Life in the Parsonage

The Lesson Never Ends...

2013-05-22T12:09:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking lately about people's behavior. Christians in particular. And I sorta think we can be placed in one of two categories.

1 - Those who fully grasp the weight of their own shortcomings and because of that are able to offer love and grace to those around them. They are genuinely a joy to be around...even on their bad days.

And...

2 - There are those whose plank-filled eyes knock-out everyone they come into contact with. They literally hurt to be around. The plank of self-righteousness bruises and batters, unless the people around them get good at learning to dodge it...which means they please and agree i.e. duck and weave.

Over simplified? Yes. But true? I think so.

I've walked in both categories. Sometimes flip-flopping back and forth moment by moment. Each is a choice. I can choose to have and be joy, or I can choose to have and be misery. It's a choice I have every moment. Everyday.

I choose joy. And it's hard, and I fail often...because in my own strength, I literally want to beat some people with the plank in my eye.

I mean realllly beat them with it.

But I've been on the other end of that beating...and it hurts. And it brings destruction. That is not the legacy I choose. I want to encourage.

The only way I can choose and be joy is Christ through me. I can't muster up enough in me to do it on my own. Any good that comes through me...is Him. Christ in me.

I am so very thankful for those in my life that bring joy. Their lives speak, and live and breathe truth. They point to Jesus, rather to themselves. They encourage me that it is possible to live outside myself. To choose to dwell on good in other people and in the circumstances of life.

And without the plank-filled beatings I've received, I may never have grasped my own destructive behavior.

Matthew 7:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear Lucy playing in the toilet upstairs. Again.

Life lesson #50028

Killing May

2013-05-08T17:28:00.000-05:00

May is sort of killing me. It's like a million different things going on all the time.

One of my favorite quotes is by John Owen "Be killing sin or it will be killing you." There's more to that quote, I cut the first part off. Whatever, it's May and I have to hurry.

Point: My new quote is "Be killing May or it will be killing you."

Seriously.

And what do you do, if you're me, and it's already a crazy/busy month? You decide to paint things that don't actually have to be painted.

My theory is, if life is crazy, just go ahead and make it crazier. Go big or go home.

Barstools...

And the front door. It's navy...and hard to get a good pic of.

And we planted some flowers...

Jake had a spring concert so we dressed him up snazzy (in his Easter clothes) and he was adorable.

This is my extra annoyed fake smile because he wouldn't stop being so "adorable."

And this is my new favorite neon polka dotted shirt that I found on sale at the J Crew Factory store (online.) If I could wear it every day I would. I'm kidding. I can wear it everyday and I will. If something is dotted or striped or glittered it is automatically in my love pile.

Did I mention that I am super happy that neon is back again. It's like 7th grade all over again. I'll try to avoid it from head to toe this time...but I make no promises.

We have our closing Bible Club program tonight (kids ministry) and then I will have officially "killed" May 8th.

Should've Been

2013-05-03T13:30:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I listen to a song over and over for days on end.

This song is the one I've been listening to this week.

Love it love it love it.

And...it's Friday. Amen.

She's Like the Weather

2013-05-02T10:37:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday this week it was 80 degrees out. Today is Thursday, May 2nd and we have a Winter Weather Advisory until 6PM. Get with the program Iowa, May is your redeeming month of the year.

I don't care how many theories there are on global warming, I live in Iowa and it's May and IT IS SNOWING. So yes, I mock you global warming.

On another note, Lucy has been crabtastic since the moment she woke up. Crying and whining...non stop. I had one of those really great parenting moments where I said "STOP CRYING!" which of course made her cry and cry and cry some more. And then, for a moment, I sort of wished I worked outside the home so I could get her dressed and drop her off at the babysitters.

I'm kidding. It was waaaay longer than a moment that I thought on that idea. Because there are days and moments where I want to trade one set of trials for a new set of trials...

But either way, there will be trials.

