Anyone have good advice for backing up two year's worth of blog ramblings? Other than going through post by post, I'm not sure how to do it. Yikes! I don't have time to do that. Guess I should have thought of this sooner.
There's just something about the new year that makes me seriously contemplate life. I'm not quite sure what it is. Other than the passage of time, there is no difference between December 31st at 11:59 p.m. and January 1st at 12:00 a.m. I guess it's the possibilities a new year brings. A chance to make changes...to continue striving towards the goal.
I journaled extensively yesterday during my quiet time. As I poured out my heart to the Lord, my mind turned to the practicality of my goals. Looking over the list, I began to see a need to quantify what I was hoping to accomplish. Goals need to be specific. There needs to be some way to measure whether or not we have achieved what we set out to do. Though maybe a noble goal, "To become a better person" is difficult the assess.
My main goal for 2008 is to know the LORD more deeply by the end of the year than I do now. Again, a great goal, but how will I know if I have succeeded? Here comes the practical part. I have determined to memorize one new scripture verse a week pertaining to some area the LORD is speaking to me about. As I meditate on the verse, hiding it in my heart, I am coming to know the Author more deeply. Just think, at the end of the year that's 52 verses committed to memory. This week's verse pertains to my words. If you've been reading here awhile, you might remember I have a certain affinity for sticking my foot in my mouth. "Anyone who guards what he says guards his life. But anyone who speaks without thinking will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:3
Another place the rubber meets the road is my exercise goal. Ugh...I even hesitate to make goals like these because, as I've mentioned many times, I hate to exercise. Mentally battling myself each day is not cutting it. I need something more and since Jillian (the kick butt trainer from The Biggest Loser) is not knocking on my door offering her services, I came up with another solution. A friend and I are going to work towards running a 5K together. Luckily this friend LOVES to exercise, teaches kick boxing even. It's all about accountability my friend. Maybe I can get her to dress in all black and act tough like Jillian. Nah, Linz, you're too nice!
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” - Jim Rohn
“Time is the justice that examines all offenders.” - William Shakespeare
“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” - Henry Van Dyke
“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.” - Thoreau
Time. It's a funny thing. Mike said to me recently he wished he had a few more hours in each day. Maybe an extra 120 minutes would help him mark a few more things off his to-do list and leave a bit more time for relaxing. That's the funny thing about time. It's much like water. It will fill whatever container it is placed in. If adding more time to our day would solve our problem of busyness, I'd be all for it. I have a hunch that were we granted those extra moments, we would find other things to fill them with.
2007 brought a lot of change for our family. Someone once said, "The only constant is change." While change may be inevitable, I would have to disagree with the premise. I have found the only constant in my life is Christ. He is what sustained us through our year of uncertainty.
As I look at 2007 in our rearview mirror, I see some times that felt, well, quite long. Seasons that at times I felt would never end. Transitions, changes...they're all part of life, some are just a bit more fun than others.
I have no idea what lies behind the door marked 2008. Whatever it is, we will face it with the assurance that He knows the plans He has for us and has promised they are for our good and not for evil.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
I think it's some sort of right of passage....the whole Santa thing I mean. Our oldest has done a great job of keeping the Santa secret. He loves playing along and I can tell he feels like he's in on something clandestined and grown-up. I believe he is too.
This morning I overheard him telling his younger brothers that they probably won't be getting everything on their list because, "Santa's on a budget". Yep, that's my boy. Oh wait, who am I kidding? I can take absolutely no credit for any sort of budgeting gene he may have inadvertantly inherited.
Speaking of Christmas things near and far...Someone mentioned on my last post that they had never heard "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". You are seriously missing out! It ranks right up there with Alvin and the Chipmunks singing "Christmas don't be Late". Now please tell me you've heard that one?
So here you go. If looking at photos of the back end of a hippo doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will!
Dec. 19, 2007 - I want a hippopotamus for Christmas and other random thoughts
What could be better than spending five hours shopping with four children? Why, spending five hours shopping with four children who are all trying to decide what to buy for one another while sticking to their budget and attempting to hide their purchases of course! Wow. At one point I said to my youngest son that if he did not make a decision soon we would still be standing in the aisle when they put things on sale AFTER Christmas. I was only half kidding.
We rested a bit and enjoyed some pizza at Target. OK, maybe 'enjoyed' isn't the best choice of words, but the kids seemed to like it. The best part is we made it home with smiles and good attitudes intact...even Mom! We did get a few grins in Wal-Mart as we walked through the store singing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". What a great song!
Now we're home and though my body is begging for a nap, there are gifts to wrap, pumpkin bread to bake and boys to be carted to basketball practice. I've done pretty well at not riding the Christmas Express this year. Thankful today's busyness was the exception this season and not the rule.
