“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."
Happy 2008!
Not quite sure how to potty train your little one? Bribe them with Disneyland!
Here's the scoop on the poop (sorry, I couldn't resist!). We have been struggling with Emma for over a year on the second half of potty training. We have tried everything...literally. Can't watch her favorite TV show? No problem for her. No sweets? OK, she can deal with that. She actually asked one day what I was going to take away next. Tell me she is not a bright child! She simply refused to do what she knew we wanted her to do.
Now, before you start leaving me comments about the merits of positive reinforcement, we tried that route too. Sticker charts, candy, heaps of praise, clapping, hugging, parades through the house...yep, we tried it all.
Enter Mickey Mouse. Yes,
You know what? It worked! She is so excited about going to Disneyland that she has decided she is now a big girl and will go in the potty.
Please don't ask me what would have happened if the whole smelly mess had blown up in my face. We won't go there.
Suffice it to say we are even more excited to not have to deal with potty training while at Disney. Hey, maybe it really IS the happiest place on earth!
Happy post Christmas sigh...Mike has the week off and all sense of scheduling has been thrown to the wind. The Christmas rush has been replaced by sleeping in, lingering over a cup of coffee, staying in my jammies, watching movies and taking naps. Oh, don't forget eating Christmas cookies for breakfast. Don't gasp in horror...you've done it too!
Our first Christmas in Texas was a mix of new experiences and old traditions. Spending time with family and new friends made for many wonderful memories. I have so many photos to download off my camera that it will take me a month of Sundays to complete. Dealing with the overwhelming number of images stored in my computer is sure to find its way in some form onto my list of New Year's resolutions come January, but that's for another post.
There were two HUGE surprises in our family this Christmas. NO, I am NOT pregnant! That would be a huge surprise to everyone...myself included. The first surprise was for my dear husband. I had a custom oil painting done of his favorite place on earth, the Sawtooth Mountains. This is where he grew up camping with his family, where he took us camping as a family and where he proposed to me. It turned out absolutely amazing don't you think?
He loves it and we both cried. Of course after I had been telling him for two months how much he was going to love his gift, he had no choice but to cry. I was fully expecting it! He may have been crying knowing full well I had blown our Christmas budget out the window, but he cried none the less.
Our other big surprise has to do with a castle, a mouse, Star Wars, lots of chocolate and best friends. We're taking the kids to Disneyland and our best friends from Idaho are meeting us there! We leave in 22 days. That's 22 days to find a good pair of shoes that will withstand a week of standing in line and chasing children all over southern California. Sore tootsies are sure to make me an unhappy camper at "the happiest place on earth". That certainly won't do.
Yes, our first Christmas in Texas was definitely one to remember. I hope yours was as well.
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!
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.
Want to wow your family and friends for Christmas dinner? Try this delicious cheesy potato recipe. It is sure to leave them clamoring for the recipe. Mmmm...cheesy goodness in a pan!
Cheesy Party Potatoes
2 lb. bag frozen hash browns
1 tsp. each salt and pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup melted butter
Mix above ingredients together.
In a separate bowl, combine
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups (16 oz container) sour cream
Mix with hash brown mixture.
Pour into greased 9X13" pan.
Sprinkle 2 cups of corn flakes on top.
Pour 1/4 cup of melted butter over the top.
Bake 1 hour at 350.
OK, just one more "happy holidays" rant...then I'll stop...maybe. One of my long-time Idaho friends sent me this great poem from the Urban Homemaker. Thanks Michelle!
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday ‘.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;
it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your
‘Dream Tree’ Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
Wish I could take credit for this one. Guaranteed to make you think.
Obituary for Common Sense - Mr. Common Sense
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but around less and less as time passed by.
Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance because Common Sense had served us all so well for many generations.
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as, 'knowing when to come in out of the rain,' 'why the early bird get the worm,'
'life isn't always fair,' and 'maybe it was my fault.'
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. His health declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when a person couldn't defend himself from a burglar in his own home and the burglar could sue the home resident for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little of the hot coffee in her lap and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers - I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim .
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Let me say it again. God. Is. AWESOME.
I am in awe of Him. Seems every time I turn around I am viewing evidence of God at work, not only in my own life, but the lives of people around me. Not simply the "oh, isn't that a nice coincidence" sort of thing, but the "that couldn't be anything but God" sort of thing. It almost leaves me speechless...which is amazing in itself!
God is working all around us, but oftentimes we are too busy to recognize the hand of the Creator. Once you begin to see things for what the truly are, you find yourself looking even harder, not wanting to miss a single thing. Every moment could bring something amazing...one more reason to praise Him.
The thing I find even more amazing is that He chooses to use me in what He's doing. He certainly doesn't need me to get things done. I'm pretty confident the God of the Universe could accomplish His purposes without me. What an incredible privilege it is to be a part of the work He is doing in people's lives. Wow.
Lord, help me to have heaven eyes today. To look at the world around me with an eternal perspective, not missing out on the miracles you are doing. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Your work here on earth.
Apparently the Killary Hillary campaign thinks Americans are not the brightest sheep in the flock. They seem to be taking the "sin first, ask forgiveness later" approach when it comes to campaigning, thinking the ends certainly justify the means. I believe Nixon tried that already. Where is Deep Throat when you need him?
The liberal news media is no better. CNN knew nothing about the affiliation of the questioners they chose to use during the last Republican debate? Give me a BREAK! I just hope the average American sheep can see past the incredible media bias and make a well informed decision.
Stuart Shephard from Focus on the Family sheds some light on the current political jungle. The Democrats attempts to camouflage themselves is weak at best and certainly doesn't leave them smelling too rosy. Stuart hits the nail (or should I say daisy?) right on the head.