So today I will endure the endless whining, and tantrum throwing. The demands, the time-outs, and the potty training. Because in between all that, she crawls up next to me and says, "Mom, I loooooove you." and "I snuggle you" and "Mom, your hair is crazy."

She's right, my hair is crazy.

And tomorrow...she'll likely pop out of that bed with smiles and giggling.

Her moods change like Iowa's weather.

Ironic...

2013-04-29T12:42:00.001-05:00

So. Last week I wrote this post on Words. And then on Friday I got a call from my First Grade son's teacher about his choice of words.

Irony.

Oh Jake.

Ben and I like to joke that Jake is (almost) 8 going on 80. Like a grumpy old man in a young little body. He's not easily amused or impressed, and on any given day he's pretty easily annoyed by whatever and whomever. And his "filter" is, well...we're working on that.

It's just one of his quirks. I like quirks in people, it's what makes us, us. That being said, the kids has some great qualities too...and dimples. Dimples are like my kryptonite. All he has to do is smile...

At school on Friday one of Jake's classmates declared that it was going to be a great weekend, which Jake then replied something to the effect of "I hope you have the worst weekend ever."

When his teacher repeated what he said to me, I couldn't help but wish he'd been using some sarcasm...but he hadn't. Jake was annoyed, and blurted what popped in his head.

As I sat Jake down that afternoon to talk about it, I said that part of maturing was thinking about what we say before we say it. Filter 101. So we ask ourselves, Is this kind? Is this helpful?

And in the back of my brain God is whispering, do you hear yourself?

And as a parent, I was disappointed that he chose those words...but I've also been there. Or maybe I am there. I'm 35 years old, and I've learned to filter thoughts when in public. And, when you become a pastor's wife, God helps you install a double-filtration system for your tongue. It's like a requirement.

But at home...my filter is maybe not working so great. I'm quick to tell the kids all the things I think they are not doing right. Without really filtering if it's kind and helpful in training them. And I skip that part because I'm impatient and irritated.

And that's not ok.

So in the parsonage, we are all working on: Is it Kind? Is it helpful? And guess what?

It. Is. Hard.

I was trying to explain to Jake that it's a problem we all struggle with, even grown ups. But if we don't learn to tame our tongue we end up being rude and hurtful...and someone that people don't want to be around.

And that got me thinking...maybe the people who don't bother to filter what they say drive me so crazy because the rest of us are doing the work to filter! The hard work. It's like when I see people in pajama pants in public. It's not so much that I hate the pajamas (ok, maybe I do) but that if the rest of society goes through the effort of putting on some pants, then so should they.

Wait...was that kind? was that helpful? Hmmm. I'm not sure. See, still working on that. ;)

Never Too Late to Easter

2013-04-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

So technically Easter Sunday is long over. But it was so early this year (I like it later better) let's just pretend it wasn't that long ago.

Plus, I'm a Jesus Lover so every day is pretty much Easter.

Let's just do pictures.

I ordered Lucy's dress from Target online. I'm having her wear it to a wedding in June too. Double duty baby.

This is Nelson, laying in the sun with a fleece sweater on...wishing his family would move farther south and out of the cold.

Real life.

Exhausted. And yes, if you look at the chair in the background, that is indeed Lucy's artwork. In permanent marker.

Side note: I FINALLY made it through the entire The Passion of the Christ movie this year. I bawled a lot, and watched most of it from the other side of the house (because it just seemed more tolerable from farther away) but I did it. We also had the boys watch it too, because "Jesus died on the cross for our sins" was becoming a kitchy phrase they hear us say all the time and now...not so much.

So thankful for Jesus.

Words

2013-04-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite songs right now.

Words by Hawk Nelson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anVweXDcxhA

(Nelson is also the name of our dog. That's just bonus random info for you)

Words can build us up, words can tear us down. Start a fire in our hearts or put it out.

Let my words be life. Let my words be truth. I don't wanna say a word unless it points the world back to you.

I wanna speak Your love not just another noise.

The song speaks some serious truth. I'm not sure we truly realize the power we hold in our words. I'm also not sure that Christians listen to themselves all that much. I mean really listen to what we say in regular conversation on a daily basis.