Nov. 13, 2007 - Pardon me while I pry my foot out of my mouth
There we go. Much better.
We've all got one. We carry it around in our purse or pocket, keeping it hidden until we really need it. If the situation presents itself, we pull it out and climb up. Arms crossed and head held high, we make sure everyone within earshot can hear what's on our minds. What am I talking about? Why, my soapbox of course. Surely I'm not the only one. You have one don't you?
Those who talk a lot are likely to sin. But those who control their tongues are wise. Proverbs 10:19
These are the words running through my head as I climbed down off said soapbox tonight and realized I had completely run over someone while letting myself be heard. Good grief! When will I learn to just keep my mouth shut? Isn't that what a blog is for? Oh no, that's just another form of my soapbox.
Maybe I should just become a mute.
No, that won't do.
I think I need to consider my words more carefully...and ask the Lord to keep His hand over my mouth!
Whew! That was a rather long and unplanned blogging break. We had a wonderful time with Mike's parents visiting from Idaho. What a great little piece of home. While they were with us we celebrated Miss Emma's third birthday, then "chicken cheating" (Emma's interpretation of "trick or treating"), several children sick with the stomach ickies, squeezing school in here and there...you get the idea.
After all that, it's time to gear up for the holidays. Hopefully no one reading this blog already has their shopping done, wrapped and hidden in the closet. I've read about people like you! It will be here in a flash and no amount of procrastination is going to stop it. So rather than lament the fact that Wal-Mart is already playing Christmas music, I have decided to embrace the spirit of the season and jump in with both feet...even though it is 85 degrees in Texas and those feet are still sporting flip-flops! Good grief!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Everywhere you go.
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well.
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
Are you singing with me? Now, where is that Santa hat?
Life is hard sometimes. There are no two ways about it. How many of us are willing to admit when we struggle? I'm not one to jump up and shout it out. Oh, I can list a myriad of reasons why I keep smiling, but if I want to be gut wrenchingly honest it all comes down to pride. Ouch! Am I unwilling to share my struggles because of what others might think? How they may respond? What they may think of me? That's pride, plain and simple.
I was thinking recently about my closest friends and how our relationships got to where they are today. Many of them resulted out of difficult or shared circumstances or situations that threw us together and formed a closer bond. We saw each other at our best and our worst and grew closer as a result. I didn't have to worry about what they may think or how they might respond. Our bond was solidified by honesty and openness.
A new friend e-mailed today and asked how my day was going. My normal response would have been, "Fine", all the while knowing that was not the case. I guess you can say I've come to a point in my life that I don't have time for surface relationships. The whole process of building new relationships and starting over has frankly been emotionally exhausting. I don't want to spend time building friendships all the while wearing a mask. Nope. Not gonna do it. So instead of my pat answer, I told her I was feeling blue and having a tough day.
As a piece of my mask fell to the floor, I felt a sense of freedom.
Yep. That's how I've been feeling lately. Plenty to do, but not an ounce of desire to get it done.
I've tried the self-medication route...you know - dark chocolate, coffee and Dr. Pepper. How's that working you ask? Not so much. We're getting the basics done in school, but not much more. Even my blogging has been completely uninspired. Not that you all run to your computers each morning to see what wisdom I have to dispense, but honestly I haven't even felt like writing. Unusual for me. I just feel...BLAH. I am thankful that despite how I feel, God doesn't change. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Now that's something to smile about!
On a completely unrelated point, I cut the end of my finger off last night (pun intended). Yes I did. I'll spare you the gory details, but suffice it to say I should stay away from those fancy slicer dicer things. They slice very well. A little too well. I dare say they should only be used by a trained professional...or at least someone who takes the time to read the directions.
Today's the day. I've put it off long enough. Vanity aside, I can't risk getting pulled over and being mistaken for a terrorist. You see, here in Texas you have 30 days to apply for a drivers license. If you are pulled over with Texas registration and an out of state licence, you will quickly be hauled off to jail. Who knows what political ulterior motives a mom of four driving a Suburban might have.
So here's the problem. I don't want to get a new licence because...I like my old drivers license picture. How many people can say that? OK, I realize this shows a bit of my vain side, but come on. It's a really good picture!
Today is not a good day to have a mug shot taken. Hormones seem to have taken control of my face, leaving me with something slightly resembling a unicorn's horn directly between my eyes. Sharing my dire concerns with my husband, he remarked, "Can't you just put a patch over it or something?" Luckily he made the comment over the phone so I was unable to smack him. Lest you think he is a totally uncaring male, he was kidding.
