hang on!??! I'm there! The old sayin' is so true..."when it rains it pours"! Too much chaos. Stressed out. Too many decisions. Drama, Drama. Kids have totally gone slap crazy. I've gone slap crazy!  Me and the husband---well you know. I feel like a complete failure at motherhood. A complete failure at being a wife. House repairs. Bills. Broken toe. I know. I know. You say "it's life"! Get over it!" And you are right, it is life. And I know. We all go through it. But can you please tell me how to do it? This thing called life. Has anybody figured it out?!!

For a little encouragement, let me pass on something that totally lifted me after a complete meltdown two days ago....
I was driving down the road. I had had 'one of those days' again. Surprisingly I wasn't in tears. Yet. The normal was playing on the CD player---children's music. (Btw, do any of you with children listen to anything of adult nature anymore?!?) So, I'm in another world, the kids are riding in silence b/c I had just bit their head off for the 15th time, and this song comes on. My mind comes back, my ears perk up, and I listen. (Do you think it was coincidence? I think not.) Immediately the tears start streaming.....

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father's throne. Make all my wants and wishes known! In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter's snare. By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless: And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His word and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my every care, And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, may I Thy consolation share, Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I'll drop and rise to seize the everlasting prize: And shout, while passing thro' the air, "Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

Thank you Lord, that this a season. This too shall pass!  Thank you that I can come freely before You. Casting all my cares upon You. And one day I'll shout while passing thro' the air, "Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!

***Funny little story...I just finished sweeping the floor, and John Luke comes in, sits down on the floor, pulls his boot off, turns it upside down and pours out a sandbox. He says, "Whoa! Whoa! WHOA! That's a lotta dirt. Then he takes his other boot off, turns it upside down, pours out another sandbox and says "Whoa! That's a whole lotta dirt!!"

Life!!!!!!

September 11, 2001

Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.

---George W. Bush

May 1, 2011

Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

---George W. Bush

"Freedom itself was attacked this morning and I assure you freedom will be defended. Make no mistake. The United States will hunt down and pursue those responsible for these cowardly actions."
George W. Bush 9/11/2001

"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

                                                  George W. Bush, September 20, 2001

"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

         George W. Bush, Speech after 9/11 attacks

"Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."

                                                    George W. Bush, September 20, 2001