It often reeks of selfishness, arrogance, pride, harshness and criticism.

Let's stop doing that. It makes us look like idiots.

And if someone points that out to us, we are quick to defend our reasons why we are justified in it...aren't we? Sometimes God whispers to me, do you hear yourself? Stop it.

And sometimes I want to say to other people, do you hear yourself? (but that generally does not go over well ;)

But in my head I'm asking it.

The Bible is clear. This is one of a ton of verses, the Bible is not silent on the tongue.

Proverbs 18:21

New International Version (NIV)

²¹The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

We have the power to speak life to those around us, our husbands, children, friends, family, neighbors, community and strangers. And internet land.

Or...we speak death. Which is another way of saying we crush people with our words, or tone, or our blabbering on and on about whatever.

Those around us, they hear us. Whether we want to be honest with ourselves or not is up to us. If you are brave find someone who will be honest with you and ask them the tough questions so that you can hear what you sound like. (and then when they tell you the truth, accept it.)

What consumes my conversations?

Am I quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry?

Who does most of the talking in conversations?

What does my attitude generally portray about me?

Am I an encourager or do I leave people feeling drained after being around me?

Where are my sights and perspectives? Focused on temporal or eternal?

Well, you get the idea. Go ahead, do it. I dare you. When I did it the first time...it wasn't pretty. But through God's grace the answers to those questions are changing.

The weird thing that I didn't expect, is that some people don't want to see you change! They view it as criticism against themselves...and/or other stuff I don't quite understand. So I go back to this truth: God called me from the way I was speaking, and to a way to control my tongue in order to bring life to those around me. I didn't make it up, and I can't do it on my own. In Him and through Him, because ultimately: I want to walk in obedience to Christ. Who gave His life for me.

That's it.

Lucy Turns 3

2013-04-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

Saturday we celebrated Lucy's third birthday. Well, we actually had a party for her the week before (with her cousin), which means we've totally confused her. She has another party on May 12th. Poor girl thinks birthdays happen at least three days a year.

I can't even explain how much pink she has brought into our lives.

And in case you were dieing to know...no, I did not make the cake.

Ha.

Three short years. From this:

To This:

She is so much fun. Happy Birthday Baby Girl. Now it's unofficially, officially time to start potty training. For real. Tomorrow...

Oh I Laughed...

2013-03-18T17:38:00.001-05:00

Last night the whole family was spread out on the couches watching our favorite Sunday night series, The Bible on the History channel. It got to the part where Jesus is in the desert, having fasted for 40 days and Satan arrives, in the form of a snake.

And then he's in the form of a sort-of human in a black cape...and when we saw his face both Ben and I gasped and looked at each other, and as our eyes met we knew we were having the very same thought.

"Don't say it!" I whispered at him. I didn't want the boys to hear us and repeat it.

But sure enough, one of the boys said "Satan looks like Barack Obama!"

And they were right. Here's a link to the picture.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the president, but I respect the office he holds...I also don't go around equating him with Satan...but I'm not gonna lie, I chuckled.

A lot.

Today I found an article from the producers of the show, they claim he bears no resemblance. Pffff. Again, I chuckled.

These are the things that entertain me during the Winter That Never Ends where I live.

The End.

Life in Random

2013-03-11T11:46:00.001-05:00

Let's Random, shall we?

It's March 11th and we have, yet again, another snow day. It hurts. Is it possible to overdose on Vitamin D supplements? In my head I keep chanting, spring is coming spring is coming spring is coming. Because it has to.
Lucy is going to be three next month. Wow. She loves Dora, Strawberry Shortcake and most recently: Spiderman. I love being home with her...even on the days that she makes me crazy.
I have a new baby niece named Ella. She is the cutest.

We have been watching The Bible on the History channel on Sunday nights. The boys love it. It's been a great opportunity for dialogue with them. They get annoyed with us pausing it all the time to tell them background info or to explain that certain parts of the movie didn't really happen like that. But it's the perfect opportunity to see the Bible come to life and fill in truth in their lives.