I've also aged...considerably...since the last photo. OK, so it was only taken last year, but I feel much older. The bags under the eyes seem to be vying for more space on my face lately. As for the weight issue, I have purposely not weighed myself in a few weeks in preparation for this day. When the nice man behind the counter looks at my current license and inquires as to whether my weight is correct, I will be able, in all good conscience, to reply "Yes sir, it is".
I was doing a little blog hopping this afternoon while the kids are doing their quiet reading and ran across a great post on gratitude over at I have to say. It got me thinking about my own list.
Today I am thankful for ~
One day of cooler temperatures. I could open the windows and pretend for a moment it was fall.
The way my sweet Emma says her prayers every chance she gets.
Being blessed by Austin's thoughtfulness before we even woke up this morning. He awoke early to the sound of the garbage truck. Remembering that we had forgotten to take the cans to the curb, he quickly got up and took them out. What an awesome young man he is becoming.
The way Greyson can't walk past me without a hug.
Connor's ability to make me laugh one moment and think deeply the next.
The sweet smell of a blossoming friendship.
The indulgence of a second cup of coffee this afternoon as the boys and I snuggled up to hear the next chapter from our current read aloud.
Expecting my husband home early today. It makes my heart happy.
Looking forward to time spent tonight building new friendships.
I just finished reading about Angel's decision to stop blogging because of the negative impact it is having on her life. Jenn at Along the Narrow Path posted similar thoughts on Sunday. Interestingly enough, I received an e-mail from a friend just today stating the same thing. Blogging has taken up so much of her time that other areas of her life were suffering. As a result, she too has stopped blogging. Apparently, this is an issue dear to the hearts of many moms. I have to say I admire these women for making such a difficult decision. Quitting anything cold turkey is tough. I pray the Lord will bless them for following His leading in this area of their lives.
It brings up some good questions. Why do we blog? What makes us pour out our hearts on the world wide web to people we've never met? Connection? Creativity? Control? Is blogging a good thing? Can it have a negative side? I'm just wondering out loud here. Seeing these ladies struggle with the same issue raises questions. I would love to hear your thoughts.
About this time each year I begin to get the fall itch. No, it's not something I picked up while hiking. I'm talking about seeing summer in my rear view mirror. I'm ready for cooler nights, pumpkins, candles, tailgating at college football games and my favorite sweater. From what I gather from talking to the Natives (Texas natives that is), I won't be needing that sweater for a few more months. At this rate, we'll be gathered round the Thanksgiving table in our shorts and flip-flops. I'm sorry, but there's just something wrong with that picture.
In lieu of cooler temperatures I decided to at least give my blog a little fall update. How about you? What's the weather like where you are? What are you doing to get ready to settle into fall? Maybe I can live vicariously through you.
I am headed out this afternoon for a fantastic all-girl weekend. A friend and I are going shopping, out for an early dinner (I'm thinking Cheesecake Factory and some serious Godiva Chocolate cheesecake!) and then to the Women of Faith Conference. Phenomenal worship and inspiring speakers...I am so excited I can hardly stand it!
On a completely unrelated conference note...if you've been to a WOF or similar conference I'm sure you've seen the TWO men usually sitting, a bit hunched in their seats, amidst the sea of women. Talk about drowning in estrogen. I don't know whether to applaud them or pity them.
I'm sure I'll have lots to share when we get home. How about you? Ever been to a conference? I'd love to hear your favorite memories.
I want to give a huge shout to Diann at Paint Puddles. What an incredibly talented lady she is! She recently blessed me with a wonderful gift package. I received a t-shirt, notepad and note cards with the adorable coffee cup image on them. Hmmm...wonder how she knew I liked coffee? Click on the link above and check out all the different themes. She has something for everyone and you are sure to find something that will strike your fancy.
You can also visit Diann as she writes about her Full Life. Stop by and say hello. I bet you'll make a new friend in the process.
On Monday nights I spend an hour twisting my body into completely unnatural positions. I believe they call it yoga/Pilates. I won't tell you what I call it. This week, in between thoughts of, "she wants me to do WHAT? Yeah right!" and contemplating the certainty of my impending death, I wondered what you guys do for exercise.
Yes, I really did think of all of you while twisting myself into something closely resembling a pretzel.
Yes, I really was blogging in my head while listening to "positive energy in, negative energy out"...yada, yada, yada...WHATEVER! Come on. You can't tell me you don't find yourself blogging at strange moments. Please tell me I'm not the only one.
Besides the once a week torture session, I walk up and down the stairs to my computer. Don't laugh...it's something. I also walk right past my treadmill on the way to the computer and mentally beat myself up for not having set foot on it since we moved. Sigh...