Spring is coming. Right?

Eleven Days

2013-02-01T11:20:00.000-06:00

Eleven days since my last post, yet it feels like I've lived eleven months worth of stuff in that time.

(Actually, it's now 14 days since my last post. I started this one three days ago and then something else *hit the fan* so to speak.) So it's a little inaccurate now. Whatever.

*Deep, deep sigh*

Today all the kids are finally back to school and the flu has hopefully left our house for good.

We had an ice storm, and then last night we had a thunderstorm. In January. Weird. It's like the weather is matching all the other crazy stuff going on.

(No worries though, because we also had a snow storm and school was cancelled three days this week...that's just part of the update for you. Confused yet? I am.)

Our tiny little church was a part of two funerals in the past two weeks.

And some things you think would never happen. Happen.

And you pray. And pray and pray and pray some more.

Because life sometimes...well, it's terribly messy. And hard. And sometimes walking with people through their hard stuff brings a unique kind of pain.

And sometimes you just want to blame it on the terrible month of January, and let yourself believe that if you can just make it to February 1st, it will be better.

Because maybe it will.

A few weeks ago, I came across this verse from our Bible Study and although I'd heard it before, I heard it that time in a new way.

John 16:33

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³³“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus sets the bar at trouble. "You will have trouble" Period. It's like He said to me, expect it. Don't be shocked, and certainly stop trying to live life in ways to avoid the trouble. Life is trouble. But Jesus has told me the things I need to know and hear, so that I can have peace. And then He gives a big, fat, fresh dose of perspective by reminding me that these current troubles, are just itty bitty in the scheme of things.

Big picture: He has overcome the world.

The world, and all the crap that it has to offer and throw at me...I can deal with because of Jesus.

He has won already.

Not Fun Stuff

2013-01-18T20:26:00.000-06:00

Jake has the flu. As in the doctor swabbed his nose and it's officially influenza b. Bleh. My heart hurts just looking at him...and I can't help thinking about the parents who have to watch their children suffer for much longer than the life of a flu virus. Perspective.

Lucy and I, because we spent the most time around him, are on tamiflu in hopes of avoiding it. We'll see if that works...

I was supposed to get my hair cut this morning. I had actual tears when I called the salon to try to reschedule. That's the bad thing about having such a great stylist...I'm on the cancellation list, but the soonest I could schedule an actual appointment is March 29th.

This is what my hair will look like by March 29th:

Thank you Google Images for this lovely photo.

I'm pretty sure I won't be wearing spandex pants by then though.

Pretty sure.

Keeping it Real

2013-01-16T16:54:00.000-06:00

Let's be honest...

People are crazy. All of us: Crazy.

There's this Pinterest quote I saw...

Love....or friendship, requires a mutual weirdness. It's funny. And true. I'm pretty sure that I will spend my whole life still learning about people and relationships. They're complicated, and wonderful and sometimes terribly frustrating.

I'm convinced that God uses the frustrating relationships in my life to refine me, and change me. I'm also convinced He uses them to help me value and appreciate those whose weirdness is compatible with mine.

As I look at my inner-circle of people, I can't help but smile at their weirdness. All unique. All crazy. And completely different.

I read an article awhile back about relationships, and it said something to the affect that we become a lot like the combination of the five people we spend the most time with. It went on to talk about Jesus, and His ministry to the masses as well as how he interacted with the few that were in His inner-circle. And it got me thinking. Who are my 5? Who's 5 am I in? And how are they affecting me and me affecting them?

Do I leave those in the inner better than I found them? Do I rub off on them positively or negatively? How do my mannerisms, thoughts, words, beliefs, actions change them? Are they better for having been in my presence?

Or...

Do I leave them feeling discouraged? Annoyed? Frustrated? Do I complain too much and listen too little? Is our relationship about my agenda, my needs, my everything?

Tough questions...but crucial. Sometimes tough questions require tough answers, and tough answers mean even harder changes.

Philippians 4:8

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I want my mouth and my life to match when it comes to this verse. I want to think and speak on those things FAR more than I vent and complain about their opposites. And that is hard.

But I didn't make it up. God did. And it sounds lovely.

Source: etsy.com via Olivia on Pinterest

A "Present"

2013-01-15T09:03:00.004-06:00

Yesterday Lucy was upstairs by herself (which is never a good idea) so I called up to see what she was doing.

She ran out of her brother's bedroom (again, never good) and proclaimed "I'm making you a present!"

How sweet, I thought.

"Lucy, can you come downstairs and make my present?" I asked, in a weak attempt to get her downstairs.

She smiled sweetly and exclaimed "Yes!"

I was surprised at her eagerness because usually I have to go up and chase her down. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, I could smell her stinky diaper. I said, "Lucy you're stinky!" and she smiled...

and pointed to her bottom and said "A present for you!"

Nice.

It's my own fault. Every time Ben is home, and I smell a dirty diaper (because I always smell it first) I say to him, "Lucy has a present for you!" My snarky wit has caught up with me.

I probably deserved that present.

And I should probably make myself start potty training her. Dude, I hate potty training.

Couple Things

2013-01-11T16:29:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Jackie, who did my last blog layout, I now have a button. My very own button...just like everyone else in blogland. I'll never be cutting edge, but at least I'm sorta caught-up instead of left behind.

You can get the code on the right sidebar

So. If you would like to post the cute little button on your blog, I'd more than love it. And, if you are already cool and have a button, please let me know so I can post it on mine...because it's all the rage. Or so I've heard.

She also tweaked my header for me, and it makes me happy. Feel free to let it make you happy to.

One last thing. The other day I tried to comment on my own blog and I realized HOW COMPLETELY ANNOYING those little pop-up boxes are that make you type in the squirrel-y letters. I tried half a dozen times and still couldn't get it right...which then made me smash my computer (only in my head, of course.)

In an effort to reduce your stress, and mine, I deleted the need for that dumb box...only to find out it does serve a purpose in blocking spammy annoying comments. Which finally leads me to my point: I enabled comment moderation. Which means none of the comments post until I allow them to. I've never had that enabled on my blog before and I just wanted to give you a heads up so that you didn't try posting a comment only to find that it didn't appear, and so you post it again, and nothing, until you finally realized it was moderated.

I *may* have learned that from experience.

Happy Friday to you!

Love

2013-01-10T08:57:00.001-06:00

So far in 2013 we have two family members getting married...well one is in January 2014, but within the next year...that's how I do math. A nephew and a first cousin (who is more like a niece because I'm that much older.) I love weddings. So fun.

And back in November we went to a lovely wedding that I mentioned here. In that post I linked to one of the songs that I fell in love with. Turns out, I'm also in love with the other song the bride had in her wedding.

In love with love songs, that's me.

So, for your enjoyment, I give you Hundred More Years. Makes me cry every.single.time I listen to it.

Currently

2013-01-09T09:41:00.000-06:00

Currently...

Listening: To Cinderella...Lucy's watching it in the other room.

Eating: Nutella. Lots and lots of Nutella.

Drinking: Black Coffee.

Wearing: The shirt I wore yesterday, slept in, and still currently have on. Someone needs to shower yet. Someone also has to get out of the habit of sleeping in their clothes.

Feeling: Peaceful. In the last several months, with some Holy Spirit nudging, I re-evaluated my things, relationships, habits, thoughts, emotions, and made some changes. At the time,it was less than pleasant but I'm beginning to see why God caused the shake-up...things were out of whack and now it is much, much better. Whoever said 'No Pain No Gain' was totally right.

Weather: This week has been warm. Because 35 in January in Iowa is warm.

Wanting: Spring to come quickly.

Needing: To keep my eyes on Jesus.

Thinking: I should get in the shower...

Enjoying: Hanging out everyday with my Lucy. She's a hoot.

A True Story...