OK, so who would like to answer my bloggity exercise question? What do you do to keep yourself in shape? More importantly, how do you keep motivated to exercise? You would think looking in the mirror would be enough to motivate me, but alas, it doesn't seem to be working. Please people, share your secrets!
I started blogging in November of 2005. I must admit, prior to reading an article in TOS I was pretty clueless about the whole world of blogging. Intrigued by what I read, I jumped in with both feet. If you've been reading here long, you will recognize my tendency to approach much of life that way. I joke that I began blogging as a means of free therapy. I'm only partially kidding. I felt it would be an excellent creative outlet for all the crazy things running around in my head just begging to be let out. I honestly had no idea the impact blogging would have on my life or how the Lord would use my blog to bless others. It continues to be an amazing experience.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been blessed with some wonderful awards from blogging friends. It has left me humbled and a bit speechless. I wanted to take a minute to thank some people. I feel a bit like I should be wearing a sparkly dress and dabbing my eyes with a tissue while standing on a red carpet.
I have just recently met Trish at An Ordinary Life Artist. What a sweet lady she is. Visiting her site is like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a friend. Thank you Trish for the Inspirational Blogger Award. Your post made me laugh. Funny, I never would have thought that coffee could be inspirational, but I guess it can!
Nikki at Kindred Heartsgraciously awarded me the Blogger Reflection award. I cried when I read what she wrote about me...seriously. I love the way Nikki loves her house full of boys. She is a devoted, adoring pastor's wife and mommy to three awesome boys and she obviously loves every minute of it. I enjoy reading her "Simple Pleasures" list...we have so much in common! Wouldn't it be awesome to meet all these great ladies in person some day? Thank you so much Nikki. Your kind words blessed me immensely.
Lastly, some sweet reader recently nominated me for the Rockin' Girl Blogger award. Try as I might, I can not find the comment from the person who nominated me. Please forgive me and if you could comment again, I would love to say THANK YOU!
I give all the glory to the Lord for what He has done with this blog. Honestly. Who else could take the rantings and ramblings of a sahm and turn them into something to bless others? It's a God thing. Funny how we go into something with one idea and the Lord has something completely different in mind! Serving God rocks doesn't it?
Since this post has already gotten a bit wordy, I will post again after I've given some thought to who I would like to pass on the awards to. Hey, I thought I said I was speechless! Ha!
Jul. 30, 2007 - Pain in my wallet and my coffee cup!
If you stopped by today looking for some spiritual encouragement, or possibly a new decorating tidbit, you have come to the wrong place. Sorry...check back next week.
Today I am ranting about Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks has raised their prices yet again. OK, I realize the price of milk has sky rocketed. I paid $4.14 at Wal-Mart last week. So I'm paying more for the gas to fill the car, to get to the store, to buy the milk, to feed the family that consumes the milk that lives in the house that Mike built. Good grief! Now my one guilty pleasure is also going to cost me more. I can't help myself. I adore their coffee. Mike says I'm a coffee snob. I beg to differ. I just enjoy a good great cup of joe. Can someone please tell me what's wrong with that? Part of my addiction can be blamed attributed to my dear friend who use to work at Starbucks. She brought me home pounds and pounds of the wonderful beans for FREE. Yes, free. Now you see my dilemma. I have gone from FREE to facing the possibility of selling a kidney in order to feed my habit.
Guess I'll go drown my sorrows in a cup of Folgers...sorry, just doesn't have the same effect.
I wanted to take a minute to chat about a few neat additions to my blog. I love playing around with things. If you were to visit my home you would quickly notice one of my favorite hobbies is rearranging furniture. My blog is much like my home. I love to change things up occasionally.
Trish at An Ordinary Life has blessed me with the Fruit of the Spirit award. Wow...thanks Trish. One of my main blogging goals is to point people to Jesus. This doesn't by any means indicate I'm perfect (good grief NO!), but merely attempting to daily live a Spirit-led life. I spent much of my life trying to BE the Fruit of the Spirit. This led to a constant feeling of disappointment, knowing I could never measure up. What a relief to finally recognize it's not what I do, but who I am.
The Fruit of the Spirit is CHARACTER rather than CONDUCT - BEING rather than DOING.
I've also added the Training Loving Hearts award for families desiring to raise our children with the primary focus of training their hearts. Check out Tamara's blog and add your name to the list.
Lastly, a huge hat tip to Kindred Hearts for introducing me to Finetune. What an awesome site! I was able to create a playlist filled with my favorite songs. Not only can I play them on my computer while I work, but I've added them here for you to listen to as well. I pray the music will set a worshipful tone to your day. What a difference worship music makes in my life. It is an awesome reminder of why I am living and breathing today.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