2013-01-08T08:31:00.000-06:00

If you're not new to my blog/life you likely remember Julie. I haven't updated on her for awhile and thanks to a sweet comment from Amy@ My
Front Porch, I realized I should because frankly it's quite a good story.

If you need to get up to date, you can go to this post to get the back-story (for the record, I had to re-read to to figure out where I left off ;)

So. In 2009-2010 Julie (from Norway) was our exchange student. In May of 2010 she finished her year as an exchange student and went back to Norway to finish her last year of school there (they go 13 years.)

Through reasons that can only be explained by God, she decided to come back to Iowa to attend a University that is only about 15 minutes from our tiny town. If you read that last post about Julie, you'll see that I was really looking forward to getting a do-over with her. Our experience with her as an exchange student was wonderful. And crazy all at the same time.

We learned so much about teenagers. And parenting of teenagers. Boyfriends and dating and curfews and saying no and setting restrictions and enforcing and protecting. To Julie's credit, she was pretty easy-going as far as exchange students go. She took it in stride, and respectfully submitted...even if there were some tears involved. She never ran off and slammed her bedroom door. I remember Ben and I looking at each other many times and saying, "Our own kids are not going to act so graciously about our rules."

Her first year at college, I helped her move in and get settled. We occasionally had coffee together or she'd stop by the house, but I remember telling Ben that it wasn't quite the do-over I expected. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it seemed like there was something that was causing a distance between us. I became the "mom" who had to ask 20 questions in order to get any information.

And then late in the winter or early spring she went on a retreat with a group of college kids from her church. (Julie just shared her testimony about this retreat at her church's college group, and the Pastor sent me the CD so I could hear it, so it's how I know the inside-story :) During the retreat they were encouraged to really sit quietly with God to see if there were areas in their life that they needed to ask forgiveness in order to move on...and other stuff.

Julie was reminded of something that had happened when she lived with us as an exchange student. I do not know that details of the event (Thank you Jesus) but it involved her lying to Ben and I. She felt convicted and knew God wanted her to call and apologize to us. She shares in her testimony that she did NOT want to make that call. She did her best to rationalize that it was in the past, and really wasn't necessary to bring it up again. But the gut feeling wouldn't ease, and she made the call.

When she called, she was crying so hard I could barely understand what she was saying. I knew she was apologizing for something that had happened when she lived here...and it didn't matter what it was or the details...but I knew without a doubt that she was sorry and that God was moving in her life. I reassured her that all was forgiven, and that we loved her, and that we were so proud of her for doing the hard thing and being obedient to God's nudging.

I hung up that phone so incredibly humbled for the opportunity to be a part of Julie's life. Our greatest desire had always been to encourage her in her faith. To witness her doing the hard things necessary to grow was beyond worth it!

And it opened the door for that do-over that I had so looked forward to. :) The guilt that she had felt had hindered our relationship...without either of us really knowing it. God taught both of us something really valuable...when he nudges us to do something, even if we think or want it to be invalid: It's not. He wants us to do the hard things because He knows it's what brings us freedom. We have a closeness now that we didn't have before.

This year, Julie is already a Junior in college and is working as a RA (Resident's Assistant) and she's interning at the (quite large) church she attends. God is using her life, and her testimony and we are so very proud of the woman that she is allowing God to shape her into. She stops in for visits, and every now and then stays for a couple days...and we feed her.

Occasionally we reminisce about the events that lead her here to tiny town Iowa. I'm still in awe that we even decided to have an exchange student in the first place! It seemed like a crazy idea, but isn't that just like God? He works in the crazy, unexpected ways.

Julie is and will always be one of our family. And I'm not gonna lie...I'm really hoping she falls in love with an American boy that loves Jesus as much as she does. But I'll let God write that story...but I can still hope. ;)

Here's our Christmas card this year...and then I promise no more Christmas pictures till next year.

Side Note: I'm working on an "interview" for Julie so that she can answer some questions on the blog. If you have any questions you might like to ask her (i.e. How annoying is the parsonage family?) go ahead and leave a comment for email me and I will add it to the list. Fun, right!?!

Better Late Than Never...

2013-01-05T11:23:00.001-06:00

Here's some random pictures of our Christmas(s).

Just because.

This picture makes me laugh. It's what happens when I hand the camera to Ben. At least it proves I was there.

Better Than a Click

2013-01-04T16:16:00.001-06:00

I came across some wisdom (via the internet) that has really sort of stuck in my brain the last few days.
The first is via my internet friend, Lindsay. I've read her blog since I started blogging...so we're talking years. It's good stuff. She posted on FB a little blip about blogging:
" well, I'm finding that even if I'm the only one that reads my own... it's still worth something. It's more than clicking like ... and I know it's something my family will treasure for years to come ..."
That resonated with me, because I like to like stuff on Facebook because it's quick and easy...but it matters about as much as the effort it takes to do it. But my blog, no matter how insignificant, is still worth something...to me and my family.

Lindsay is right. No matter how lame it may get, a blog post is still worth more than a click.

Yesterday, I was reading Mindy's post on being intentional and it just resonated with me.
Being intentional, and staying intentional are not my natural bent. It's something that God definitely started a work in my heart this past year, and He's far from finished. Being intentional while at the same time leaving some freedom for the Holy Spirit to intervene and move is a tricky dance sometimes. So, I'm making a list of areas that need some work yet...and then praying God messes with the list as He sees fit.

Hoping to share the list with you soon.

Today

2013-01-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

Because someday I might want to remember what I did today. Or not. Whatever, at least it's a post.

Woke up at 5:45 to run with Billlie. Hadn't run since before Christmas and it was freeeezing out and we sorta slid all over but it's still better than the treadmill! This months marks 6 years we've been running together. That's just craziness. I ordered new running shoes from Eastbay. I've been having hip flexor issues so I stretched today. Yay me.
In our house, we say "Yay!" and "Woo Hoo!" after stuff. And by we, I mean me. And now Lucy. It cracks me up.
Boys had their first day back to school after Christmas break. Everyone was rip-roaring ready to go, which surprised me. Apparently we've had enough "together" time.
Spent time thinking about my friend Steph, and her son Tate. Today marks two years in Heaven for Tate...and he's missed terribly.
Loaded up Lucy and her buddy Ryder and we headed to the town where our bank resides and then went to Wal-Mart (which I loathe but it was early and it was ok and there is no Target there.) While there I decided we should probably get a new printer/scanner/copier because ours is eight years old now and super moody. Plus it was reasonably priced and the ink was way cheaper than our current old model. I went with an HP again because DUDE, the last one lasted EIGHT YEARS! Plus, it said it was wireless and that just makes me happy.
Drove through McDonald's and got coffee and cookies. (3 cookies for $1 is amazing if you ask me.) The kids didn't want the cookies. Their loss, my gain. Literally.
Came home and fixed computer all.by.myself. Our laptop battery had died awhile ago so per my brothers instructions I ordered one from Amazon because they are dirt cheap. Thank you China. Anyways, the battery worked but would not charge. So I Googled, and uploaded new BIOS (no idea what that is) and BAM problem fixed. Yay! Woo HOO!
Then I set up the new printer. All. by. myself. So what if it took all day... I was also caring for some preschoolers. Multi-tasking at its finest.
Drank a Pepsi.
Combed Lucy's hair.
Meanwhile I kept calling Ben to inform him of my progress because I knew he'd be so super impressed with my skills.
Took Nelson out in the frigid cold to pee approximately 8 times. He hates the cold.
Did some laundry...it's still sitting in the baskets, but it's clean.
Pondered grief for a bit and realized that I have a lot to learn about life from my 11 year old. He celebrates his friends life, and misses him, but he doesn't dwell on what could have been...because he accepts what is. He reminds me where Tate is, and Heaven is perfection. And he smiles when he talks about him, because he's taking Tate with him until they meet again, where they'll play video games for eternity.
Made supper. Frozen, breaded parmesan chicken breast things that are basically glorified chicken nuggets. But with some cheese and buffalo sauce they are gourmet. Oh, we also had instant mashed potatoes because we are healthy like that.
Thought about how I need to start potty training Lucy. And then decided to procrastinate.
Started cleaning off the desk, and then got distracted by blogging.
Blogged.
New book came in the mail from Amazon. Now I have two I need to start. ASAP.
Just remembered that Eli has basketball practice in 45 minutes.
Getting off the computer.

Good Start

2013-01-02T10:27:00.003-06:00

Thank you so much for your sweet, encouraging comments on my last post. It was just what I needed, so thank you for taking the time to write.

New Year's Day is one of my favorite days simply because we can lay around and do nothing and it ends up being lovely. We spent a lot of the day watching my new favorite show via Netflix, Hart of Dixie. Seriously, I adore it. It's kinda quirky like my beloved Gilmore Girls.

I did end up having to make a Target-run to get one of the boys some more cough medicine. I was amazed at all the stuff that was on clearance. And by the stuff that was not on clearance. Of course.

I picked up some new notebooks and a planner. New Year = New Notebooks.

And shoes on clearance. I also bought a shirt for $5 but the pic won't load. I'll try again later...since it's so very important for you to see it. *cough*

And since I'm stuck in the frozen tundra, a new candle to make it smell tropical. It's like a $10 vacation.

For supper we tried a new Pinterest recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup. It was super. The kids didn't like it, but what do those Ramen-lovers know anyways? And as I write this I can't remember how to get Pinterest recipes on here because it's been so long since I blogged regularly. Add that to my to do list: Figure stuff out.

Which reminds me...what the heck is Google+ and how/why do I want to use it? I know I'm in it, I just don't have a clue. I have lot's to figure out, but looking forward to getting back in the groove.

I'm hoping to join some blog link things in an effort to stay accountable to posting. I generally hide from those sorts of things...but it you have one that you are a part of and love, then I'd be happy to copy you. ;)

Good Bye & Hello

2012-12-31T16:30:00.000-06:00

I think I've got my blog block figured out, just in time to say good bye to 2012 and hello to 2013.

I let a remark get under my skin. And it tainted everything I tried to write.

But today...something is different.

I've been reminded of why I write.

To whom I write...

And that I'm called to write...even when I'm misunderstood. Even when others read between lines that were not meant to be read between. Even when false assumptions are made, and people disagree.

It's a life lesson, really. Who will control me? Who will control what I'm called to do? Will it be my God, or will it be random people? Who will I fear? Who will I please?

God reminded my heart that of course some are not going to get it. Of course some are going to disagree. Of course some are going make assumptions. And He gave me my spunk back, by whispering...who cares? So what?

Just write.

And so I will. *smile*

Trying to Figure it Out

2012-12-20T17:38:00.000-06:00

You know you have some issues when you've started several posts, but have yet to finish them because you can't quite say what you really want to say in the way you want to say it.

I'm working through that..and it has to do with this blog. And when I figure it out, I'll let you know. ;)

Maybe just posting this will help...

In the mean time, have a very Merry Christmas!

Fine By Me

2012-12-05T11:26:00.001-06:00

Eli had a school Christmas concert on Monday night. My boys loathe vocal concerts. I'm afraid they've inherited that from me. Anyways. We don't generally make the boys dress up for church except on holidays...and even then I use the term "dressed up" loosely. Eli, by far my most easy-going child, muttered under his breath while I made him tuck in his shirt and clip on his tie.

And then, he caught a glimpse of himself as he passed by the full length mirror in the hallway. I watched him back up and do a double take. He cracked a smile, acknowledging that even if the clothes weren't the most comfortable...they did make him look extra handsome.

Funny how that works.

As we walked into the concert he informed me he wouldn't actually be singing but rather just moving his lips. I think he was surprised to hear me say "Fine by me!" Little does he know, I've mouthed my way through many a concerts myself.

He did an excellent job of pretending to sing. Nice work, buddy.